Northern Star, Wed 26 Nov 1902 ¹

GRAFTON.

Nov 22.

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    COMMITTED FOR TRIAL.—
…
    At the Woodburn Police Court on Monday before the PM, a man named Adron [sic] Appleby was charged with alleged criminal assault against a lad 13 years of age. Accused was committed for trial to the next Lismore Quarter Sessions.

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Northern Star, Sat 14 Feb 1903 ²

    LISMORE QUARTER SESSIONS.—The Quarter Sessions open here on Tuesday next, before His Honor Judge Armstrong and Mr Browning, Crown Prosecutor. We have to thank Mr AT Cochrane, CPS, for the following list of cases to be tried:—From Byron Bay, Alexander Wright, false pretences; from Casino, Ernest C Adams, false pretences; from Woodburn, Aaron Appleby, unnatural offence. From Murwillumbah: Frederick Elwards, found on premises at night with intent; Frederick W Breach, maliciously wounding cattle; Andrew Ashard, found on premises. From Ballina: Andrew Jones, inflicting grievous bodily harm on Andrew Day; Michael Aloysino McMahon, robbery with violence; — Perkins, assault and robbery. From Lismore: James Thompson, Thomas Ramsay, Samuel Sampson, in company, breaking, entering and stealing; Thomas Cooper, inflicting grievous bodily harm on AE Ratliff; Cyril J Smith, larceny from a dwelling; John Bryce and Bow Bryce, larceny (in company) from the person; Hugh McInnes, criminal libel; Charles Hoskins, found at night in a building with intent to commit a felony; Walter Lake and John Smith, breaking, entering and stealing; Goodah Singh, larceny; Wm Norton, larceny (two charges). Altogether there 102 witnesses subpoenaed for the Crown.

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Northern Star, Wed 18 Feb 1903 ³

LISMORE QUARTER SESSIONS.

    The Sessions opened yesterday before His Honor Acting-Judge Armstrong, with Mr RJ Browning as Crown Prosecutor.
    Three jurors, Messrs Robt Campbell, FG Hayes, and John Staggs, for non-attendance, were each fined £2.
    Messrs GF Akers and SC Fraser, two jurors, were excused from attendance, the last-named for the day only.
    The following newly appointed justices to the Commission of the Peace were sworn in, viz, Messrs HT Carter, DB Finlayson, A Fenwick, W Gollan, W Nolan, JA Perry, CD Ross, Jas Taylor, John Taylor, G Lolback, A Ralston, and CA Small.
…

INDECENT ASSAULT.

    Aaron Appleby, charged with attempting to commit an unnatural offence [on Percy John Skinner] at Woodburn, pleaded guilty to the second count of indecent assault, which plea was accepted by the Crown Prosecutor.

    Accused had nothing to say why sentence should not be passed according to law.

    Sergeant Thompson deposed he had known accused a few months, and knew nothing against him. He worked at the Ballina saw mill and on the waterworks. He was a very quiet man.

    Constable Elliott deposed accused had been confined in Casino gaol since November and had associated with other prisoners. Witness saw nothing wrong with accused.

    Constable [Charles Richard] Laidman knew nothing against accused’s character. He had heard he was a good worker.

    Accused [Aaron Appleby] said he had pleaded guilty in consideration of the boy’s parents.

    His Honor said he would consider the good character given accused, also that he had shown some regard for his victim in not bringing the evidence out again in court. But he must consider the serious nature of the crime. The sentence of the Court was that accused be imprisoned with hard labour for 2 years and 10 months in Grafton gaol.

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Aaron Appleby, Gaol photo sheet ⁴

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Gaol Photo Sheet - Transcribed Details

No. 8998

Date when Portrait was taken: 16-3-1903

Name: Aaron Appleby

Native place: England Year of birth: 1879 Arrived       Ship: Not known in Colony }   Year: Not known Trade or occupation previous to conviction  } Stonecutter Religion: Wesleyan Education, degree of: R & W Height: 5' 7¼" Weight     On committal: 157 in lbs     } On discharge: Colour of hair: L Brown Colour of eyes: Brown

Marks or special features: First joint 1st and 4th finger left hand crocked, scar and 4 small tattoo marks left forearm; scar inside left wrist heart cross & anchor with AA inside heart & DSES above heart right forearm; small T above right knee; scar right instep

(No. of previous Portrait ... )  CONVICTIONS
Where and When				Offence.	Sentence
Lismore Q.S	17	2	1903	Indecent assault on a male person	2 years & 10 months H.L.

 

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¹     Northern Star (Lismore, NSW), Wed 26 Nov 1902, p. 5.

²     Northern Star (Lismore, NSW), Sat 14 Feb 1903, p. 4. Emphasis added.

³     Northern Star (Lismore, NSW), Wed 18 Feb 1903, p. 4. Emphasis added.

⁴     SRNSW: NRS2138, [3/6068], Darlinghurst Gaol photographic description book, 1902-1903, No. 8998, p. 230, R5110.

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