The Maitland Daily Mercury, Tue 7 Apr 1908 ¹

MAITLAND CIRCUIT COURT.
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Before His Honor Justice Sly.
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    The sittings of the Maitland Circuit Court opened at the Courthouse, East Maitland, this morning, before His Honor, Justice Sly. Mr GS Waller, Deputy-Sheriff, and Mr TH Wilkinson, PM, occupied seats alongside his Honor. Mr D Wilson was the judge’s associate. Mr C Delohery, acted as Crown Prosecutor, and Mr Clifton Fitzhardinge represented the Crown solicitor.

    Members of the legal profession in attendance were: – Barristers, Messrs RM Shannon, R Cowan, JA Ferguson, and AB Shand; solicitors, Messrs AH James, AB Shaw, WVW Thompson, Jas HF Waller, TA Braye, Jas R Carlton, DLB Glasheen, and WJ Enright. Mr W Jay, Governor of Maitland Gaol was in attendance, and Superintendent Saunders and Inspector Sykes were also present.

JURYMEN EXCUSED.

    Thos Goodyer and Arthur A Warden were excused as jurymen, the former on account of indisposition, and the latter because he had left the district.

THE CIVIL JURY.

    The Crown Prosecutor, in reply to his Honor, said he did not think the civil jury would be required till Friday, and they were accordingly discharged until that morning.

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The Maitland Daily Mercury, Fri 10 Apr 1908 ²

MAITLAND CIRCUIT COURT.
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Friday, April 10.
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Before His Honor Justice Sly.
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    The sittings of the Maitland Circuit Court were continued at the Courthouse, East Maitland, this morning, before His Honor Mr Justice Sly, Mr C Delohery acted as Crown Prosecutor.
…

A SERIOUS CHARGE.

    William George Rumble [aka William George Rumbel] (19), was arraigned on an indictment charging him with having on April 1st, 1908, at Stewart’s Brook, assaulted Pearle Evelyn Bartlett, with intent to commit an abominable offence. Accused, who pleaded not guilty, was defended by Mr R Cowan, instructed by Mr Jas HF Waller.

    The jury, after a retirement of 15 minutes, brought in a verdict of guilty, and accused was sentenced to two years’ hard labour in Maitland Gaol. The judge remarked that if prisoner were an older man he would have inflicted a much heavier sentence.

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Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, Sat 11 Apr 1908 ³

MAITLAND DISTRICT
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“Newcastle Herald” Branch Office:
High-street, West Maitland.
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(From Our Special Representatives.)
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MAITLAND CIRCUIT COURT.
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    The Circuit Court was continued at East Maitland Courthouse, yesterday, before his Honor, Mr Justice Sly. Mr GS Waller was Deputy Sheriff; and Mr C Delohery, Crown Prosecutor.
…

A SERIOUS CHARGE.

    William George Rumble pleaded not guilty to a charge of having, at Stewart’s Brook, on the 1st April, 1908, committed an assault on a young girl. Mr R Cowan, instructed by Mr JHF Waller, of Messrs Waller and Howell, appeared for the accused. Evidence in this case was given by Pearl [Evelyn] Bartlett, Emily Bartlett, Dr Scott, and Constable Robinson. The accused gave an absolute denial to the charge. The jury, after 15 minutes’ retirement, returned with a verdict of guilty. Prisoner was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment with hard labour in Maitland Gaol.

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William George Rumbel, Gaol photo sheet ⁴

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Gaol Photo Sheet - Transcribed Details

No. 10634
08-1806

Date when Portrait was taken: 1-5-1908

Name: William George Rumbel

Native place: Salisbury, NSW Year of birth: 28-1-1889 Arrived       Ship: – in Colony }   Year: – Trade or occupation previous to conviction  } laborer Religion: Wesleyan Education, degree of: R & W Height: 5' 7¼" Weight     On committal: 158 in lbs     } On discharge: Colour of hair: Dark brown Colour of eyes: Brown

Marks or special features: Minus right ring and little fingers, scar over right eye, scars on left leg and foot

(No. of previous Portrait ... )  CONVICTIONS
Where and When				Offence.	Sentence
Maitland CC	10	4	1908	Assault with intent to commit buggery	2 years HL Maitland Gaol

 

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¹     The Maitland Daily Mercury, Tue 7 Apr 1908, p. 5.

²     The Maitland Daily Mercury, Fri 10 Apr 1908, p. 5.

³     Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, Sat 11 Apr 1908, p. 6. Emphasis added.

⁴     SRNSW: NRS2138, [3/6072], Darlinghurst Gaol photographic description book, 1907-1909, No. 10634, p. 365, R5112.

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