Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, Wed 7 May 1924 1
CESSNOCK POLICE COURT.
Mr AR Perry, PM, presided at the Cessnock Police Court yesterday.
…
Charles Smith 2 was fined £3 for having used indecent language, and was remanded until next Tuesday on a charge of improper exposure.
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The Maitland Weekly Mercury, Sat 10 May 1924 3
CESSNOCK POLICE
COURT.
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Mr AR Perry, PM, occupied the bench at the Cessnock Police Court on Tuesday.
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Charles Smith was fined £3 for having used indecent language in Vincent-street, and he was remanded on a charge of indecent exposure until next Tuesday.
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The Cessnock Eagle and South Maitland Recorder, Tue 13 May 1924 4
CESSNOCK POLICE COURT
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To-Day’s Sitting
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(Before Mr AR Perry, PM.)
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A SEXUAL PERVERT
Charles Henry Smith pleaded not guilty to a charge of indecent exposure.
Mr G Ward appeared for defendant.
Constable Heffernan gave evidence in support of the charge and stated that the offence took place in Cooper Street about 5 pm on the 5th inst. There were several people about at the time.
Frederick Walker gave similar evidence and said there were several school girls in the vicinity. Defendant seemed sober enough.
Defendant, sworn, stated that he was a house painter and had been about three years in Cessnock. On the 5th inst. he was in the employ of Mr Palmer, contractor, but was not at work that day. He had been drinking very for the last month. On the 5th inst he was very drunk, and knew nothing about the offence with which he was charged. He could not have been responsible for his actions that day. He had only been before the court before on a charge of drunkenness during his residence in Cessnock.
Sergeant Coates questioned defendant as to whether he had been previously convicted for similar offences in Victoria, and also indecent assault. The Sergeant gave specific dates and places and details of sentences imposed, including one of two years.
Defendant gave denials or stated that he could not re member, and the Magistrate advised counsel to withdraw him from the box and also to withdraw the plea of not guilty. This was done.
The Magistrate said that defendant was sexual pervert and judging by his history since 1905 every conviction against accused with one exception was in connection with sexual matters.
He had been sentenced four times, one sentence being for two years. His Worship regretted that the law would not allow him to impose a heavier sentence than he proposed to do. Accused would be sentenced to six months hard labor in West Maitland gaol.
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The Labor Daily, Wed 14 May 1924 5
FLOGGING AND GAOL
ARE OF NO AVAIL.
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CESSNOCK, Tuesday.—Charles Smith, 50, was today sentenced at the Police Court to six months’ hard labor for offending against decency.
In sentencing Smith Mr A Perry, PM, said that the defendant had been flogged four times, and had received sentences ranging up to two years.
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Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, Wed 14 May 1924 6
CESSNOCK.
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…
POLICE COURT.
Mr AR Perry, PM, presided at the Cessnock Police Court yesterday.
…
Charles Smith, 48, a stranger, was charged with improper behaviour in Vincent-street. Mr GA Ward appeared for accused. Evidence was given by Constable Hefferman that Smith’s behaviour was of a disgusting nature.
Accused entered the witness box, but the magistrate suggested to Mr Ward that he had better withdraw him, or another charge would be pending.
Addressing accused the magistrate said: “Since 1895 you have been convicted many times for offences which, with the exception of one, all relate to sexual matters. You have been whipped five times for these offences, besides receiving sentences up to two years. You have an awfully bad record. The only thing I am disturbed about is that I cannot treat you more severely. I will impose upon you the maximum sentence of this court, six months with hard labour in Maitland Gaol.”
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Singleton Argus, Thu 15 May 1924 7
A SEXUAL PERVERT
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Flogged Five Times.
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An astonishing record of sexual crime was placed before the Cessnock Court on Tuesday, when the case of Charles Smith, 48 years of age, charged with obscene behaviour, was being considered by Mr Perry, PM.
After his arrest, on May 5 by Constable Hefferman for disgusting behaviour in the principal street of Cessnock, his finger prints were taken and sent to the police departments for identification in the various States.
Those from Victoria were to hand on Tuesday, and disclosed a long list of offences, which with the exception of one were of a sexual character.
[Charles] Smith made a statement on oath, but developed such a remarkable loss of memory when questioned as to his criminal record, that Mr Perry suggested to his solicitor, Mr Ward, that he had better withdraw him from the box, or another charge would be pending.
This was done.
After perusing Smith’s record, Mr Terry, addressing accused, said: “Since 1895 you, have been convicted many times for offences which with the exception of one, all relate to sexual matters. You have been whipped five times for these offences besides receiving sentences up to two years. You have an awfully bad record. The only thing that I am disturbed about is that I cannot treat you more severely. I will impose upon you the maximum sentence of this court, six months, with hard labor, in Maitland gaol.”
1 Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, (NSW), Wed 7 May 1924, p. 8.
2 There is gaol photograph available from: SRNSW: NRS2327, [3/5991], Maitland Gaol photographic description book, 1875-1930, No. 1912, p. 128, R5132.
3 The Maitland Weekly Mercury, (NSW), Sat 10 May 1924, p. 16.
4 The Cessnock Eagle and South Maitland Recorder, (NSW), Tue 13 May 1924, p. 5. Emphasis added.
5 The Labor Daily, (Sydney, NSW), Wed 14 May 1924, p. 7.
6 Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, (NSW), Wed 14 May 1924, p. 8 . Emphasis added.
7 Singleton Argus, (NSW), Thu 15 May 1924, p. 3. Emphasis added.