Below also see: Jeremiah McGrath, 1879
The Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser, Sat 9 Mar 1878 1
LOCAL NEWS.
————
…
ASSAULT.—At the West Maitland police court, on Thursday, three small boys were charged by James Thompson with assaulting him. Only two—George Pickering and Michael Stapleton appeared, the other Jeremiah McGrath not answering to his name. The summons was proved to have been served on the father. The former of the two who appeared pleaded guilty and the latter not guilty. The complainant, who is a tinsmith residing at Paterson’s lane stated that the boys were in the habit of standing in front of his door, and making use of bad language and otherwise annoying him. On the 28th of February, Stapleton was there in the company of the other two, and on his attempting to drive them away and catch McGrath, they threw stones at him. The bench thought one or other of the parents of the boys should have attended the court. After giving them a good repremand, the bench sentenced them to twenty-four hours in the lock-up, without the option of a fine. In consideration of the youth of McGrath they did not issue a warrant for his apprehension, but postponed the case against him till Monday next, and ordered a fresh summons to be issued against him.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser, Thu 13 Jun 1878 2
LOCAL NEWS.
————
…
CHARGED UNDER THE INDUSTRIAL SCHOOLS ACT.—A youth named Jeremiah McGrath was brought up at the West Maitland police court, on Monday under the above charge. Senior-Constable Powell arrested the prisoner on Saturday afternoon last, by virtue on a warrant, wherein he was charged with being a child under the age of 16 years, and wandering about the streets with reputed thieves. When arrested prisoner told witness that he had slept in a hay shed at the back of his father’s house since he came out of gaol, about fourteen days since. Witness knew him to be a very bad character, and has frequently seen him wandering about with reputed thieves.—
Constable Hogan gave similar evidence.
William McGrath stated that the defendant was his son, and was nearly fifteen years old. His son had not slept at his house for a couple of months. He had only seen him one for several months. His occupation takes him away all day, and he had no opportunity of looking after him. Defendant was ordered to be sent to the training ship Vernon.
Jeremiah McGrath, 1879
Australian Town and Country Journal, Sat 5 Apr 1879 3
COLONIAL & INTERCOLONIAL MESSAGES.
————
NEW SOUTH WALES.
…
TAMWORTH, Tuesday.
The Circuit Court opened to-day before his Honor Mr Acting-Justice MH Stephen, with Mr JH Want acting as Crown Prosecutor.
…
Jeremiah McGrath, charged with an unnatural offence, defended by Mr Wisdom, instructed by Mr Levien, was found not guilty.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The Tamworth Observer and Northern Advertiser, Sat 5 Apr 1879 4
CIRCUIT COURT.
TUESDAY, APRIL 1, 1879.
Before His Honor Mathew Henry Stephen.
Mr J Want prosecuted for the Crown. The Solicitor-general was represented by Mr Lee.
Barristers present: Messrs R Wisdom, H Cohen, The Attorneys were: Messrs Abbott (Murrurundi), Thompson (Maitland), Hyman (Narrabri), Newman, Levien, Dowe, and Bedwell (Tamworth).
…
UNNATURAL OFFENCE.
Jeremiah McGrath, a young man was charged with committing an unnatural offence on a mare, near Narrabri, on the 24th day of December last.
Prisoner pleaded not guilty, and was defended by Mr Wisdom, instructed by Mr Levien.
The only evidence was that of Constable Kelly, which was unfit for publication.
Mr Wisdom addressed the jury on prisoner’s behalf and a verdict of not guilty was returned.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser, Tue 8 Apr 1879 5
TAMWORTH CIRCUIT COURT.
————
(Abridged from the Tamworth News.)
The April sessions of the Tamworth Circuit Court, opened on Tuesday last before Mr Acting-Judge Matthew Henry Stephen.
…
Jeremiah McGrath pleaded not guilty to a charge of bestiality. Prisoner was defended by Mr Wisdom, instructed by Mr Levien. He was acquitted.
1 The Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser, Sat 9 Mar 1878, p. 4. Emphasis added.
2 The Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser, Thu 13 Jun 1878, p. 2. Emphasis added.
3 Australian Town and Country Journal, Sat 5 Apr 1879, p. 633.
4 The Tamworth Observer and Northern Advertiser, Sat 5 Apr 1879, p. 2. Emphasis added.
5 The Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser, Tue 8 Apr 1879, p. 3.