Barrier Miner, Mon 28 Sep 1891 ¹

POLICE COURT.
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MESSRS Badham, PM, and Pell, JP, attended at the courthouse this morning and imposed fines ranging from 2s 6d to 20s on various persons charged with drunkenness. One or two of those who had also been guilty of using foul language had additional penalties imposed upon them. P McMahon was fined £2 and costs for a breach of the Billiards Act.
…

BESTIALITY.

    James Hammond was charged with bestiality. The evidence against accused was heard with closed doors. Hammond was eventually committed to take his trial at the next Circuit Court.

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Barrier Miner, Mon 12 Oct 1891 ²

CIRCUIT COURT.
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THE Broken Hill Circuit Court opens here on Wednesday next, before his Honor Mr Justice Stephen. The following are the criminal cases set down for hearing:—Ann Martin, alias Tully, inflicting grevious [sic] bodily harm; Harriet Hobba, concealment of birth; Henry James Phillips, embezzlement (4 charges); Phillip McCabe, larceny; James Lord, false pretences; James Hammond, bestiality. It is also probable that there will also be one case each from Wentworth, Wilcannia, and Milparinka.

    Mr Justice Stephen will preside over the Court. His associate will be Mr EM Stephen. Mr HM Hamilton will be Crown Prosecutor, and Mr J Lee Crown Law Agent.

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Barrier Miner, Wed 14 Oct 1891 ³

CIRCUIT COURT.
———
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14.
——
(Before His Honor Mr Justice Stephen.)

    The Criminal Sittings of the Circuit Court opened this morning, when the names of six persons appeared on the list for trial. Mr HM Hamilton appeared to prosecute for the Crown, and Mr CLC Badham was in his place as deputy-sheriff. Mr Warden Rogerson, of Wilcannia, had a seat on the bench.
…

BESTIALITY.

    James Hammond pleaded not guilty to a charge of bestiality. He was undefended. The evidence taken is utterly unfit for publication. The Judge pointed out that there was no evidence to show that the offence had been committed, but it was for the jury to say if it had been attempted. A verdict of not guilty was returned.

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The Silver Age, Thu 15 Oct 1891 ⁴

CIRCUIT COURT.
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Criminal Sittings.
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(Before His Honor Judge Stephen and juries.)

    Mr HM Hamilton prosecuted on behalf of the Crown and Mr Badham acted as deputy-sheriff.
…

———
BESTIALITY.

    James Hammond pleaded not guilty to a charge of bestiality. He was undefended. The evidence was totally unfit for publication, the judge, in summing up, said there was no evidence that the accused had actually committed the offence, but it was competent for the jury to find him guilty of attempt. After a short retirement the jury returned with a verdict of not guilty, and the prisoner was discharged.

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South Australian Register, Thu 15 Oct 1891 ⁵

CIRCUIT COURT AT BROKEN
HILL.
————
(By Telegraph.)

Broken Hill, October 14. 

    At the Circuit Court, before Mr Justice Stephens, [sic] to-day the following cases were dealt with:—Henry James Phillips, for embezzlement of post-office money, sentenced to two years and ten months’ imprisonment; Philip McCabe, larceny from the person, dismissed; James Lord, false pretences, dismissed; James Hammond, beastiality, [sic] dismissed; Harriet Hobbs, concealment of birth, nine months’ imprisonment; Ann Martin, maliciously wounding, two years in gaol. This concluded the list. The Judge remarked that when last here, two and a half years ago, he had dealt with no fewer than sixteen cases. He congratulated the district on its freedom from crimes of a serious nature.

 

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¹     Barrier Miner, Mon 28 Sep 1891, p. 2. Emphasis added.