Below also see: Leslie Hamilton Townend, 1926
Unfortunately no newspaper report(s) of Townend’s [see also: 1915, George Cathro] indecent assault trial could be location. However, the following details for the 1916 indecent assault charge are extracted from the 1916 NSW PG:
15/11/1916, No. 46, p. 555: “North Sydney.– A warrant has been issued by the North Sydney Bench for the arrest of a man, name unknown, but who can be identified, charged with indecently assaulting George Henry Gotley (10) a male person, at Wollstonecraft, on the 8th instant. Offender is about 18 years of age, 5' 6" or 7" high, medium build, fair complexion and hair, clean shaved; dressed in a dark-grey suit and light-grey soft-felt hat.”
06/12/1916, No. 46, p. 590: “Vide PG 1916, p. 555. Leslie Hamilton Townend (16 years and 2 months), charged on warrant with indecently assaulting George Henry Gotley, has been arrested by Sergeantt 3rd class Morrow and Constables Alexander, Latcham, and Vindin, Sydney Police. Charge reduced to unlawful assault. Sentenced to 1 month hard labour. Sentence suspended.”
13/12/1916, No. 46, p. 596: “Leslie Hamilton Townend,—(16 years and 2 months), tried at Children’s Court, Sydney, on 01/12/1916, assault; sentenced, 1 month hard labour To be of good behaviour for 12 months.”
Leslie Hamilton Townend, 1926
Truth, Sun 21 Nov 1926 1
RUGBY REFEREE
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A Case Dismissed
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CAR DAMAGED
WELL-KNOWN in the Rugby Union world as a referee, Leslie Hamilton Townend was charged at Manly Police Court, with fraudulently converting to his own use a Hudson motor car, valued at £250, the property of Wesley Leetch.
Townend, who pleaded not guilty, was defended by Mr W Daley.
Relating a conversation he had with Townend, when he arrested him at his flat at Manly, Constable Tassell said that when he asked what he had done with the car, Townend replied that he had left it in the garage in the city, but had omitted to inform Leetch. The near side hind wheel of the car was off and the machine was otherwise damaged.
To Mr Daley: The proprietor of the garage said that Townend had told him that the car was not his property, so he declined to proceed with any repairs until he heard from the owner.
HIRED FOR TWO DAYS
Wesley Leetch, proprietor of the Warringah Motor Garage, Brookvale, said that Townend called at the garage and said he had an urgent call to Rydal, and asked Leetch to lend him a car to make the trip. He informed him that he was the printer and publisher of a local paper called “Manly Life’” and believing Townend he hired him the car for two days, Townend paying a deposit of £5, and after filling the tank with petrol Townend drove off.
He promised to return the car on the Monday, but didn’t. Late on Tuesday a wire came signed “Townend.”
He then wired Bathurst police and they replied that a car resembling the Hudson had been seen going in a westerly direction from Bathurst.
SPEEDO SHOWED 600 MILES
Leetch said he next saw the car at the Francis-street garage twelve days after it had left his space. It was now seriously damaged, and would cost about £30 to repair. He had lost £30 worth of business by his car being away. The speedometer showed that the car had travelled 600 miles during its absence, so that another £15 would be due for hire alone.
Questioned by Mr Daley, Leetch denied sending any message to Townend that he would withdraw the charge if he were paid £50, directly or indirectly.
Mr Daley submitted that a case had not been made out.
Mr Gates, SM: Accused should have acted differently, treated the man fairly, and kept faith with him, by letting him know where the car had been left.
Townend: I was ill after I returned home, so I could not let him know.
Mr Gates: You are discharged, but I am bound to say that there appears to be a case for civil action.
1 Truth, (Syd, NSW), Sun 21 Nov 1926, p. 13. Emphasis in original and added.