Below also see: Walter Bede Kennedy, 1923,
Walter Bede Kennedy, 1925,
Walter Bede Kennedy, 1927,
Walter Bede Kennedy, 1928
The Daily Telegraph, Tue 7 Sep 1920 1
CRIMINAL.
———
…
The following prisoners, who had pleaded guilty, were sentenced:—
Walter Bede Kennedy, breaking and entering the dwelling-house of Joseph Henry Ward, at Randwick, with intent to steal, six months’ imprisonment in Goulburn Gaol, the term to be suspended upon the usual conditions as to good behaviour for 12 months.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The Sydney Morning Herald, Tue 7 Sep 1920 2
QUARTER SESSIONS.
(Before Judge Scholes.)
Mr Norman Rowland, Crown Prosecutor.
…
OTHER SENTENCES.
Walter Bede Kennedy, who pleaded guilty to breaking and entering the house of Joseph Henry Ward, at Randwick, with intent to steal, was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment with hard labour in Goulburn Gaol. His Honor suspended the sentence on Kennedy entering into a bond to be of good behaviour for 12 months.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Walter Bede Kennedy, Gaol photo sheet 3
![SRNSW: NRS2467, [3/6104], State Penitentiary photographic description book, 5 Jun 1920-9 Oct 1920, No. 17433, p. 1.](../../images/trials/1920-Kennedy-6104-gaol-photo-17433-p.1.jpg "SRNSW: NRS2467, [3/6104], State Penitentiary photographic description book, 5 Jun 1920-9 Oct 1920, No. 17433, p. 1.") |
|
![SRNSW: NRS2467, [3/6104], State Penitentiary photographic description book, 5 Jun 1920-9 Oct 1920, No. 17433, p. 2.](../../images/trials/1920-Kennedy-6104-gaol-photo-17433-p.2.jpg "SRNSW: NRS2467, [3/6104], State Penitentiary photographic description book, 5 Jun 1920-9 Oct 1920, No. 17433, p. 2.") |
Gaol Photo Sheet - Transcribed Details
No. 17433
Date when Portrait was taken: 1-10-1920
Name: Walter Bede Kennedy
(aka Walter Howell, Walter Kennedy)
|
Native place: Gloucester Year of birth: 2-6-1891 Arrived Ship: Trade or occupation Religion: C ofE Education, degree of: R & W Height: 5' 4⅞" Weight On committal: 135 Colour of hair: Brown Colour of eyes: Brown |
Marks or special features: Operation scars in both groins & on right side of abdomen. Hair thin on top of head. Has an impediment in his speech |
|
(No. of previous Portrait ... ) CONVICTIONS |
|||||
|
Where and When |
Offence. |
Sentence |
|||
|
Glebe PC Sydney Q.S Paddington PC Central PC Central PC Newtown PC Newtown PC |
6 6
19 16 21 14 |
4 9 9 5 2 7 8 |
1920 1920 1920 1921 1922 1922 1922 |
Expose person Break & enter a dwelling house Expose person Have stolen goods Stealing Stealing Stealing |
1 month HL 6 months HL. Sentence suspended on 6 months HL 3 months HL 6 months HL £3. 3. 6 or 21 days HL 6 months HL |
Walter Bede Kennedy, 1923
Singleton Argus, Thu 18 Jan 1923 4
STEALING FROM MOTOR CAR
———◦———
A SHORT SPELL OF LIBERTY.
———
At Singleton Police Court on Tuesday, before Messrs A Simmons and J WB Waterhouse, JsP, Walter Howell, alias Walter Bede Kennedy, and Walter Kennedy, aged 31, was charged with having stolen at Singleton, on January 14, a lady’s silk dust coat, value £2/10/-, the property of Sophia Eliza Allsop. A further charge was taken with this, of stealing a spongecloth dust coat, a rug, and a motor veil, value £2/5/, the property of Adelaide Jane Stacy.
