Reginald Phillips, 1903

Below also see: Reginald Phillips, 1908 – Bestiality

 

The Albury Banner and Wodonga Express, Fri 19 Jun 1903 ¹

    STEALING A SADDLE.—At the police court on Wednesday, Reginald Phillips was charged with stealing a saddle, the property of John Wyatt. Constable Condie deposed to having arrested the prisoner. John Wyatt, a contractor, identified a saddle produced as his property, which he had missed about 22nd May from the stable on his premises. William Rumble, a dealer, deposed to having purchased the saddle from accused on 10th June for 7s 6d. Prisoner, who elected to be dealt with summarily and pleaded guilty, was sentenced to pay a fine of £5, or be imprisoned for three months. The presiding magistrates were Messrs JF Maloney and J Brann.

 

---

Reginald Phillips, 1908

The Albury Banner and Wodonga Express, Fri 2 Oct 1908 ²

DISTRICT NEWS.
————
COROWA.
(From Our Own Correspondent.)

Monday, September 28.

…
    At the local police court on Tuesday last, before Mr R Hughes, JP, Reginald Phillips was arraigned on a charge of committing an unnatural offence. After hearing the evidence the Bench committed accused to stand his trial at the Wagga Circuit Court on 30th September.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Wagga Wagga Advertiser, Sat 3 Oct 1908 ³

ITEMS OF NEWS.

———
ACCIDENT OF A JOCKEY.

    The enjoyment of the spectators at the LV Race Meeting on Thursday was somewhat marred by an accident which occurred during the hurdle race. Zillah, ridden by W Leech, was clearing the hurdle in front of the grandstand, and striking the top rail fell. The rider was thrown clear, but the horse in rolling over struck him. Leech was picked up in an unconscious condition and was taken into the casualty room. A doctor was sent for and Dr Burgess on arriving advised the removal of the sufferer to the hospital where it was found he was suffering from concussion of the brain. Last evening he had not regained consciousness. The accident was witnessed at close range by the spectators amongst whom were the mother and sister of the unfortunate jockey.

———
THE TOWN CLOCK.

    A letter was received from the Crown Law Department at the meeting of the municipal council on Thursday approving of the appointment of the court house caretaker, Mr Baylis, taking charge of the town clock, providing his other duties were not interfered with. Mr Baylis was then appointed and the Mayor stated that the clock had lost a quarter of an hour, and on consulting with Mr Baylis it was resolved to stop the clock till it was seen to. The council decided to ask Mr Morrison, who said he understood the clock, to see if he could put it in going order.
…

———
CIRCUIT COURT.

    A man named Reginald Phillips was charged at the Circuit Court yesterday with committing a revolting offence [bestiality with a mare] at Hopefield, near Corowa, on September 19. Accused was in gaol on remand since being committed for trial at the lower court. He was possessed of no money or property, and under the provisions of an Act of Parliament arrangements were made by which he was represented by counsel at the expense of the Crown. His case was in charge of Mr WA Holman, instructed by Mr WMJ Walsh, and Mr Bignold was entrusted with the prosecution. The jury, after an hour’s retirement, found the prisoner guilty of an attempt and added that they considered he was of weak intellect. He was remanded for sentence till 10 o’clock this morning.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Wagga Wagga Express, Sat 3 Oct 1908 ⁴

CIRCUIT COURT.
———◦———
SITTING AT WAGGA.
———
(Before Mr Justice Pring and Jury.)
———

    The Circuit Court continued its sitting at the Courthouse on Thursday.

______

…

ATTEMPTED UNNATURAL OFFENCE.
———
REMANDED FOR SENTENCE.
———

    Reginald Phillips was charged with having committed an unnatural offence at Hopefield, near Corowa, on September 19.

    Mr HB Bignold appeared to prosecute, and, as accused was in destitute circumstances, he was allowed a counsel at the expense of the Crown, as was provided for by a recent Act of Parliament. His case was in charge of Mr WA Holman, instructed by Mr WMJ Walsh.

    The accused was found guilty of attempt to commit the offence, and was remanded until 10 o’clock to-day for sentence. The jury added to their verdict that the prisoner had given them the impression of being of weak intellect.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Wagga Wagga Advertiser, Tue 6 Oct 1908 ⁵

PRISONER SENTENCED.

