Evening News, Tue 3 Feb 1885 ¹

SYDNEY QUARTER SESSIONS.
————
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2.

    The Metropolitan Court of Quarter Sessions was continued on Monday before District Court Judge Forbes. Mr Edward Lee, barrister, prosecuted on behalf of the Crown.
…

INDECENT ASSAULT.

    John O’Connor Kelly was arraigned on a charge of having attempted to commit an unnatural offence upon Thos Purcell, in Hyde Park, on the evening of Dec 22. It appeared that about 10 pm on the date mentioned the prosecutor was sitting on one of the seats in the park, when the prisoner came up to him, and made improper overtures to him. The prosecutor thereupon got up, and sat down on the grass. He had not, however, been there more than 10 minutes when the prisoner came up behind him, and before he knew what he was about, placed his hands improperly on him. The prosecutor then caught hold of the prisoner, and gave him into custody. A number of certificates of character were handed to his Honor by the prisoner for perusal. The jury brought in a verdict of guilty, and in consideration of the prisoner’s age and previous good character, his Honor awarded the mitigated sentence of two years’ imprisonment in Darlinghurst Gaol.

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The Sydney Morning Herald, Tue 3 Feb 1885 ²

LAW REPORT.
METROPOLITAN QUARTER SESSIONS.
MONDAY [2 Feb 1885]
(Before his Honor Mr District Court Judge Forbes.)

    Mr Edward Lee prosecuted on behalf of the Crown.
…

INDECENT ASSAULTS.

…
     John O’Connor Kelly, an old man, was convicted upon a charge of having indecently assaulted one Thomas Purcell. He was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment, with hard labour, in Darlinghurst gaol.

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John O’Connor Kelly, Gaol photo sheet ³

 

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Gaol Photo Sheet - Transcribed Details

No. 3267
11381-84

Date when Portrait was taken: 24-12-1884                                     

Name: John O’Connor Kelly
(aka John O’Connor Molloy)

Native place: Ireland Year of birth: 1835 Arrived       Ship: Florida in Colony }   Year: 1870 Trade or occupation previous to conviction  } Servant Religion: R Catholic Education, degree of: R&W Height: 5' 5" Weight     On committal: 122 in lbs     } On discharge: Colour of hair: Brown & Grey Colour of eyes: Blue Marks or special features:

Where and when tried: Sydney Quarter Sessions 2nd February 1885 Offence: Indecent assault Sentence: 2 years H.L. Sydney Gaol Remarks: Guilty

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

Where and When				Offence.	Sentence
Central PC Central PC Water PC Water PC Central PC	2   4 17   1   4	3 11   9 12   1	1877 1881 1883 1883 1884	Drunk ditto Having a shovel supposed to be stolen Stealing flowers Drunk	4 days confinement 7 days confinement 7 days confinement 21 days confinement 24 hours confinement

 

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¹   Evening News, (Sydney, NSW), Tue 3 Feb 1885, p. 6.

²   The Sydney Morning Herald, Tue 3 Feb 1885, p. 9.

³   SRNSW: NRS2138, [3/] , Darlinghurst Photograph description books, 1884, No. 3267, p.2 43, R5101.

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