Constable Laycock deposed that about 9 pm last Sunday, Mr Stacy, jun, told him something. With Constable Clements, witness went to a room at the Terminus Hotel at 4.45 am on 15th inst, and there saw defendant. Told him about the dust coats having been stolen the night before, and defendant said he did not object to his room being searched. The search revealed nothing. Defendant said that he went down John-street between 8 and 9 the night before and could not remember much, being “boosed.” He denied offering coats for sale on Sunday night. Defendant said he had 3/-, but could only produce a card, saying it would buy his ticket to Maitland; he said the Rev AW Moore gave it to him to get a ticket with. Defendant denied being near All Saints’ on Sunday night, and witness said he resembled a man they were looking for. Defendant was taken to the police station and detained for identification and on suspicion.
To defendant: When witness entered his room he was showing effects of drink and had liquor in the room.
Constable Clements gave corroborative evidence. He added that at the lock-up he asked defendant did he tell Rev Mr Moore he came out of gaol on Saturday, and he said he did so. Defendant asked witness if they got the goods could his case be dealt with quick, and was told that would be done. Defendant said he had had a lot of experience with the police, and they did a lot of “kidding.” He then said he did not want to go before “that Crane, PM,” adding he took the goods and put them over a fence near the church. Witness took defendant to the place he spoke of, but the things were not there. Subsequently Mr Eldershaw, with a next door neighbour, searched the latter’s yard and found the bundle between a shed and a fence, and it was taken to the police station. Defendants said they were the things he took from a car on Saturday night. Defendant was under the influence of drink; he assisted the police in finding the things, but not at the first.
Philip Eldershaw, Clerk of Petty Sessions, gave evidence as to finding, with a neighbour’s wife, on the latter’s premises, the goods produced. He rand up the police they were taken away.
Mrs Sophia Allsop, housemaid, residing at Waromean, at Mrs Stacey’s, deposed to attending All Saints’ Church on Sunday night, leaving her silk dust coat, value £2/10/-, in Mr Stacy’s car in front of the church. After service the coat was missing. She identified the coat produced as her property. No one had authority to remove it.
Mrs Adelaide Jane Stacy, of Warromean, [sic] near Singleton, gave similar evidence as to leaving their car outside the church on Sunday night. After the service she missed her dust coat from the car, also her motor veil, and a dust rug, with her husband’s name on it. She valued the articles at about £2/5/-. Those shown her in court were her property.
Defendant elected to be dealt with summarily and pleaded guilty to both charges. In a statement from the dock he said that since his return from the war he had been under treatment in several hospitals for nervous debility. Drink was his downfall, and had a great effect on him. He was under the influence that night. He asked the Bench to consider that he had helped the police to secure the goods, and to deal with him leniently. He had only been out of gaol about 40 hours.
First-class Sergeant Brydon read a record showing that accused had been convicted for breaking and entering and stealing, indecent exposure, and two charges of stealing, on one of which he was just released.
Mr Simmons, JP, referred too the record, and said that though the cases might result from drink, still accused kept on drinking. This petty stealing from cars and of cars themselves was far too prevalent, and people could not even leave things outside a church without their being stolen. Accused now have a chance to keep off the drink. On each charge he would be sentenced to three months’ hard labor, the two terms to be concurrent.
Howell: Thank you, your Worship.
Sergeant Brydon said he had been unable yet to find an owner for a small carriage rug, found with the stolen property.
Walter Bede Kennedy, 1925
The Maitland Daily Mercury, Tue 6 Jan 1925 5
POLICE COURT.
Walter Bede Kennedy, alias Walter Hickey, alias Walter Howell, 33, appeared at the West Maitland Police Court this morning, and was fined 10/- for being drunk yesterday, afternoon. On a charge of indecent exposure in Scotia-street on Sunday evening, he was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment with hard labour. It was stated that he had been convicted several times previously for a similar offence.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, Wed 7 Jan 1925 6
MAITLAND DISTRICT
———◦———
…
POLICE ART UNION.
