Evening News, Tue 29 Nov 1898 ¹

    At the North Sydney Police Court yesterday a seaman named C Coleman, 42, was charged with a shocking assault on two boys named Percy Wilcox, 12 years of age, and Andrew Matts, 11. Accused, who was said to be a fireman employed on the steamer Kestrel, was committed for trial at the next Court of Quarter Sessions.

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The Sydney Morning Herald, Tue 29 Nov 1898 ²

POLICE COURTS.
———◦———

…
    Assault.—At the North Sydney Court yesterday, before Mr GH Smithers, SM, Charles Coleman, 42, seaman, was charged with having on November 5, [indecently] assaulted Percy Wilcox, a boy aged 12 years. Accused was also charged with a similar offence on Andrew Matts, aged 11. The accused, who denied the charges, was committed for trial.

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The Daily Telegraph, Thu 15 Dec 1898 ³

METROPOLITAN QUARTER SESSIONS.
———
(Before Judge Fitzhardinge and juries.)

    Mr WL Merewether prosecuted on behalf of the Crown.

A SERIOUS CHARGE.

    Charles Coleman, a man of respectable appearance, described as a fireman, was charged with committing and abominable offence at North Sydney on the 6th November. The evidence was of a most revolting character. There were no previous convictions against the accused. Noting this, in delivering sentence, his Honor commented severely on the heinous nature of the crime. Eighteen months’ hard labour was the sentence imposed.

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The Sydney Morning Herald, Thu 15 Dec 1898 ⁴

METROPOLITAN QUARTER SESSIONS.
(Before his Honor Judge Fitzhardinge and juries.)

    Mr Merewether prosecuted on behalf of the Crown.
…

INDECENT ASSAULT.

    Charles Coleman was found guilty of indecent assault, and was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment.

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Charles Coleman, Gaol photo sheet ⁵

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Gaol Photo Sheet - Transcribed Details

No. 7608
5495/98

Date when Portrait was taken: 15-12-1898

Name: Charles Coleman

Native place: England Year of birth: 1856 Arrived       Ship: Rodney in Colony }   Year: 1888 Trade or occupation previous to conviction  } Seaman Religion: C of E Education, degree of: R&W Height: 5' 4⅝" Weight     On committal: 139 in lbs     } On discharge: Colour of hair: Light brown Colour of eyes: Grey

Marks or special features: Blue spots inside at wrist which appear to have been broken. Scars in palm right hand. Highlander outside left forearm. Faint ring on left middle finger. Sailor and Barrel with flag inside forearm. Deep scar on top of head bold. Nose crooked.

(No. of previous Portrait ... )  PREVIOUS CONVICTIONS
Where and When				Offence.	Sentence
Sydney Q.S	14	12	1898	Indecent assault on a male person	18 months H.L.

 

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¹     Evening News, (Sydney, NSW), Tue 29 Nov 1898, p. 3.

2     The Sydney Morning Herald, Tue 29 Nov 1898, p. 7.

³     The Daily Telegraph, Thu 15 Dec 1898, p. 8.

⁴     The Sydney Morning Herald, Thu 15 Dec 1898, p. 4.

⁵     SRNSW: NRS2138, [3/6063], Darlinghurst Gaol photographic description book, 1898-1899, No. 7608, p. 181, R5107.

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