Below also see: Nicholas Coffit, 1949,
William Walter Pettingell, 1931
South Coast Times and Wollongong Argus, Fri 24 Jan 1930 1
WOLLONGONG COURT
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Monday
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(Before Mr Stevenson, SM.)
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ADJOURNMENTS
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SERIOUS OFFENCE.
Nicholas Coffit (58), was charged with indecently assaulting a male person at Corrimal on Dec 28th.
Sergeant Pye asked for a remand as the police were not ready to go on with the case.
Remanded till Feb 3rd. Bail was fixed at £60.
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Illawarra Mercury, Fri 7 Feb 1930 2
CASES ADJOURNED.
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At the Wollongong police court on Monday the following cases were dealt with:—
Nicholas Coffitt (58) was charged with a serious offence against a male person at Corrimal, on December 28.
Mr Abigail appeared for accused and explained that the principal witness was unable to attend.
By consent the matter was adjourned until February 24, bail being allowed as before.
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South Coast Times and Wollongong Argus, Fri 7 Feb 1930 3
WOLLONGONG COURT
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Monday
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(Before Mr Stevenson, SM.)
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…
CASES ADJOURNED.
Nicholas Coffit (58) was charged with indecently assaulting WW Pettingell at Corrimal, on Dec 28.
Mr ER Abigail appeared for the accused and said he had been informed the principal witness was still ill and he was prepared to allow the case to stand over till 24th February.
By consent the case was adjourned till Feb 24th. Bail was fixed at £60.
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Illawarra Mercury, Tue 25 Feb 1930 4
SERIOUS CHARGE.
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MAN COMMITTED FOR TRIAL.
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Nicolas Coffit (58) was charged with committing a serious offence upon a male person at Corrimal, on December 28.
Mr ER Abigail appeared for the accused
(The case was heard within closed doors).
Dr CV Roper, Corrimal, and Dr J Kerr, Wollongong, gave medical evidence.
Constable Jonas, Wollongong, deposed that accused made certain statements as to what had occurred, which, accused said, had taken place at the re quest of the complainant (statement produced).
The mother of complainant, deposed that her son was 15 years of age in September, 1929.
Complainant [William Walter Pettingell] deposed that he had known accused from an early age. On the night in question witness and accused went to the pictures together, accused paying all expenses. When walking home across the paddock near Black Cutting Hill, the incident complaint of took place. Witness was forced into acquiescence.
When formally charged the accused said “I reserve my defence.”
Accused was committed to stand trial at the Wollongong Quarter Sessions on March 3rd, bail being allowed in self in £60 and one other in £60, or two in £30.
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South Coast Times and Wollongong Argus, Fri 28 Feb 1930 5
WEEK BY WEEK
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In order to clear up a misunderstanding, we have been asked to state that the handsome dresses worn by Miss Edna Cram, during her appearance in farcial [sic] comedy, “The Modern Woman,” were made by Miss Cram’s grandmother, Mrs E Scrivener, of Wollongong.
…
For the Wollongong Sessions, which open on Monday, the following is the list of cases:—
…
Nicholas Coffit, indecent assault.
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Illawarra Mercury, Tue 4 Mar 1930 6
QUARTER SESSIONS.
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WOLLONGONG.—Monday.
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(Before His Honour Judge Sheridan).
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PLEADED GUILTY.
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Nicholas Coffit pleaded guilty to a serious charge in connection with a boy [William Walter Pettingell , 16].
Mr Abigail appeared for the accused, who pleaded guilty.
Constable Jonas deposed that when the accused made the statement to him at the time of his arrest, he said he had been drinking wine. Accused had been in the State about 30 years and there was nothing against his character. He had been in constant work as fireman at South Bulli.
Mr Abigail pointed out that accused did not tell any lies about the matter when questioned by the police, and suggested that he should be bound over by His Honor.
His Honor: I cannot do that. It is a most loathsome business altogether, and I cannot treat it lightly. It is a shocking business.
Mr Abigail: The accused is a man of poor intelligence, and it was a case of six of one and half a dozen of another so far as himself and the boy was concerned.
His Honor: I am not prepared to accept that statement.
Mr Abigail: I would ask that Your Honor impose a sentence and arrange that accused be allowed to be released on probation after serving portion of the sentence upon finding proper sureties.
His Honor: I am prepared to accept that suggestion, and will sentence accused to-morrow.
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The Sydney Morning Herald, Thu 6 Mar 1930 7
COUNTRY NEWS.
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WOLLONGONG QUARTER SESSIONS.
WOLLONGONG, Wednesday.