————
…
Walter Bede Kennedy (34), alias Walter Hickey and Walter Howell, who was arrested by Plain-clothes Constable Emmett and Constable O’Brien, on Monday afternoon, pleaded guilty at the West Maitland Police Court yesterday, to a charge of improper exposure in Scotia-street, West Maitland, on January 4, and was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment in Maitland Gaol, with hard labour. Accused had been convicted five times previously for a similar offence.
Walter Bede Kennedy, 1927
The Maitland Daily Mercury, Mon 30 May 1927 7
WEST MAITLAND COURT.
———◦———
Monday, May 30.
———
(Before Mr MH Cleeve, PM.)
———
DRUNKENNESS AND LANGUAGE.
William Palmer pleaded guilty to being drunk and having used indecent language in a railway carriage at Victoria-street railway station.
Plain-Clothes Sergeant Emmett said Palmer was coming from Newcastle by the 10 o’clock train. He was using bad language practically all the way from Waratah, and was cautioned several times.
He was fined £1, or 7 days, and £1/10/, or 14 days, on the respective charges.
Alexander Watson, against whom there were similar charges, was fined the same amounts.
Sergeant Emmett said the circumstances were similar to those in Palmer’s case.
Michael O’Keefe was fined £2, and 8/ costs, for having used indecent language.
ILL-TREATED A HORSE.
Cecil Taylor pleaded guilty to having cruelly ill-treated a horse.
Constable Moran said Taylor was driving the horse along High-street on Saturday afternoon, and when he examined it he found a bad sore on one knee, and an old sore on the near shoulder. The horse was in very poor condition.
A fine of £5 was imposed, in default one month’s imprisonment.
RODE ON COAL TRUCK.
Alfred Larkin, who pleaded guilty, was fined £1, and 8/ costs, for having travelled on a coal truck on the South Maitland railways.
Special Constable Dolman said Larkin was an employee of the colliery, and some of them were in the habit of jumping on the trucks as they were passing. It was a dangerous practice, and the employees had been warned against it.
SENTENCE OF SIX MONTHS.
John Kennedy, charged with indecent exposure on May 24, pleaded guilty.
“I regret that I can’t give you two years, in view of your record,” said the Magistrate. “I can only give you six months.” He then imposed that sentence.
FAILED TO RETURN LICENSE.
Arthur J Wright pleaded guilty to having failed to return a motor cycle rider’s licence, and was fined 5/, and 8/ costs.
REQUEST REFUSED.
“In view of your past record I don’t think I can do it.” This was the reply of the Magistrate to an old female offender whom he had fined £1 for being drunk. She had asked for time to pay.
STONE THROWING.
Arthur Hancock and Stanley Whittingham were charged with having behaved in an offensive manner. Both pleaded not guilty. Mr C Hill appeared for Whittingham.
Francis J Mitchell said he was awakened early on Monday morning last by stones being thrown on his house. He went outside and saw Hancock. He spoke to him about it, but he denied throwing stones.
Eileen Mitchell stated that she first heard stones on the roof of a neighbour’s house and then on theirs. When she went outside with her father she saw four or five men and recognised Hancock and Whittingham. She spoke to the latter. She saw a stone in the latter’s hand.
Hancock denied throwing any stones. He said Whittingham was not in his company on the night in question. He heard stones thrown, and saw several men run away. He was not with them, but was just walking up at the time.
Whittingham said he was not in James-street on the night mentioned. He did not see either Mr Mitchell or his daughter that night.—
To Sergeant Haddon: Miss Mitchell did not speak to him. He was no closer to James-street that night than the “Mercury” corner.
Mr Hill said at this stage Whittingham, who had left the witness box, wished to alter his statement. He said he was not there on the Sunday night, but admitted being there early on the Monday morning.
