Below also see: William Loftus, 1883,
Walter Holman, 1886,
Thomas Jones, 1892,
Thomas Williams and John Murphy, 1903

 

The Sydney Morning Herald, Wed 14 Nov 1877 ¹

CENTRAL CRIMINAL COURT.
TUESDAY.

BEFORE his Honor Sir WM MANNING.
    The Attorney-General (the Hon WB Dalley, QC) Prosecuted for the Crown.
…

RAPE.

    Walter Holman was charged with having, on the 6th of September, 1877, on the Penrith Road, near Camden, committed a rape upon one Emma Coggins.

    At the request of his Honor, Mr O’Ryan undertook the defence of the prisoner. Mr McCarthy consented to instruct the attorney.

    Mr WF Foster prosecuted.

    The prosecutrix is a child, 11 years of age, who resides with her parents at Bringelly, on the Penrith Toad. On the morning of the 6th of September, as she was returning from her sister’s, she met the prisoner, who spoke to her, gave her two threepenny-pieces, and kissed her, then took her into a bush off the road and committed the offence with which he was charged.

    The case for the Crown was supported by the evidence of several witnesses.

    The principal point relied upon in the defence was, that the identity of the prisoner alleged to have committed the offence was not satisfactorily established.

    Mr O’Ryan addressed the jury.

    His Honor summed up.

    The jury, after an hour’s deliberation, found a verdict of guilty of an assault with intent to commit a rape.

    The prisoner was remanded for sentence.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Sydney Morning Herald, Fri 16 Nov 1877 ²

CENTRAL CRIMINAL COURT.
THURSDAY.

BEFORE his Honor Sir WM Manning.
    The Attorney-General (the Hon WB Dalley, QC) and Mr WJ Foster prosecuted on behalf of the Crown.
…

SENTENCES.

…
    Robert [sic] Holman, found guilty of an assault with intent to commit a rape, was brought up for sentence.

    When asked whether he had anything to say before sentence was passed, he replied by asking his Honor whether it was legal, when he had been charged with rape, to find him guilty of an attempt to commit a rape.

    HIS HONOR said that there was an Act of Parliament expressly enacting that.

    Prisoner then said that he had not had a fair trial, and that if he had the means he would take his case before a higher Court. He denied that he ever saw the girl before he saw her at the police court.

    Sentence: To be imprisoned and kept to hard labour on the roads, or other public works of the colony, for the period of five years.

    HIS HONOR said that this was the lowest sentence allowed by law for the offence of which the prisoner had been found guilty.

    The prisoner left the court in an insolent manner, nodding to his Honor, and saying, “Good day, and thank you.”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Walter Holman, Gaol photo sheet ³

 

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Gaol Photo Sheet - Transcribed Details

No. 1786
No. on Gaol Register: 5500.77

Date when Portrait was taken: September 12 1877

Prisoner's Name: Walter Holman

Native place: Cowes, Hants, Eng Year of birth: 1849 Arrived        Ship: New Zealand in Colony }   Year: 1875 Trade or occupation previous to conviction  } Ship's cook Religion: C. E Education, degree of: Nil Colour of hair: Brown Colour of eyes: Brown Height: 5' 7¼" Weight     On committal: 162 in lbs     }  On discharge:

Special Marks: Scar down his throat to the apex of chest, small scar on forehead. Pock-marked. W, Holman, on right forearm, first joint off little finger left hand, ring on third finger left hand Description:

(Previous Portrait ...  )  PRISON HISTORY

Where and When				Offence.	Sentence
Sydney CC	13   4 31	11 12 12	1877 1877 1881	Rape Guilty of assault with intent to commit a rape To Berrima Gaol To Armidale Gaol	5 years Roads

  

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William Loftus, 1883 

 

The Brisbane Courier, Thu 1 Mar 1883 ⁴

IPSWICH.
———◦———
(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

February 28.

