The Tamworth News and Liverpool Plains and Gwydir Districts’ Advertiser, Fri 29 May 1891 1
TAMWORTH QUARTER SESSIONS.
———◦———
THIS DAY.
———
Before His Honor Acting-Judge Gibson.
———
Mr RJ Browning, prosecuted for the crown, and Mr J Garland, junr, was the only other barrister present. Messrs WF Tribe, W Smith, RA Dowe, and Colin J Ross were the solicitors present.
…
———
Henry Fitzsimmons, aged 15, was arraigned on a charge, which broke down owing to the unreliability, of the chief witness, a married woman, named Lizzie Abbott, whom Dr White stated to be an imbecile. At his Honor’s direction the jury returned a verdict of not guilty, and the lad was discharged.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The Tamworth Observer and Northern Advertiser, Sat 30 May 1891 2
QUARTER SESSIONS.
———◦———
FRIDAY, MAY 29th.
————
Before His Honor Acting Judge Gibson.
———
MR BROWNING acted as Crown Prosecutor. The only other barrister, was Mr Garland. The solicitors present were: Messrs W Smith, WF Tribe, RA Dowe, and CJ Ross. Mr LW Broughton, CPS acted in the capacity of Clerk of the Court.
…
———
BESTIALITY.
Henry Fitzsimmons, a lad of tender years, was charged with committing a bestial offence at Dead Horse Gully on April 12 last.
Prisoner pleaded not guilty, and was defended by Mr Garland, instructed by Mr Tribe.
A woman was the only witness on whose evidence the case for the Crown rested, but it was evident from her peculiar conduct in the box that her evidence could not be relied on.
Dr White was called, and in answer to the Judge said he had examined the witness, and although he could not declare her insane, still she was of weak intellect.
Under these circumstances his Honor directed the jury to return a verdict of not guilty, which they did, and the prisoner was discharged.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser, Tue 2 Jun 1891 3
TAMWORTH QUARTER SESSIONS.
————
(Abridged from the Tamworth News.)
The Tamworth Quarter Sessions opened on Friday last before his Honor Acting-Judge Gibson.
…
Henry Fitzsimmons, aged 15, was arraigned on a charge which broke down, owing to the unreliability of the chief witness, a married woman named Lizzie Abbott, whom Dr White stated to be an imbecile. At his Honor’s direction, the jury returned a verdict of not guilty, and the lad was discharged.
1 The Tamworth News and Liverpool Plains and Gwydir Districts’ Advertiser, Fri 29 May 1891, p. 4. Emphasis added.
2 The Tamworth Observer and Northern Advertiser, Sat 30 May 1891, [p. 2]. Emphasis added.
3 The Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser, Tue 2 Jun 1891, p. 4. Emphasis added.