Is it because he has considered the evidence he gave?” asked Mr Cleeve.
Mr Hill: He admits being there, but not throwing stones.
When he re-entered the box, Whittingham said he did not have any stone or anything else in his hand. In reply to Mr Hill, he said the only part of his evidence he wished to alter was that he was there on Monday morning, not on Sunday night. It was 1.30 am—
To Sergeant Haddon: He knew what the questions were that were put to him before. He did not wish to give the names of the others who were with him. He did not know some. They were not coming to give evidence. None with him threw stones, but he heard some fall on a house.—
To Sergeant Haddon: He went to bed roughly at 12 or 12.30. He did not know the time the stones were thrown.
Eileen Mitchell recalled, said she was quite sure Whittingham had a stone in his hand and that she spoke to him. She said, “I thought it was you standing here.” She heard his voice before.
Whittingham was convicted, and fined £3, court costs 11/, in default 14 days.
“I am not so sure that the papers should not be sent on to the clerk of the peace to see what action should be taken,” added the Magistrate. “That is a matter for the police.”
The case against Hancock was dismissed. Mr Cleeve stated that he was not sure he was not there, but there was not sufficient evidence against him.
Walter Bede Kennedy, 1928
Goulburn Evening Penny Post, Tue 26 Jun 1928 8
TROUSERS SCARCE
———◦———
ROYAL HOTEL ROBBERY
————
TWO MEN REMANDED
————
“A pair of trousers we recovered at Kennedy’s house were given back to their owner, Cyril Lowther, because he didn’t have another pair to put on,” was a statement by Constable McMillan that raised several smiles and chuckles in Goulburn Police Court yesterday afternoon, when a charge of stealing from rooms at the Royal Hotel was being heard against Walter James Herbert Wise and Arthur Bede Kennedy, who were remanded until next Monday.
A scarcity of shirts in Patrick Levy’s wardrobe caused the police to give him back a shirt, which was also alleged to have been stolen from the Royal.
Trousers, overcoats, shirts and other articles of male attire were piled up with hair brushes, razors, watches and jewel boxes. These goods, valued at £150/6/6, were the property of Patrick Levy, Cyril Lowther, Robert Osborne, Bryan Baker, and Alexander Lissey, and were taken, allegedly by Wise and Kennedy, from three rooms at the Royal on Friday night or early on Saturday morning. The licensee of the hotel, FW Scholtz, identified three towels, branded with the inscription “Royal Hotel,” as his property.
Mr TP Moloney, who appeared for Wise and Kennedy, asked if the police could lower the estimated value of the stolen articles to under £100 so that the cases could be dealt with in the lower court, which, he said, would mean money saved to the country. Sergeant Hooper, who conducted the case for the police, said that he could not take the responsibility of doing this, as the values had been placed on the property by its owners.
Mr Moloney said that his clients were hopelessly drunk when the offence took place and that they had probably been actuated by a cunning that comes to drunken men.
In asking for a remand until next Monday, Sergeant Hooper said that the majority of witnesses could not attend the court until that day, and Mr Moloney asked that the police might consider lowering the value of the goods.
Bail of £80 each was allowed Wise and Kennedy.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Goulburn Evening Penny Post, Tue 3 Jul 1928 9
COMMITTED FOR TRIAL.
————
SEQUEL TO ROYAL HOTEL THEFT
————
At the Goulburn Police Court yesterday afternoon Walter James Herbert Wise (29) and Arthur Bede Kennedy (26) were charged with stealing suits of clothes, shirts, sweaters, sleeve links, caps, pyjamas, pearl buttons, studs, trousers, travelling rug, hair brushes and coombs, boots, shoes, razors, watches, a stud box and towels, to the total value of £150/6/6, from the Royal Hotel, the property of Patrick Ley, Cyril Lowther, Robert Osborne, Bryan Baker, Alexander Lissey, and FW Scholtz.