    A MAN, named William Loftus, has been arrested at Esk for having attempted to commit a criminal assault upon a married woman called Rossow. The accused was brought before the magistrate as Esk, and remanded for eight days. From particulars to hand, it appears that the woman has sustained severe injuries, as she was too ill to be brought into town for medical examination. Dr Lightoller, however, is in that neighbourhood, and will be called in to attend her.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Brisbane Courier, Tue 6 Mar 1883 ⁵

    OUR Ipswich correspondent writes, under yesterday’s date, as follows:—At the Police Court this morning, William Loftus, alias Walter Hollman, was charged with attempting to commit a criminal assault on a married woman, named Mrs Christina Rossow, at Esk, on the 24th February. The prisoner had been remanded from the latter place, and the evidence taken there was also forwarded. In reply to Senior-sergeant O’Driscoll’s application for a remand of forty-eight hours for the purpose of obtaining medical testimony, his worship stated that the case would have to be sent back to Esk, as he would be unable to commit, not having heard the whole of the evidence. The accused was accordingly remanded back to Esk.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Queensland Figaro, Sat 10 Mar 1883 ⁶

ROUNDABOUT.
————

…
    AT Esk, William Loftus, alias Walter Hollman, stands charged with attempted criminal assault on Christina Rossow, a married woman.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Brisbane Courier, Thu 22 Mar 1883 ⁷

IPSWICH.
———◦———
(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

March 21.

    THE criminal sittings of the District Court was commenced here this morning before his Honour Judge Paul. Mr HM Murray-Prior acted as Crown Prosecutor.
…
    William Loftus, alias Walter Hollman, was then put upon his trial for having attempted to commit a criminal assault upon one Christina Rossow, at Esk, on the 24th February last. Prisoner pleaded not guilty, and was undefended. From the evidence of the prosecutrix it transpired that the prisoner went to her residence about 8 o’clock on the evening of the date mentioned and asked for a drink of water. Her husband was away, and there was only herself and a child 2 years old in the house at the time. A few words passed, and prosecutrix went out on the verandah; prisoner followed her and asked for another drink of water, which was given him. The woman then went inside and the prisoner followed her and shut the door; she became alarmed and ran outside; the prisoner followed her and dragged her back to the house and attempted the offence complained of. The child of the prosecutrix began to scream, when the prisoner desisted from his purpose and ran away. Several other witnesses were examined for the defence. The prisoner stated that he had subpoenaed three witnesses, but they had not appeared. The jury found the prisoner guilty of attempted rape, and he handed in a statement to the effect that he was not the man who had committed the assault, and that he had always borne a good character. His Honour recorded sentence of two years’ imprisonment in Brisbane Gaol.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Queensland Figaro, Sat 31 Mar 1883 ⁸

PERSONALS.

“I hope I don’t intrude.”
————————

…
    WILLIAM LOFTUS, alias Walter Hollman, has been convicted at Ipswich of having attempted rape at Esk on Christina Rossow, a married woman; two years’ hard labour.

 

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Walter Holman, 1886 

 

The Brisbane Courier, Sat 1 May 1886 ⁹

    THE Criminal Sittings of the District Court at Toowoomba are to be held on Monday next, before Deputy-Judge Miller. The only case for trial is that against Walter Holman, charged with unlawfully wounding.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Brisbane Courier, Tue 4 May 1886 ¹⁰

QUEENSLAND NEWS.
———◦———
(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Toowoomba, May 3.

    The District Court opened to-day before Mr Acting Judge Miller. Mr Dickson was the prosecutor for the Crown. There were only two cases for trial. Walter Homan [sic], found guilty of stabbing a man named Conway with a knife in three places—stating when committing the crime that he would run the knife into prosecutor’s heart—was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment.

 

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Thomas Jones, 1892 

 

The Sydney Morning Herald, Fri 22 Apr 1892 ¹¹

ARMIDALE CIRCUIT COURT.
———◦———
(By Telegraph.)
(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)
————

Armidale, Thursday.

    The Circuit Court was commenced yesterday. The following cases have been tried:—Horrogan, attempt to commit suicide, sentenced to be detained during her Majesty’s pleasure; Jones, assault and robbery, five years; Smith, breaking and stealing, two years; in the case of Jimmy Tong, for murder, the jury, after being locked up all night, did not agree. The case was remanded to the next Circuit Court. Michael Kenny, charged with larceny as a bailee, was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment in Armidale Gaol. In the case of Robert Love, charged with assault, the jury have not yet agreed upon a verdict.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Australian Town and Country Journal, Sat 30 Apr 1892 ¹²

ARMIDALE CIRCUIT COURT.
————
THE WALCHA MURDER.
————

ARMIDALE, April 21.—At the Armidale Circuit Court yesterday, before Mr Justice Stephen,
…
    Thomas Jones, found guilty of assaulting and robbing Thomas O’Dowd, a shepherd at Uralla, on January 20, was sentenced to five years’ penal servitude. The amount stolen was 8s. The prisoner served five years from 1877 for an attempted capital offence under the name of Walter Holman, and three months last years for larceny.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Thomas Jones, Gaol photo sheet ^{13  14} 