At the Quarter Sessions the following sentences were passed: For breaking and entering, Arthur Charles Sullivan, 15 months’ imprisonment; Clarence Williams, 18 months’ imprisonment; Norman Pratt, 12 months (to be released on own recognisance at end of six months. Stanley David Brown, for an offence on a girl under the age of 16, was ordered to enter into a bond to come up for sentence within three years. Nicholas Coffit, for a serious offence against a male person, was sentenced to 12 months’ hard labour. Frank Rogerson, charged with breaking and entering, was bound over to come up for sentence within three years. The jury failed to agree in the case of William Cook Wright, who was charged with an offence against a female. The accused was remanded.
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Illawarra Mercury, Fri 7 Mar 1930 8
QUARTER SESSIONS.
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WOLLONGONG.—Tuesday.
(Before His Honour Judge Sheridan).
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…
Wednesday.
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SENTENCES.
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Nicholas Coffitt [aka Nicholas Coffit] (indecent assault)—12 months hard labour, and to enter into a recognisance of self in £50, and one other in £50, or two in £25, to be of good behaviour for two years, in default a further six months.
His Honour said that had it not been for accused’s first conviction, and had accused not been an old man, the sentence would have been much heavier.
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STRAY NOTES.
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(By Boori).
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Much comment has been made in regard to the outspoken remarks of Judge Sheridan at the Wollongong Quarter Sessions concerning a jury’s decision. Many persons have asked as to whether it is permissible for a Judge to comment on a jury’s verdict. Some Judges, who are now past and gone, were given to freely commenting on the decisions of juries, and even a Judge that at one time presided at the Wollongong Quarter Sessions, occasionally impressed upon the jury that the verdict they had returned was their verdict, not his. As a rule, Judges do not comment on the finding of juries.
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The fault with juries, very often, is that they, cannot eliminate the personal element, when arriving at a verdict, and consequently they are guided more by the heart than the head, and thus they may at times give verdicts that are at variance with the evidence. On other times the jury is in a position to more clearly review the evidence than the Judge, consequently, with local knowledge, they mal return a verdict that would not be in keeping with the Judge’s idea.
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Generally speaking it does not do for Judges to fall out with juries. It reminds me of the story told about Sandy McDougall, who sent his son Andy to Aberdeen University to be trained for a minister. In due time Andy graduated, was ordained and appointed to a Church.
Before going to the scene of his labours his father said to him one day:
“Andy, now you are a parson, I want to give you three pieces of good advice, viz., one is to preach long sermons, Scotch men like plenty for their money; secondly, always verify your quotations, Scotch men love accuracy; thirdly, lastly but not leastly, dinna go on too much about the Devil. If there was no Devil there would be no parsons.
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If there were no juries, the judges might not have so much work to do.
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Globe Trotter: You’re sure there’s no danger of the ship sinking when my wife and I are aboard?
Ticket Agent: I imagine sir, that you have never seen the Gigantic.
“Well, you’ve never seen my wife.”
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South Coast Times and Wollongong Argus, Fri 7 Mar 1930 9
WOLLONGONG QUARTER
SESSIONS.
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A BIG LIST.
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The Quarter Sessions began at Wollongong, on Monday, before his Honour, Judge Sheridan.
Mr Vernon Treatt was Crown Prosecutor.
WELCOME
On behalf of the legal profession, Mr JW Russell, extended a cordial welcome to his Honor to this district, and also upon his appointment as a District Court Judge. The professor, said Mr Russell, would be only too pleased to give his Honor every assistance. Mr Russell, also said he would like his Honor to extend the welcome to Mr Treatt, the Crown Prosecutor.
On behalf of the Bar, Mr Treatt complimented his Honor on his elevation, while Inspector Gibson spoke on behalf of the police.
In responding, Judge Sheridan said he appreciated the kindly expressions of goodwill. He remarked that the South Coast was set in beautiful surroundings. He would try to fulfil the honorable position to the best of his ability, and he felt sure he would have the co-operation of the profession and the police. Finally his Honor paid a tribute to the ability of Mr Treatt, and congratulated him on his appointment.
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INDECENT ASSAULT
Nicholas Coffit (56) was charged with indecently assaulting a male person, William Walter Pettingell (15) at Corrimal, on Dec 28th last.
Accused, who was represented by Mr ER Abigail (Sydney) pleaded guilty.
Mr Abigail suggested accused be bound over for three years.
His Honor replied that he could not do that in such a loathsome case.
Mr Abigail then asked that whatever sentence might be imposed, a remission of a portion of it might be recommended.