Each of the accused reserved his defence and was committed for trial. Bail of £40 each was allowed on the application of Mr TP Moloney, who appeared on their behalf. On account of the late arrival of the witnesses from Sydney the case did not come on for hearing until three o’clock yesterday afternoon.
Patrick Levy and Cyril Lowther, of Sydney, and Alexander Lissey, of Queanbeyan, gave evidence of having left their rooms at the Royal Hotel on the evening of June 22 to attend the Polo Ball
When they returned in the early hours of the following morning they found their rooms in a state of disorder and later saw that articles jewellery were missing. They thought at first that they were victims of a practical joker, but the truth soon came to them that they had been robbed. They identified the articles exhibited in court as their property.
After hearing the evidence, the Police Magistrate (Mr GA Stevenson) committed each of the accused to stand his trial at the Goulburn Quarter Sessions on August 28. Before adjourning the court the Magistrate said he wished to compliment the police on the rapidity with which they moved on being informed of the theft.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The Cootamundra Herald, Wed 4 Jul 1928 10
COMMITTED FOR TRIAL.
————
SEQUEL TO THEFT
————
Goulburn, Wednesday.
At the Goulburn Police Court Walter James Herbert Wise (29), and Arthur Bede Kennedy (26) were charged with stealing suits of clothes, shirts, sweaters, sleeve links, caps, pyjamas, pearl buttons, studs, and various other articles, to the total value of £150/6/6/, from the Royal Hotel, the property of Patrick Levy, Cyril Lowther, Robert Osborne, Bryan Baker, Alexander Lissey, FW Scholtz.
Each of the accused reserved his defence and was committed for trial. Bail of £40 each was allowed on the application of Mr TP Moloney, who appeared on their behalf. On account of the late arrival of the witnesses from Sydney the case did not come on for hearing until 3 o’clock yesterday afternoon.
Patrick Levy and Cyril Lowther, of Sydney, and Alexander Lissey, of Queanbeyan, gave evidence of having left their rooms at the Royal Hotel on the evening of June 22 to attend the polo ball. When they returned in the early hours of the following morning, they found their rooms in a state of disorder, and later saw that articles jewellery were missing. They thought at first that they were victims of a practical joker, but the truth soon came to them that they had been robbed. They identified the articles exhibited in court as their property.
After hearing the evidence, the police magistrate (Mr GA Stevenson) committed each of the accused to stand his trial at the Goulburn Quarter Sessions on August 28. Before adjourning the court, the magistrate said he wished to compliment the police on the rapidity with which they moved on being informed of the theft.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Goulburn Evening Penny Post, Thu 30 Aug 1928 11
BLAMED DRINK
———◦———
THEFTS FROM ROYAL HOTEL
————
TWO MEN CONVICTED
————
Pleading guilty to charges of stealing from the Royal Hotel on June 23, at the Goulburn Quarter Sessions to-day, Walter James Herbert Wise and Arthur Bede Kennedy were convicted and ordered by his Honour Judge Coyle to come up for sentence if called upon within two years. Each was required to enter into a bond of £50.
The thefts were committed during the Goulburn polo carnival. The owners of the stolen property were staying at the Royal Hotel, the licensee of which, Mr FW Scholtz, also lost several articles.
Wise and Kennedy were charged with stealing clothing, jewellery, and other articles, the property of FW Scholtz, Patrick Levy, Cyril Lowther, Robert Osborne, Bryan Baker, and Alexander Lessey [sic].
The thefts were committed while the owners were absent at the polo ball. During the absence of the occupants the rooms were ransacked and at first it was thought this was a joke, but when it was found that a theft had been committed the police were summoned.
Sergeant Hooper said that when the robbery was committed Wise and Kennedy were very drunk. With the exception of a scarf, all of the property had been recovered.
