The Sydney Morning Herald, Sat 23 May 1885 ¹

METROPOLITAN QUARTER SESSIONS.
(Before Mr District Court Judge WILKINSON.)

    Mr Healey prosecuted on behalf of the Crown.
…

INDECENT ASSAULT.

    Richard Franklin, described as a hairdresser, was convicted of having indecently assaulted a little girl, [Norah Gwendoline Scott , 8 years], at Randwick, on the 1st of May. The prisoner was sentenced to three years’ penal servitude, and was ordered to receive 18 lashes on the 2nd of June.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, Tue 9 Jun 1885 ²

PRISONER FLOGGED AT
DARLINGHURST.

RICHARD FRANKLIN, the young man who was recently sentenced to be whipped for committing an indecent assault at Randwick upon a child of eight years, received his punishment at 5 pm on Tuesday within the whipping yard at Darlinghurst Gaol. Prisoner, who is a mulatto, strongly build and of fine physique, showed very little anxiety whilst being triced up to the triangle, and it was thought he would have borne his punishment well. The sequel showed however (says the Daily Telegraph), that his nonchalance was due to ignorance rather than courage. The pain was evidently greater than he had been led to expect, and the first stroke of the cat drew forth cries of alarm from him, and he made reiterated appeals to the flagellator “not to keep on at the same place in that way.” Towards the end of the flagellation prisoner bore up better, and the fact that after receiving his 18 lashes he was able to walk firmly away shows that he did not really suffer so severely as many a man more delicately organised would have done. Prisoner has now to undergo three year’s imprisonment, with hard labour. The whipping took place in the presence of the governor of the gaol, the surgeon, the chief warder, and the usual attendants necessary for the proper carrying out of the sentence.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Richard Franklin, Gaol photo sheet ³

 

---

Gaol Photo Sheet - Transcribed Details

No. 3359
4261-85

Date when Portrait was taken: 14-5-1885

Name: Richard Franklin

Native place: America Year of birth: 1857 Arrived       Ship: Zealandia in Colony }   Year: 1880 Trade or occupation previous to conviction  } Barber Religion: C of England Education, degree of: R & Write Height: 5' 7¼" Weight     On committal: 152 in lbs     } On discharge: Colour of hair: Black Colour of eyes: Brown Marks or special features: Scar under left eye

Where and when tried: Sydney Q.S. 22 May 1885 Offence: Indecent assault on a girl under 14 years Sentence: 3 years PS + 18 lashes 2 June 1885 Remarks:

(No. of Previous Portrait ... )  PREVIOUS CONVICTIONS
Where and When				Offence.	Sentence
				Nil

 

---

¹  The Sydney Morning Herald, Sat 23 May 1885, p. 11.

²  Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, Tue 9 Jun 1885, p. 6.

³  SRNSW: NRS2138, [3/6047], Darlinghurst Gaol photographic description book, 1885, No. 3359, p. 92, R5101.

---