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Gaol Photo Sheet - Transcribed Details

No. 5322

Date when Portrait was taken: 30-4-1897

Prisoner's Name: Thomas Jones
(aka Thomas Underwood, Walter Jones, Thomas Holman, William Loftus)

Native place: England Year of birth: 1842 Arrived        Ship: Rangalicka in Colony }   Year: 1866 Trade or occupation previous to conviction  } Ship cook or labourer Religion: C of England Education, degree of: R & W Colour of hair: Brown Colour of eyes: Hazel Height: 5' 7" Weight     On committal: 161 in lbs     }  On discharge:

Marks or special features: Standing figure of woman with flag on outside right upper arm. Round scar outside RFA just below bird. Bracelet right wrist. Heart KRR. Hand (?) thumb & forefinger. Crown on steps over wizard. FA on outside LAA. Faint bracelet left wrist. Stars joint [remainder illegible]

(Previous Portrait ... 1786 )  PREVIOUS CONVICTIONS

Where and When				Offence.	Sentence
Sydney CC Queensland Ipswich CC Toowoomba CC Toowoomba CC ditto NSW Armidale CC Bathurst Q.S	13   21   3   3   3   21 19	11     3   5   2   2     4   5	1877   1883 1886 1888 1888   1892 1898	Rape (Assault with intent to commit rape   Attempted rape Stabbing Wife desertion Obscene language   Robbery with stabbing Stealing	5 years Roads   2 years HL 6 months HL 6 months C & surety   3 months C or £4-18-6 | Conc   5 years PS 2 months HL

  

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Thomas Williams and John Murphy, 1903 

 

Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, Thu 15 Jan 1903 ¹⁵

NEWCASTLE POLICE COURT.
———◦———
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 14.
————
(Before Mr MS Love, SM.)
————

…

SERIOUS CHARGE.

    Thomas Williams and John Murphy  were charged with having committed a serious offence. Evidence of the alleged offence was given by four witnesses. The accused Williams said he would reserve his defence, and Murphy said he had nothing to say. Both accused were committed to the Newcastle Quarter Sessions, to be held on March 2.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, Mon 23 Feb 1903 ¹⁶

NEWCASTLE SESSIONS.
———◦———

    The following is a list of cases to be tried at the ensuing Newcastle Quarter Sessions to be held on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, 23rd, 24th, and 25th instant:–

…
    Monday, 23rd.–
…
    John Murphy and Thomas Williams, committing an offence;

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, Tue 24 Feb 1903 17

NEWCASTLE SESSIONS.
———◦———

OPENING DAY

    The February sittings of the Newcastle Court of Quarter Sessions were commenced yesterday, before his Honor Judge Fitzhardinge. Mr JHP Murray conducted the prosecutions for the Crown. The barristers in attendance were Messrs R Windeyer, W Tighe, and R Cowan. The solicitors were:– Messrs J Windeyer, WA Reid, GW Mitchell, AH James, TA Braye, WJ Enright, JA Wood, E Payne, Stacey, and HM Cohen.

    Several jurors were excused on various grounds.

    Mr Henry Percival, assistant CPS and Deputy Clerk of the Peace, was sworn in a justice of the peace.
…

NEWCASTLE SESSIONS.

SECOND DAY.

    The Quarter Sessions were continued at the Newcastle Courthouse yesterday, before His Honor Judge Fitzhardinge and juries.
…

GRAVE OFFENCE.

    Thomas Williams and John Murphy were charged with having committed an unnatural offence. The accused pleaded not guilty, and handed in written statements to the judge. After evidence had been given, the jury returned a verdict of guilty against each accused. The prisoners were remanded for sentence.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, Wed 25 Feb 1903 ¹⁸

———◦———
SERIOUS OFFNECES.

