The Sydney Morning Herald, Fri 18 Nov 1887 ¹

POLICE.
———◦———

    Mr Johnson, SM, presided in the Charge Division at the CENTRAL POLICE COURT yesterday.

    George Cooper, Thomas Ryan, and George Harrison, alias “Carry Swain,” were each sentenced to three months’ hard labour for being idle and disorderly persons.
…
    Mr H Byrnes, JP, disposed of the business at the PARRAMATTA POLICE COURT.

    Robert Goddard [aka Robert Goddart] and James [or William] Buckley, two youths, inmates of the George-street Asylum, Parramatta, were remanded for a week, on a charge of committing an unnatural offence.

    Robin Louis, who is at present serving a sentence of two years in Darlinghurst gaol, was committed to take his trial at the next Sydney Quarter Sessions, on a charge of having, on the 15th of February, 1885, burglariously entered the Granville Hotel, and stolen therefrom a silver watch and gold albert, one pair of gold earrings, and one gold brooch.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Cumberland Mercury and Rural Gazette, Sat 19 Nov 1887 ²

POLICE NEWS.
————
PARRAMATTA.
————
MONDAY, NOVEMEBR 14.
(Before Messrs H Byrnes, R Harper and J Whitworth, J’sP.)

…

————
THURSDAY, 17th NOVEMBER.
(Before Mr H Byrnes, JP.)

    Robert Goddard, 17, and James Buckley, 16, two inmates of the George-street asylum, were charged with an unnatural offence.—The case was heard with closed doors. —Remanded for a week.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Sydney Morning Herald, Fri 25 Nov 1887 ³

POLICE.
———◦———

…
    Mr H Byrnes, JP, presided at the PARRAMATTA POLICE COURT. Robert Goddard, a boy, 17 years of age, and recently an inmate of the George-street Asylum, was committed to stand his trial at the next Parramatta Quarter Sessions on a charge of committing an indecent assault on a male person.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Cumberland Mercury and Rural Gazette, Sat 26 Nov 1887 ⁴

POLICE NEWS.
————
PARRAMATTA.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23.
(Before Messrs H Byrnes, R Harper, and E Pearce, J’sP.)

…

THURSDAY, 24th NOVEMBER.
(Before Mr H Byrnes, JP.)

…
    Robert Goddard (17) and James Buckley (15), on remand, were charged with an unnatural offence. Buckley was discharged, and Goddard was committed to take his trial at the next Parramatta Quarter Sessions. The boy Buckley was detained pending arrangements being made for sending him to Newcastle Asylum [for Imbeciles].

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Cumberland Mercury and Rural Gazette, Sat 4 Feb 1888 ⁵

PARRAMATTA QUARTER SESSIONS.
———◦———
(Before Mr District-Court Judge Wilkinson.)
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3.

    His Honor took his seat at 10 am. Mr E Lee, barrister-at-law, acted as Crown Prosecutor, and Mr WR Beaver as Clerk of the Peace.
…

INDECENT ASSAULT.

    Robert Goddard, 18, was charged with having indecently assaulted James Buckley, 16, on the 16th November last. Prisoner, who was undefended, pleaded not guilty. Evidence was given that prisoner had been an inmate of the George-street Benevolent Asylum on the date in question, and the offence had been committed in the kitchen of that establishment.

    Dr [William Bradley] Violette gave evidence, at the request of the jurymen, to the effect that the prisoner was in his right mind and fully responsible for his actions.

(Jury locked up.)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Sydney Morning Herald, Sat 4 Feb 1888 ⁶

PARRAMATTA QUARTER SESSIONS.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3.
(Before Mr District Court Judge WILKINSON.)

    Mr Lee prosecuted for the Crown, and Mr WR Beaver acted as Clerk of the Peace.
…

CHARGE OF INDECENT ASSAULT.

    Robert Goddard, a boy, was charged with having committed an indecent assault upon one William [aka James] Buckley at the Parramatta George-street Asylum . Accused pleaded not guilty; and, as the jury were unable to agree, they were locked up for the night.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Sydney Morning Herald, Mon 6 Feb 1888 ⁷

LAW REPORT.
———◦———
PARRAMATTA QUARTER SESSIONS.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4.
(Before Mr District Court Judge WILKINSON.)

    Mr Lee prosecuted for the Crown.

INDECENT ASSAULT.