    The man Reginald Phillips, who was convicted at the Circuit Court on Friday of attempting to commit a degrading offence, was brought up for sentence on Saturday. Dr [Thomas William Watkins] Burgess, ⁶ the Government medical officer, stated that he had examined the man and found him to be of weak intellect. He could neither read nor write. Judge Pring remarked that it was hard to know what to do with the offender. He trusted that while in gaol he would try and get rid of the disgusting thoughts which prompted him to attempt such an offence. Phillips was then sentenced to 12 months’ hard labor in the Goulburn gaol.

———
METHODIST CHURCH.

    The anniversary of the Wagga Methodist Church was celebrated on Sunday by special services conducted by Rev GC Johnson in the presence of good congregations. Special anthems were rendered by the choir in charge of Mr P Hill, organist. In the evening the preacher delivered a thoughtful sermon from the 1st verse of the 14th chapter of St John: “Let not your heart be troubled, believe in God. Believe also in me.” The preacher remarked that people were now living in an age of great speed, and owing to the strenuous life life [sic] a great many young men, particularly in America, were prematurely old. The worries of life proved too much for too many with the result that their nerves broke down. The cure for worry would be found in the true application to life of the words of the text. There was, [sic] no doubt, many people who had good cause for worry as did the apostles of old when the charge of betrayal was made. How many people were true to the trust in God? Was not the repetition of the words of the Lord’s prayer empty words to a great many? The claims of Christ were too often forgotten and in this respect people might well have cause for worry. The only way to put aside worry was to trust in Christ, and act in life according to his teaching. The anniversary will be continued on Wednesday with a tea and public meeting.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Wagga Wagga Express, Tue 6 Oct 1908 ⁷

CIRCUIT COURT.
———
SITTING AT WAGGA.
———
(Before Mr Justice Pring and Jury.)
———
RESERVED SENTENCE.

    The Circuit Court continued its sitting before Mr Justice Pring and a jury at the Wagga Court-house on Saturday. Reginald Phillips, who had been convicted on the previous day of attempting to commit an unnatural offence, was sentenced to 12 months.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Reginald Phillips, Gaol photo sheet ⁸

---

Gaol Photo Sheet - Transcribed Details

No. 1022
Parramatta

Date when Portrait was taken: 12th November 1908

Name: Reginald Phillips

Native place: Albury Year of birth: 1883 Arrived       Ship: in Colony }   Year: Trade or occupation previous to conviction  } Laborer Religion: R. C. Education, degree of: Write name only Height: 5' 6½" Weight     On committal: 143 in lbs     } On discharge: Colour of hair: brown Colour of eyes: brown

Marks or special features: Scar left breast from burn, scar left knee, nose has been injured.

(No. of previous Portrait ... )  CONVICTIONS
Where and When				Offence.	Sentence
Albury PC Wagga CC	17 21	6 10	1903 1908	Stealing  Attempting to carnally know a mare	£5 or 2 months HL 12 months HL

 

---

¹     The Albury Banner and Wodonga Express, Fri 19 Jun 1903, pp. 22, 23. Emphasis added.

²     The Albury Banner and Wodonga Express, Fri 2 Oct 1903, p. 6.

³     The Wagga Wagga Advertiser, Sat 3 Oct 1908, p. 2. Emphasis added.

⁴     Wagga Wagga Express, Sat 3 Oct 198, p. 3.

⁵     The Wagga Wagga Advertiser, Tue 6 Oct 1908, p. 2. Emphasis added.

⁶     The Sydney Morning Herald, Thu 26 Dec 1929, p. 4.

“DR TWW BURGESS.
———

              The death occurred at a private hospital at Darlinghurst on Tuesday of Dr Thomas William Watkins Burgess. The late Dr Burgess practised in the Wagga district for 25 years before he was compelled to retire owing to ill-health, following a severe attack of pneumonic influenza contracted in 1919. Soon afterwards Dr Burgess came to Sydney to take up residence at 21 Coolong-road, Vaucluse. He leaves a widow and three sons, Messrs Whittley, Clifford, and Neale Burgess. Dr Burgess was 68 years of age. Following a service at St Peter’s Church, Bourke-street, East Sydney, the funeral will leave at 10 am for the Crematorium, Rockwood.”

⁷     Wagga Wagga Express, Tue 6 Oct 198, p. 2.

⁸     SRNSW: NRS2397, [3/6011], Parramatta gaol photographic description book, 29 Aug 1905-11 Nov 1909, No. 1022, p. 189.

---