    Thomas Williams and John Murphy, unnatural offences. Both men are old offenders. His Honor said that as Williams and Murphy committed their crime in such a public place he sentenced them each to penal servitude for seven years. As for Mahoney, he sentenced him to a similar term. [sic]

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

John Murphy, Gaol photo sheet ¹⁹

 

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Gaol Photo Sheet - Transcribed Details

No. 68 89

Date when Portrait was taken: 5th March 1903

Prisoner's Name: John Murphy

Native place: Virginia, USA Year of birth: 1842 Arrived        Ship: General Gordon in Colony }   Year: 1913 [sic]  Trade or occupation previous to conviction  } Seaman Religion: Church of England Education, degree of: Read & Write Colour of hair: Brown Colour of eyes: Grey Height: 5' 8½" Weight     On committal: 161 in lbs     }  On discharge:

Marks or special features: Left - Scar inside forefinger. Right - Scar on Palm of hand. Small scar on throat - Roman nose. Scar on bridge of nose coal mark over Right eye large scar projecting on stomach long scar on Right Side

(Previous Portrait ... 1786 )  CONVICTIONS

Where and When				Offence.	Sentence
Newcastle Q.S	23	2	1903	Sodomy	7 years PS

  

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Thomas Williams, Gaol photo sheet ²⁰

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Gaol Photo Sheet - Transcribed Details

No. 72
Grafton 73/1903

Date when Portrait was taken: 27th March 1903

Prisoner's Name: Thomas Williams
(aka Thomas Jones, Walter Jones, Walter Holman, Walter Hollman, William Loftus, Walter Underwood)

Native place: England Year of birth: 1839 Arrived        Ship: Druid in Colony }   Year: 1875  Trade or occupation previous to conviction  } Laborer Religion: Church of England Education, degree of: Neither read nor write Colour of hair: Grey Colour of eyes: Brown Height: 5' 7½" Weight     On committal: 160 in lbs     }  On discharge:

Marks or special features: Tattooed - on upper left arm letters, MERY, CRESWELL, and a vase of flowers, on left forearm, bust of woman with a hat on, on back of left hand two stars, on middle finger of left hand two rings. First joint of little finger of left hand missing. Scar on second joint of ring finger of left hand. Naked woman and flag on upper right arm. Cross with letter “S” underneath on inside of right forearm. Heart and star on back of right hand. Forefinger of right hand crippled. Scar down centre of right forefinger. Scar between the eyes.

(No. of Previous Portrait ... 5322 )  PREVIOUS CONVICTIONS

Sydney CC Ipswich (Q) Toowoomba (Q) Toowoomba CC ditto Quirindi PC Armidale CC Goluburn PC Bathurst Q.S Goulburn PC Newcastle Q.S

13 21   3   3   3 18 21 30 19 23 23

11   3   5   2   2   9   4 12   5   1   2

1877  1883 1886 1888 1888 1891 1892 1897 1898 1900 1903

Assault with intent to commit rape Attempted rape Stealing Wife desertion Obscene language Larceny of Documents Robbery with striking 1) Damaging Government Property 2) Assault 3) Assault Constable Stealing money 1) Assault 2) Assault Buggery

5 years Roads 2 years H.L. 6 months H.L. 6 months Imp & or sureties   Fine £4-18-6 or 3 months    | Conc 3 months H.L. 5 years P.S. Fine 14/6 or 21 days 2 months C Fine 5.5.o or 4 months  | Con 3 months H.L. 3 months H.L. 3 months H.L. 7 years P.S.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

 

[Following are the gaol photos of John Murphy and Thomas Williams at the end of their gaol sentence]

 

John Murphy, Gaol photo sheet template ²¹ 

 

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Gaol Photo Sheet - Transcribed Details

No. 134
68,03 Tamworth

Photo No. 89

Date when Portrait was taken: 21-7-1908

Prisoner's Name: John Murphy

Native place: Virginia, USA Year of birth: 17-3-1850 Arrived        Ship:  in Colony }   Year: 1903  Trade or occupation previous to conviction  } Seaman Religion: C. E. Education, degree of: R & W Colour of hair: Brown Colour of eyes: Grey Height: 5' 6½" Weight     On committal: 137 in lbs     }  On discharge: 132

Marks or special features: Roman nose – Scar on bridge of nose – Coal mark over right eye – Scar inside left forefinger scar on palm of right hand cane scar of left side stomach Long scar on right side scar on throat

(Previous Portrait ... 89 Tamworth)  CONVICTION

Where and When				Offence.	Sentence
Newcastle Q.S	23	2	1903	Sodomy	7 years PS Convicted with Thomas Williams

  

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Thomas Williams, Gaol photo sheet ²²

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Gaol Photo Sheet - Transcribed Details

