Evening News, Fri 18 Jan 1889 1
ALLEGED ABOMINABLE OFFENCE.
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A YOUTH COMMITTED.
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A youth, named Walter James Barnes, 16, a shoemaker by trade, was charged, in the Water Police Court yesterday morning (with closed doors), before Mr McNevin, DSM, with committing an abominable offence on another youth, who, up to the present time, is at large. It appears that a schoolmaster, named Jon V McSweeney, was passing through Hyde Park last evening, when his attention was directed to two youths lying on the grass. Suspecting, from their actions, that something of a suspicious character was being practised, he went over and grasped the accused. The other fellow instantly jumped up and took to flight; both of the youth’s garments were disarranged. McSweeney took charge of Barnes, and, meeting Constable McLean, who was on duty in the park, handed him (accused) into the custody of that officer. On the way to the police station Barnes stated crying, and asked to be “let go.”
Mr McNevin committed Barnes to the next Quarter Sessions, January 31. Bail was granted, self in £80, one surety in £80, or two in £40.
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The Sydney Morning Herald, Wed 6 Feb 1889 2
METROPOLITAN QUARTER SESSIONS.
TUESDAY.
(Before his Honor Mr District Court Judge WILKINSON.)
Mr Merewether conducted the prosecution on behalf of the Crown.
…
CASES FOR WEDNESDAY.
The following cases are down for trial to-day:—Thomas Jones, rescuing a prisoner; Jeremiah Toomey, stealing from the person; Duffina Clough, larceny and receiving; Joseph McDonald, larceny; Walter A Simpson, false pretences; Walter James Barnes, attempt to commit an unnatural offence.
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The Sydney Morning Herald, Sat 9 Feb 1889 3
METROPOLITAN QUARTER SESSIONS.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8.
(Before his Honor Mr District Court Judge WILKINSON.)
Mr Merewether conducted the prosecution on behalf of the Crown.
JURORS FINED.
The following jurors, who were fined on the previous day, were again fined 40s each for non-attendance:—Alexander Aulsebrook, factory manager, 15, Nobbs-street, Sydney; John English, dray proprietor, 188 Rose-street, Darlington.
…
CASES FOR MONDAY.
The following cases are down for trial on Monday:—John Fullman and Robert Johnson, breaking and entering; Walter James Barnes, attempt to commit an unnatural offence; William Smith and James Jones, breaking and entering; Duffina Clough, larceny and receiving.
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The Daily Telegraph, Tue 12 Feb 1889 4
METROPOLITAN QUARTER SESSIONS.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 11.
(Before Judge McFarland.)
Mr WL Merewether conducted the prosecution on behalf of the Crown.
…
ALLEGED ABOMINABLE OFFENCE.
A youth named Wattie [sic] James Barnes was arraigned upon a charge of attempting to commit an abominable offence [of buggery ] on January 6. After hearing the evidence the jury returned a verdict of not guilty, and the accused was discharged.
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Evening News, Tue 12 Feb 1889 5
YESTERDAY’S QUARTER SESSIONS.
————
(Before his Honor Judge McFarland.)
Mr WL Merewether prosecuted on behalf of the Crown.
…
ALLEGED ABOMINABLE OFFENCE.—Walter James Barnes, a lad, pleaded not guilty to an indictment charging him with attempting to commit an abominable offence. A witness for the Crown swore that on the night of January 16, as he was crossing Hyde Park, he saw the accused lying on the grass beside a man (who is unknown). From the appearance of the accused, and his actions, he seized him, and gave him in charge of the police. Accused made a statement in defence denying the charge. The jury found the accused not guilty, and he was discharged.
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The Sydney Morning Herald, Tue 12 Feb 1889 6
METROPOLITAN QUARTER SESSIONS.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 11.
(Before Mr District Court Judge McFARLAND.)
Mr Merewether conducted the cases on behalf of the Crown.
…
ALLEGED UNNATURAL OFFENCE.
Walter James Barnes, a youth, was acquitted upon an indictment charging him with having on the 16th January, at Sydney, attempted to commit an unnatural offence.
1 Evening News, (Sydney, NSW), Fri 18 Jan 1889, p. 8.
2 The Sydney Morning Herald, Wed 6 Feb 1889, p. 11. Emphasis added.
3 The Sydney Morning Herald, Sat 9 Feb 1889, p. 8. Emphasis added.
4 The Daily Telegraph, Tue 12 Feb 1889, p. 3.
5 Evening News, (Sydney, NSW), Tue 12 Feb 1889, p. 3.
6 The Sydney Morning Herald, Tue 12 Feb 1889, p. 4.