The Maitland Daily Mercury, Tue 5 Oct 1915 ¹

CESSNOCK DISTRICT NEWS.
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(From Our Mines Representative.)
————

…

VITAL STATISTICS.

    The vital statistics of the Cessnock district for the quarter just closed are as follows:—Birth, 107—52 males and 55 females; deaths, 24—13 males, 11 females; marriages, 20; maternity allowance certificates issued, 110.

POLICE COURT.

    At the Cessnock Police Court on Saturday, William Andrey was remanded on a charge of beastiality [sic]. The circumstances of the case are of a most shocking nature. A remand was granted to allow of the attendance of a material witness.

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The Cessnock Eagle and South Maitland Recorder, Fri 8 Oct 1915 ²

DROUGHT CONDITIONS.
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…
    At Cessnock police court on Saturday, William Andrey was remanded on a charge of bestiality. A remand was granted to allow of the attendance of a material witness.

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The Maitland Daily Mercury, Tue 16 Nov 1915 ³

MAITLAND QUARTER
SESSIONS.
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Tuesday, November 16.
————
(Before His Honor Judge Fitzhardinge.

    The sittings of the Maitland Quarter Sessions were opened at the Courthouse, East Maitland to-day, before his Honor Judge Fitzhardinge. Mr GS Waller, Deputy Sheriff, occupied a seat alongside His Honor, Mr JS Brown was Clerk of Arraigns, and Mr AF Dawson, Crown Prosecutor.

JUSTICE SWORN IN.

    Mr R Hammond was sworn in as a Justice of the Peace.

PLEAS OF GUILTY.

    William Audrey [aka William Andrey] pleaded guilty to a charge of having, on September 23rd, 1915, at Cessnock, attempted to commit an unnatural offence, [bestiality with a fowl].

    Thomas Ambrose Gollan was charged with having on October 6, 1914, at Cessnock, being then the servant of the trustees of the Cessnock branch of the Grand United Order of Oddfellows, received into his possession 18/4, ad did then embezzle the said money; and that on November 3rd last, he did receive other money, to wit, 18/, and did then embezzle the same. Accused pleaded guilty, and was remanded for sentence.

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The Maitland Daily Mercury, Wed 17 Nov 1915 ⁴

MAITLAND QUARTER
SESSIONS.
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Wednesday November 17.
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(Before His Honor Judge Fitzhardinge.)

    The sittings of the Maitland Quarter Sessions were continued at the courthouse, East Maitland, to-day, before His Honor Judge Fitzhardinge. Mr GB Waller, Deputy Sheriff was again in attendance, Mr JS Brown was clerk of arraigns, and Mr AF Dawson, Crown prosecutor.
…

SENTENCED TO NINE MONTHS.

    William Andrey, who had pleaded guilty to a charge of having on September 23rd, 1915 at Cessnock, attempted to commit an unnatural offence, was brought up for sentence.

    Mr WJ Enright, who appeared for accused, directed attention to the fact that Andrey had been in custody since his arrest on September 23rd.

    His Honor said that accused was very well advised to plead guilty to attempt. Had he come before the jury they would probably have convicted him of the more serious offence. The sentence of the court was that he be imprisoned with hard labour in Grafton Gaol for nine months.

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Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, Wed 17 Nov 1915 ⁵

MAITLAND DISTRICT.
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MAITLAND QUARTER SESSIONS.
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(Before His Honor Judge Fitzhardinge.)

    The Maitland Quarter Sessions opened yesterday, at the courthouse, East Maitland, before His Honor Judge Fitzhardinge. Mr AF Dawson was Crown Prosecutor.

    Mr R Hammond was sworn in as a justice of the peace.

PLEAS OF GUILTY.

…
    William Andrey was charged that, at Cessnock, on September 23rd 1915, he did attempt to commit an abominable crime. Accused pleaded guilty, and Mr Enright appeared for the defence. Accused was remanded for sentence.

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Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, Thu 18 Nov 1915 ⁶

MAITLAND DISTRICT.
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MAITLAND QUARTER SESSIONS.
————
(Before His Honor Judge Fitzhardinge.)

    The Maitland Quarter Sessions were continued yesterday, at the courthouse, East Maitland, before his Honor Judge Fitzhardinge. Mr AF Dawson was Crown Prosecutor.
…

A SERIOUS CHARGE.

    William Andrey pleaded guilty that, at Cessnock, on September 23rd, 1915, he did attempt to commit an abominable crime. Mr Enright appeared for the defence. Accused was sentenced to nine months’ imprisonment, with hard labour in Grafton Gaol.

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The Maitland Weekly Mercury, Sat 20 Nov 1915 ⁷

MAITLAND QUARTER
SESSIONS.
———◦———
Tuesday, November 16.
————
(Before His Honor Judge Fitzhardinge).
————

    The sittings of the Maitland Quarter Sessions were opened at the Courthouse, East Maitland, on Tuesday, before his Honor Judge Fitzhardinge. Mr GS Waller, Deputy Sheriff, occupied a seat alongside his Honor. Mr JS Brown was Clerk of Arraigns, and Mr AF Dawson Crown Prosecutor.

    Mr Hammond was sworn in as a Justice of the Peace.
…

SENTENCED TO NINE MONTHS.

    William Andrey, who had pleaded guilty yo a charge of having on September 23rd, 1915, at Cessnock, attempted to commit an unnatural offence, was brought up for sentence.

    Mr WJ Enright, who appeared for accused, directed attention to the fact that Andrey had been in custody since his arrest on September 23rd.

    His Honor said that accused was very well advised to plead guilty to attempt. Had he come before the jury they would probably have convicted him of the more serious offence. The sentence of the court was that he be imprisoned with hard labour in Grafton Gaol for nine months.

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William Andrey, Gaol photo sheet ⁸

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Gaol Photo Sheet - Transcribed Details

No. 257
Grafton

Date when Portrait was taken: 7 December 1915

Name: William Andrey

Native place: Sweden Year of birth: 1892 Arrived       Ship: Pehr Ugland in Colony }   Year: 1915 Trade or occupation previous to conviction  } Carpenter Religion: Lutheran Education, degree of: R & W Height: 5' 6" Weight     On committal: 157 in lbs     } On discharge: Colour of hair: Brown Colour of eyes: Brown

Marks or special features: Vaccination scar on right arm; Scar on outside right thumb.

(No. of previous Portrait ... )  CONVICTIONS
Where and When				Offence.	Sentence
Maitland Q.S	16	11	1915	Attempt to commit bestiality	9 months HL.

 

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¹     The Maitland Daily Mercury, Tue 5 Oct 1915, p. 2. Emphasis added.

²     The Cessnock Eagle and South Maitland Recorder, (NSW), Fri 8 Oct 1917, p. 2.

³     The Maitland Daily Mercury, Tue 16 Nov 1915, p. 6.

⁴     The Maitland Daily Mercury, Wed 17 Nov 1915, p. 6.

⁵     Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, Wed 17 Nov 1915, p. 8.

⁶     Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, Thu 18 Nov 1915, p. 6.

⁷     The Maitland Weekly Mercury, Sat 20 Nov 1915, p. 3.

⁸     SRNSW: NRS2258, [3/5994], Grafton Gaol photographic description book, Jun 1910-Nov 1922, No. 257, p. 67, R5125.

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