No. 73 167
Grafton

Date when Portrait was taken: 26 September 1908

Prisoner's Name: Thomas Williams 
(aka T Jones, W Jones, Thomas Holman
Thomas Holloman, Thomas Loftus, Thomas Underwood)

Native place: England Year of birth: 1839 Arrived        Ship: Druid in Colony }   Year: 1875  Trade or occupation previous to conviction  } Labourer Religion: Church of England Education, degree of: Read nor write Colour of hair: Grey Colour of eyes: Brown Height: 5' 7½" Weight     On committal: 160 in lbs     }  On discharge:

Marks or special features: Tattooed on upper left arm letters, MERY, CRESWELL and vase of flowers, on left forearm, bust of woman, with a hat on, on back of left hand two stars, two rings on middle finger of left hand, first joint of little finger of left hand missing. Scar on second joint of ring finger of left hand . Naked woman and flags on upper right arm cross with “S” underneath inside right forearm. Hands and star on back of right hand. Forefinger of right hand crippled, scar down centre of right forefinger. Scar between the eyes..

(Previous Portrait ... 1786, 5322, 72 Grafton )  CONVICTION

Sydney CC Ipswich Queensland Toowoomba Toowoomba Quirindi PC Armidale CC Goluburn PC Bathurst Q.S Goulburn PC Newcastle Q.S

13 21   3   3 18 21 30 19 23 23

11   3   5   2   9   4 12   5   1   2

1877  1883 1886 1888 1891 1892 1897 1898 1900 1903

Assault with intent to commit rape Attempt rape Stealing Wife desertion Larceny of Documents Robbery with violence 1) Damaging Government Property 2) Assault 3) Assault Constable Stealing money Assault Assault Buggery

5 years PS 2 years HL 6 months HL 6 months Imp & fined sureties 3 months HL 5 years P.S. Fine 14/6 or 21 days 2 months C  Fine £5.5.o or 4 months Conf | Con 3 months HL 3 months H.L. 3 months H.L.  | Concurrent 7 years P.S.

 

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¹    The Sydney Morning Herald, Wed 14 Nov 1877, p. 7.

²    The Sydney Morning Herald, Fri 16 Nov 1877, p. 3. Emphasis added.

³    SRNSW: NRS2138, [3/6042], Darlinghurst Gaol photographic description book, 1877-1879, No. 1786, pp. 43a, 43b, R5099.

⁴    The Brisbane Courier, Thu 1 Mar 1883, p. 5. Emphasis added.

⁵    The Brisbane Courier, Tue 6 Mar 1883, p. 5.

⁶    Queensland Figaro, (Brisbane, Qld), Sat 11 Mar 1883, p. 166.

⁷    The Brisbane Courier, Thu 22 Mar 1883, p. 5.

⁸    Queensland Figaro, (Brisbane, Qld), Sat 31 Mar 1883, p. 214.

⁹    The Brisbane Courier, Sat 1 May 1886, p. 4.

¹⁰  The Brisbane Courier, Tue 4 May 1886, p. 6.

¹¹  The Sydney Morning Herald, Fri 22 Apr 1892, p. 5. Emphasis added.

¹²  Australian Town and Country Journal, Sat 30 Apr 1892, p. 42.

¹³  SRNSW: NRS1998, [3/13072], Bathurst Gaol photographic description book, 1874-1930, No. 5322, p. 173, R5089. Emphasis added.

¹⁴  SRNSW: NRS2138, [3/6054], Darlinghurst Gaol photographic description book, 1891-1892, No. 5322, p. 93, R5104.

15  Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, Thu 15 Jan 1903, p. 7.

¹⁶  Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, Mon 23 Feb 1903, p. 5.

¹⁷  Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, Tue 24 Feb 1903, p. 7.

¹⁸  Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, Wed 25 Feb 1903, p. 7.

¹⁹  SRNSW: NRS2528, [3/5997], Tamworth Gaol photographic description book, 1894-1929, No. 89, p. –, R5139.

²⁰  SRNSW: NRS2258, [3/5993], Grafton Gaol photographic description book, Nov 1894-Jun 1910, No. 72, p. 73, R5125. Emphasis added.

²¹  SRNSW: NRS2528, [3/5997], Tamworth Gaol photographic description book, 1894-1929, No. 89, p. –, R5139.

²²  SRNSW: NRS2258, [3/5993], Grafton Gaol photographic description book, Nov 1894-Jun 1910, No. 167, p. 168, R5125. Emphasis added.

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