The Cootamundra Herald, Sat 5 Jan 1901 ¹

POLICE COURT.
————
Tuesday.

BEFORE the Police Magistrate.

    Thomas Brown, a coloured man, was charged with attempting an abominable offence at Wallendbeen on 31st December. Senior-Constable O’Leary deposed that he arrested the accused on the information of James Hackett.

    Evidence was also given by Joseph Gleeson and Dr Brennan.

    Accused was committed to stand trial at the Wagga Quarter Sessions on 6th February.

Wednesday.

    James Hackett, on a charge of drunkenness, was fined 5/- or imprisonment till 12 o’clock.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Sydney Morning Herald, Thu 7 Feb 1901 ²

COUNTRY QUARTER
SESSIONS.
———◦———

…

Wagga, Wednesday.

    The Quarter Sessions opened to-day before Acting-Judge Armstrong, Mr CA White was Crown Prosecutor. Thomas Brown, a Mauritian creole, charged with assault at Wallendbeen, was found guilty of the attempt and was remanded for sentence.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Wagga Wagga Advertiser, Thu 7 Feb 1901 ³

WAGGA QUARTER SESSIONS.
————
Wednesday, February 6.
————
(Before His Honor Acting Judge Armstrong).
————

    The Quarter Sessions for February were opened at the temporary Court-house yesterday. Mr CA White prosecuted for the Crown. The other members of the bar present were Messrs Whitfield, and Stephens.

    Mr Whitfield, on behalf of the bar, and Mr Coleman, for the other branch of the profession, congratulated his Honor on his appointment to preside over the Court at the present sittings.

    His Honor briefly returned thanks for the kind words used in regard to him.

CRIMINAL ASSAULT.

    Thomas Brown, a Mauritius creole, was indicted on a charge of committing a criminal assault [on John Hackett] at Wallenbeen [sic– Wallendbeen] , on 31st December last.

    The accused, who was undefended, pleaded not guilty.

    James Hackett gave evidence in support of the charge. His evidence was corroborated by Joseph Beeson.

    Constable O’Leary deposed to the arrest of the accused. He denied the charge when taken into custody. The accused was at that time under the influence of drink and party asleep.

    Dr Bennan, duly qualified medical practitioner at Cootamundra, was also called as a witness.

    Thomas Brown, the accused, gave evidence on his own behalf.

    His Honor in summing up told the jury that he did not think the evidence was sufficient to establish the charge that an assault had been committed, but it was for them to say whether there had been an attempt on the part of the accused to commit the offence charged against him.

    The jury, after a short deliberation, found the prisoner guilty of an attempt to commit an assault.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Wagga Wagga Express, Thu 7 Feb 1901 ⁴

WAGGA QUARTER
SESSIONS.
———◦———
Wednesday, February 6.
————
(Before Acting-Judge Armstrong.)

    The February Court of Quarter Sessions was opened yesterday at the Wagga Court House. His Honor Acting-Judge Armstrong presided. And Mr CA White appeared to prosecute for the Crown. Messrs Whitfeld and Stephens, members of the bar, were also in attendance.

    Before the business of the court was commenced, Mr Whitfeld, on behalf of the bar, and Mr Coleman for the other branch of the legal profession, congratulated his Honor on being appointed to preside over the court at the present sitting.

    His Honor briefly expressed his sincere thanks for the complement.

A SERIOUS CHARGE.

    Thomas Brown, a Mauritius Creole, was charged with attempting to commit a criminal assault at Wallendbeen on the night of December 31st last. The accused, who conducted his own case, pleaded not guilty.

    James Hackett gave evidence in support of the charge.

    Joseph Beeson corroborated the evidence of the former witness.

    Senior-constable O’Leary deposed to arresting the prisoner upon the charge of Hackett.

    Dr Brennan, of Cootamundra, also gave evidence.

    Thomas Brown, the accused, then gave evidence in his own defence, absolutely denying the charge.

    His Honor then summed up pointing out that if the jury were not satisfied that an assault had been attempted they must give the prisoner the benefit of the doubt.

    The jury after retiring for fifteen minutes found the prisoner guilty of an attempted assault.

    Sentence was deferred.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Sydney Morning Herald, Fri 8 Feb 1901 ⁵

COUNTRY QUARTER
SESSIONS.
———◦———

…

Wagga, Thursday.

    The Quarter Sessions cases were brought to a close this evening. Thomas Brown, convicted the previous day of an assault, was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Wagga Wagga Advertiser, Sat 9 Feb 1901 ⁶

WAGGA QUARTER SESSIONS.
————
SECOND DAY.
————
Thursday, February 7.
————
(Before His Honor Acting Judge Armstrong).
————

    The court resumed its sitting this morning. Mr CA White acting as Crown Prosecutor.
…

SENTENCES.

    The prisoners, John Cheney (uttering); Thomas Brown (criminal assault); and John Henry Blackett (theft); who were remanded on the previous day, for sentence, received the following terms:—

    Thomas Brown, two years hard labor in Goulburn Gaol.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Thomas Brown, Gaol photo sheet ⁷

---

Gaol Photo Sheet - Transcribed Details

No. 1474
Goulburn

Date when Portrait was taken: 5-3-1901

Name: Thomas Brown

Native place: Mauritius Year of birth: 1873 Arrived       Ship: – in Colony }   Year: – Trade or occupation previous to conviction  } Cook Religion: R Cath Education, degree of: R & W Height: 5' 7¼" Weight     On committal: 149 in lbs     } On discharge: Colour of hair: Black (Grey) Colour of eyes: Dark brown

Marks or special features: Scar right side chin, centre forehead, right forearm, 2nd joint left thumb, right leg been broken below knee. (Colored man)

(No. of previous Portrait ... )  CONVICTIONS
Where and When				Offence.	Sentence
Wagga Q.S WPC	6 6	2 11	1901 1903	Attempt to commit an unnatural offence Stealing	2 years HL £2 or 1 month H.L.

 

---

¹     The Cootamundra Herald, Sat 5 Jan 1901, p. 2. Emphasis added.

²     The Sydney Morning Herald, Thu 7 Feb 1901, p. 5.

³     The Wagga Wagga Advertiser, Thu 7 Feb 1901, p. 2. Emphasis added.

⁴     Wagga Wagga Express, Thu 7 Feb 1901, p. 2.

⁵     The Sydney Morning Herald, Fri 8 Feb 1901, p. 6.

⁶     The Wagga Wagga Advertiser, Sat 9 Feb 1901, p. 4. Emphasis added.

⁷     SRNSW: NRS2232, [3/5973], Goulburn Gaol photographic description book, 12 Oct 1899- 25 Mar 1902, No. 1474, p. 152, R5120.

---