His Honor said he would consider that.
Accused was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment, and at the expiration of that period to enter into a bond of self £50, and one in £50 to be of good behaviour for a further three years, in default, a further six months’ gaol. His Honor said the case was a deplorable one, and but for accused’s age the sentence would have been more severe.
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Nicholas Coffit, Gaol photo sheet 10
![SRNSW: NRS– [17/1495], State Penitentiary photographic description book, 3 Dec 1929-20 Mar 1930, No. 24557, p. –.](../../images/trials/1930-Coffit-1495-gaol-photo-24557.jpg "SRNSW: NRS– [17/1495], State Penitentiary photographic description book, 3 Dec 1929-20 Mar 1930, No. 24557, p. –.") |
Gaol Photo Sheet - Transcribed Details
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Name Nicolas Coffit No. 24557 Date when Portrait was taken: 8-3-1930 |
Finger Print |
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Native Place Poland Year of Birth 27-4-1872 Arrived in State Ship SS Woolwich Trade or occupation previous to conviction } Fireman Religion R. C. Education, degree of R & W Height, without shoes 5' 3½" Weight in lbs. On committal 137 Colour of hair Brown to Grey Colour of eyes Blue Marks or special features Heart, clasped hands & “TRUE LOVE” inside left forearm. Woman’s head & flags inside right forearm |
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CONVICTIONS St 7574 97939 |
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Court. |
Date |
Offence. |
Sentence |
Name. |
Gaol No. |
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Wollongong Q.S |
5 |
3 |
1930 |
Indecent assault on a male person |
12 months HL and a further 6 months in default of entering into recognizance with sureties |
Nicolas Coffit |
1346 |
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Nicholas Coffit, 1949
The Sydney Morning Herald, Thu 6 Mar 1949 11
FUNERALS.
…
COFFIT.—The Funeral of the late Nicholas Coffit will leave Sacred Heart Church, Darlinghurst, this Wednesday, after Requiem Mass commencing at 9 am, for the Catholic Cemetery, Botany.
Thomas Dixon Pty Ltd (AFDA)
Established 1836
MA6013-4.
William Walter Pettingell, 1931
The Sydney Morning Herald, Sat 7 Mar 1931 12
THE UNIVERSITY.
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NEW AWARDS ANNOUNCED.
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The public exhibitions committee of the University of Sydney has recommended the following new awards of public exhibitions:—
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Faculty of Science.—Gerard Francis El, Arthur Lench, Alfred William Miles, William Walter Pettingell, 13 James John Samuels.
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Public exhibitors and undergraduates may enrol personally at the University office on or after March 9. All enrolments must be completed by Thursday, March 12. University lectures begin on Monday, Mar 16.
1 South Coast Times and Wollongong Argus, (NSW), Fri 24 Jan 1930, p. 26.
2 Illawarra Mercury, (Wollongong, NSW), Fri 7 Feb 1930, p. 3.
3 South Coast Times and Wollongong Argus, (NSW), Fri 7 Feb1930, p. 4.
4 Illawarra Mercury, (Wollongong, NSW), Tue 25 Feb 1930, p. 1. Emphasis in original and added.
5 South Coast Times and Wollongong Argus, (NSW), Fri 25 Feb1930, p. 22. Emphasis added.
6 Illawarra Mercury, (Wollongong, NSW), Tue 4 Mar 1930, p. 5. Emphasis added.
7 The Sydney Morning Herald, Thu 6 Mar 1930, p. 12. Emphasis added.
8 Illawarra Mercury, (Wollongong, NSW), Fri 7 Mar 1930, pp. 7, 12. Emphasis added.
9 South Coast Times and Wollongong Argus, (NSW), Fri 7 Mar 1930, p. 9.
10 SRNSW: NRS– [17/1495], State Penitentiary photographic description book, 3 Dec 1929-20 Mar 1930, No. 24557, p. –.
11 The Sydney Morning Herald, Thu 6 Mar 1949, p. 12.
12 The Sydney Morning Herald, Sat 7 Mar 1931, p. 8. Emphasis added.
13 Sir William Walter Pettingell (1914-1987), industrial chemist and businessman, was born on 4 September 1914 at Corrimal, New South Wales, son of New South Wales-born parents Harley George William Pettingell, coke-worker, and his wife Barbara Ellen, nee Woods. William was educated at Wollongong High School and the University of Sydney (B.Sc., 1934). For further details see the: Australian Dictionary of Biography: www.adb.anu.edu.au/biography/Pettingell-sir-william-walter-15086.