The Newcastle Sun, Mon 27 Oct 1930 1
MAN FOR TRIAL
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SERIOUS CHARGE
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Arthur Charles McGuinness, alias Peter [Arthur Charles McGuinness] (25), miner, was committed for trial at the next Newcastle Quarter Sessions, commencing on November 10, by Mr Stevenson, SM, at Newcastle Children’s Court to-day, on a charge of having, at Toronto, on October 3 indecently assaulted a 14-year-old boy, [Harold Sager].
He pleaded not guilty, and reserved his defence. Bail was continued.
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The Newcastle Sun, Mon 10 Nov 1930 2
Reproduction: Peter de Waal
COURT GALLERY
REPRIMANDED
BY JUDGE SHERIDAN
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“Evil-Minded People,”
He Said
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“COME HERE TO TWITTER”
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Caustic comments by Judge Sheridan quietened the crowded gallery at Newcastle Quarter Sessions to-day after an outburst of snickering during the hearing on the sordid details of a case.
“A lot of evil-minded people come here just to twitter,” said the Judge. “The next person who laughs will be put out of the court.”
Evidence in the case was of a particular revolting nature, and soon after it began a number of women left the gallery. Two women, however, sat the case out.
Arthur Charles McGuinness was charged with indecent assault at Toronto on October 3. He pleaded not guilty.
The boy gave his evidence in a racy dialect. Many of his terms had to be explained to the judge.
He said he had been playing cards on the night of October 3.
“I mucked him,” said the boy.
“You, what?” asked Mr Browning (for the Crown).
“Mucked him,” supplied Mr Curtis, KC, (for McGuinness), “—– a technical term.”
“Good old English term,” smiled Judge Sheridan. “It means beat him, Mr Browning.”
“Thank you, Your Honor,” said Mr Browning with a bow.
“UNPLEASANT DUTY”
The boy alleged that the offence had taken place in his bedroom, where McGuinness was sleeping, because he had had “a row with his missus.”
Under cross-examination the boy was asked a question by Mr Curtis, KC, and one of the jurors, resenting it, asked whether it was a question which should be asked of a boy.
“It is my unpleasant duty to do so,” said Mr Curtis. “I don’t like having to ask it, but it is necessary in my client’s interest.
McGuinness, a married man, denied the charge, and said that he had gone to sleep and had not wakened up until 4 am or 5 am next day, when he immediately left the house.
He had himself taken the boy to the police station later on. He had not been in any trouble before, he said.
The jury retired at 12.15 pm.
Mr Curtis, in his address, described the boy as “an accomplice.”
Mr RJ Browning was Crown Prosecutor and Mr WK Curtis, KC, (instructed by Mr JK Williams, of Messrs Harris, Wheeler and Williams) appeared for McGuinness.
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Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, Tue 11 Nov 1930 3
QUARTER SESSIONS.
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Monday, November 10, 1930.
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(Before Judge Sheridan.)
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Thirteen charges were down for hearing when the Newcastle Quarter Sessions commenced yesterday. Six cases were dealt with, and two were stood over until the next sessions. The other charges will be dealt with to-day. Two men were acquitted on charges of indecent assault, two pleaded “Guilty” to charges of breaking and entering and were remanded for sentences, and two women – one charged with bigamy, and the other in connection with the death of a child at Wyong – were bound over. The Crown Prosecutor was Mr RJ Browning.
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VERDICT OF NOT GUILTY.
Arthur Charles McGuinness, a miner, pleaded “Not guilty” to a charge of indecent assault. The offence was alleged to have been committed at Toronto on October 3.
After a retirement of four hours, the jury returned with a verdict of not guilty, and McGuinness was discharged. He was defended by Mr WJ Curtis, KC, who was instructed by Mr Williams, of Messrs Harris, Wheeler, and Williams.
1 The Newcastle Sun, (NSW), Mon 27 Oct 1930, p. 8.
2 The Newcastle Sun, (NSW), Mon 10 Nov 1930, p. 1. Emphasis in original.
3 Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, Tue 11 Nov 1930, p. 8.