    On the Court reopening, the jury in the case of Robert Goddard, charged with indecently assaulting James Buckley at the George-street asylum, Parramatta, who were locked up all night, as they were unable to agree, stated that there was no likelihood of their agreeing, and they were discharged.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Sydney Morning Herald, Tue 7 Feb 1888 ⁸

PARRAMATTA QUARTER SESSIONS.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 6.
(Before his Honor Mr District Court Judge Wilkinson.)

…

REMANDED.

    Robert Goddard, charged with indecent assault, upon whose case the jury were unable to agree, and Frederick Mellar, charged with false pretences, were remanded till next sessions.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Cumberland Mercury and Rural Gazette, Wed 8 Feb 1888 ⁹

PARRAMATTA QUARTER SESSIONS.
————
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4.
(Before Mr District Court Judge Wilkinson.)

    His Honor took his seat at 10 am.

UNNATURAL OFFENCE.

    The jury in the case of Robert Goddard, charged with an unnatural offence, after being locked up all night, stated that they could not agree, and they were therefore discharged.—Goddard was removed in custody.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Sydney Morning Herald, Mon 7 May 1888 ¹⁰

PARRAMATTA QUARTER SESSIONS.
SATURDAY, MAY 5.
(Before his Honor Judge DOWLING.)

…
    Robert Goddard, 17, was found guilty of an indecent assault upon an imbecile named James Buckley, on the 16th November last. He was found guilty, and recommended to mercy, in consideration of the time he had been imprisoned. Sentenced to one month in Parramatta gaol. Prisoner and Buckley were inmates of the George-street Asylum, Parramatta.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Cumberland Mercury and Rural Gazette, Wed 9 May 1888 ¹¹

PARRAMATTA QUARTER SESSIONS.
———◦———
FRIDAY, MAY 4.

    The Sessions opened before His Honor Judge Dowling, Mr Robert J Browning acting as Crown Prosecutor and Mr WR Beaver as Clerk of the Peace. The legal profession was represented by Messrs CG Wade, and W Blackett, barristers; JE Bowden, HA Richardson, and RH Levien, solicitors. Twelve cases were set down for hearing.
…

SATURDAY, MAY 5.

…
    Robert Goddard, aged 17, lately an inmate of the George-street Benevolent Asylum, Parramatta, was charged with an indecent assault upon an imbecile named James Buckley, aged 15, on the 16th of November last.—Prisoner had been brought up at the February Sessions, and the jury being unable to agree, he was remanded to gaol. After hearing the evidence, which has already appeared in these columns, prisoner was found guilty with a very strong recommendation to mercy on account of the time he had been already in gaol.—Sentenced to one month in Parramatta gaol.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Robert Goddard, Gaol photo sheet ¹² 

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Gaol Photo Sheet - Transcribed Details

No. 399
Parramatta

Date when Portrait was taken: 14th February 1888                                           

Name: Robert Goddard

Native place: Native of Colony Year of birth: 1870 Arrived       Ship: — in Colony }   Year: — Trade or occupation previous to conviction  } Laborer Religion: Church of England Education, degree of: Nil Height: 5' 2" Weight     On committal: in lbs     } On discharge: Colour of hair: Brown Colour of eyes: Hazel Marks or special features: Mole under left fore am, 2 cuts under right wrist. Mole on back of neck.

Where and when tried: Parramatta [Q.S.] 5 May 1888 Offence: Indecent assault male child Sentence: 1 month L Remarks:—

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

 

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¹     The Sydney Morning Herald, Fri 18 Nov 1887, p. 4. Emphasis added.

²     The Cumberland Mercury and Rural Gazette, Sat 19 Nov 1887, p. 7.

³     The Sydney Morning Herald, Fri 25 Nov 1887, p. 4.

⁴     The Cumberland Mercury and Rural Gazette, Sat 26 Nov 1887, p. 3.

⁵     The Cumberland Mercury and Rural Gazette, Sat 4 Feb 1888, p. 4. Emphasis added.

⁶     The Sydney Morning Herald, Sat 4 Feb 1888, p. 16.

⁷     The Sydney Morning Herald, Mon 6 Feb 1888, p. 4.

⁸     The Sydney Morning Herald, Tue 7 Feb 1888, p. 9. Emphasis added.

⁹     The Cumberland Mercury and Rural Gazette, Wed 8 Feb 1888, p. 2.

¹⁰   The Sydney Morning Herald, Mon 7 May 1888, p. 3.

¹¹   The Cumberland Mercury and Rural Gazette, Wed 9 May 1888, p. 5.

¹²   SRNSW: NRS2397, [3/6009], Parramatta photographic description book, 1880-1891, No. 399, p. 165, R5136.

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