The Daily Telegraph, Wed 5 Feb 1902 ¹

METROPOLITAN QUARTER SESSIONS.
———
(Before Judge Rogers and Juries.)

    Mr WL Merewether prosecuted for the Crown.

A CRIMINAL ACT.

    John Williams was charged with attempting a criminal act [bestiality ] in a Sydney park on January 4.

    The accused pleaded not guilty, and, after the hearing of the evidence, said he did not recollect anything of the occurrence, as he had been drinking.

    The jury returned a verdict of guilty, and a sentence was passed of 12 months’ hard labor.

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The Sydney Morning Herald, Wed 5 Feb 1902 ²

QUARTER SESSIONS.
(Before Judge Rogers and juries.)

    Mr WL Merewether, Crown Prosecutor.

A SERIOUS CHARGE.

    John Williams, a middle-aged and respectable looking man, pleaded not guilty to a charge of having, on January 4, at Sydney, attempted to perpetrate a serious offence. Accused was undefended. The accused said that he was drunk and knew nothing of the affair. Police evidence was to the effect that accused was an habitually idle and drunken person. The jury, after a few minutes consideration, returned a verdict of guilty. His Honor informed prisoner that he had rendered himself liable to five years’ penal servitude and sentenced him to imprisonment with hard labour for 12 months.

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John Williams, Gaol photo sheet ³

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Gaol Photo Sheet - Transcribed Details

No. 8562
E[ntry] book 02 61

Date when Portrait was taken: 4-2-1902

Name: John Williams
(aka Thomas Williams)

Native place: England Year of birth: 1853 Arrived       Ship: Lake Lenam in Colony }   Year: 1871 Trade or occupation previous to conviction  } Laborer Religion: C. E. Education, degree of: R&W Height: 5' 4¼" Weight     On committal: 142 in lbs     } On discharge: Colour of hair: Dark brown Colour of eyes: Blue

Marks or special features: Short chubby fingers. Back deformed. Scar on inside right wrist, & on palm left hand below forefinger, & on bridge of nose. Several scars on back of head

(No. of previous Portrait ... )  CONVICTIONS
Where and When				Offence.	Sentence
Central PC ditto ditto Water PC ditto Central PC  ditto ditto Water PC ditto Central PC Water PC Central PC ditto ditto Water PC Sydney Q.S	20   1   3   3 26 27   1 26   8 24   8 23 17 21   9   5   4	4 10   3   5   5   6   9   9   8 12   9   2   8 10 12   3   2	1881 1883 1884 1884 1885 1885 1885 1885 1887 1887 1890 1891 1893 1893 1899 1900 1902	Drunk Stealing boots Drunk Drunk & disorderly Drunk ditto ditto ditto Drunk & disorderly Drunk Drunk & disorderly Drunk Drunk Drunk & disorderly Drunk Drunk and disorderly Attempted bestiality	4 days C 2 months H.L. 24 hours C 7 days C 2 days C 24 hours C. 24 hours C. 7 days C. 7 days C. 3 days C. 2 days C. 3 days C. 10/- or 3 days C 10/- or 3 days C. 5/- or 24 hours C 10/- or 4 days C. 12 months L.

 

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¹     The Daily Telegraph, Wed 5 Feb 1902, p. 10.

²     The Sydney Morning Herald, Wed 5 Feb 1902, p. 9.

³     SRNSW: NRS2138, [3/6067], Darlinghurst Gaol photographic description book, 1901-1902, No. 8562, pp.152-3, R5109. Emphasis added.

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