Mr SF Betts, instructed by Mr TP Moloney, appeared for Wise and Kennedy. Capt PV Storkey, VC, appeared for the Crown.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The Northern Star and Richmond and Tweed Rivers Advocate, Fri 12 Oct 1928 12
LISMORE POLICE COURT
————
…
David Hickey [aka Walter Bede Kennedy] was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment with hard labour for obscene exposure in Spinks Park on October 10.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Walter Kennedy, Gaol photo sheet 13
![SRNSW: NRS2327, [3/5991], Maitland Gaol photographic description book, 1875-1930, No. 1992, pp. 221-2, R5132.](../../images/trials/1920-Kennedy-5991-gaol-photo-1992.jpg "SRNSW: NRS2327, [3/5991], Maitland Gaol photographic description book, 1875-1930, No. 1992, pp. 221-2, R5132.") |
Gaol Photo Sheet - Transcribed Details
No. 1992
Maitland
Date when Portrait was taken: 12-1-1927
Name: Walter Kennedy
(aka Walter Howell, Walter Bede Kennedy, David Hickey)
|
Native place: Gloucester Year of birth: 2-6-1891 Arrived Ship: Trade or occupation Religion: C of E Education, degree of: R & W Height: 5' 6" Weight On committal: 132 Colour of hair: Brown Colour of eyes: Brown |
Marks or special features: Operation scar both groins, right side of abdomen. Impediment in his speech. |
|
(No. of previous Portrait .. 17433, 19739) CONVICTIONS |
|||||
|
Where and When |
Offence. |
Sentence |
|||
|
Glebe PC Sydney Q.S
Central PC Central PC Central PC Central PC Newtown PC Newtown PC Singleton PC
Kempsey Q.S Gloucester PC West Maitland PC Newcastle PC Raymond Terrace |
6 6 23 19 30 8 10 21 14 16
29 16 6 15 20 |
4 9 9 5 8 12 2 7 8 1
10 9 1 3 12 |
1920 1920 1920 1921 1921 1921 1922 1922 1922 1923
1923 1924 1925 1926 1926 |
Expose person Break & enter a dwelling house Expose person Have stolen goods Have stolen goods Have stolen goods Expose person Stealing Stealing Stealing Drunk Drunk Breaking & entering Wilfully & obscenely expose person Wilfully & obscenely expose person Stealing |
1 month H.L. 6 months H.L. 6 months H.L. 3 months H.L. 3 months H.L. 2 months H.L. 3 months H.L. £3. 3. 6 or 21 days H.L. 6 months H.L. 3 months H.L. £2 or 1 month H.L. £1.5.0 or 7 days H.L. 12 months H.L. 3 months H.L. 3 months H.L. 3 months H.L. |
1 The Daily Telegraph, Tue 7 Sep 1920, p. 7.
2 The Sydney Morning Herald, Tue 7 Sep 1920, p. 7.
3 SRNSW: NRS2467, [3/6104], State Penitentiary photographic description book, 5 Jun 1920-9 Oct 1920, No. 17433, p. –.
4 Singleton Argus, Thu 18 Jan 1923, p. 3 Emphasis added.
5 The Maitland Daily Mercury, Tue 6 Jan 1925, p. 4.
6 Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, Wed 7 Jan 1925, p. 8.
7 The Maitland Daily Mercury, Mon 30 May 1927, p. 2. Emphasis added.
8 Goulburn Evening Penny Post, Tue 26 Jun 1928, p. 6. Emphasis in original and added.
9 Goulburn Evening Penny Post, Tue 3 Jul 1928, p. 2. Emphasis added.
10 The Cootamundra Herald, Wed 4 Jul 1928, p. 1. Emphasis added.
11 Goulburn Evening Penny Post, Thu 30 Aug 1928, p. 2. Emphasis in original and added.
12 The Northern Star and Richmond and Tweed Rivers Advocate, Fri 12 Oct 1928, p. 6.
13 SRNSW: NRS2327, [3/5991], Maitland Gaol photographic description book, 1875-1930, No. 1992, pp. 221-2, R5132.