Below also see: Claude Sutton, 1927 – Buggery,
James Simpson, 1934 – Indecent assault,
Claude Sutton, 1951

 

Northern Star, Wed 8 May 1918 ¹

PERSONAL.
———◦———

…
    Mrs Walz, Dawson street, Lismore, is in receipt of a letter and photos from her nephew, Private Claude Sutton, of the AIF. The photos depict Pte Sutton with about a dozen other Australian soldiers in No. 1 Australian Auxiliary Hospital Harefield, Middlesex, England. In his letter he thanks his aunt for a Christmas parcel which he received in hospital on February 22. After being wounded he was for some weeks at Exeter VAD Hospital, Devonshire, but was later on transferred to Harefield. In both hospitals he says he received splendid treatment. In the former hospital they were all English doctors and nurses, but the Harefield Hospital is staffed by Australians and have only Australian patients. He says it is great to be away from the roar of the guns and the mud and dirt of France, to say nothing of the terrible slaughter and danger there. In the photo he is sitting on the floor with his left leg in splints, but since the photo was taken he had undergone a second operation and was a bed patient again. He was in good health and spirits.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Sydney Morning Herald, Thu 14 Feb 1924 ²

LAW NOTICES.
———◦———
Thursday, February 14.

…

QUARTER SESSIONS.

    No. 1 Court.—Ernest Lambourne, false pretences; Claude William Smith, assault occasioning actual bodily harm; Allen Henry Gibson, false pretences; Claude Sutton, indecency.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Sydney Morning Herald, Fri 15 Feb 1924 ³

QUARTER SESSIONS.
No. 1 COURT.
(Before Judge Cohen.)

    Crown Prosecutor, Mr LJ McKean.
…

INDECENT ASSAULT.

    Claude Sutton ⁴ pleaded guilty to having at Sydney on December 15, indecently assaulted a male person, [Lionel Burke, 9 years of age], and was remanded for sentence. Mr RD Meagher (of RD Meagher, Hogarth, and Co.) Appeared for the accused.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Daily Telegraph, Sat 16 Feb 1924 ⁵

CRIMINAL
————
(Before Judge Cohen).

    Crown Prosecutor: Mr LJ McKean.
…

SENTENCES.

    The following persons who had pleaded guilty, or who had been convicted, were sentenced:—

    Claude Sutton, a young man, a serious offence—two years’ imprisonment in Grafton gaol.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Sydney Morning Herald, Sat 16 Feb 1924 ⁶

QUARTER SESSIONS.
No. 1 COURT.
(Before Judge Cohen.)

    Crown Prosecutor, Mr LJ McKean.

SENTENCES.

    Persons who had pleaded guilty, or had been convicted, were sentenced or otherwise dealt with as follow:—
…
    Claude Sutton, aged 30 years, clerk, indecent assault on a male person, two years imprisonment with hard labour in Grafton Gaol.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Claude Sutton, Gaol photo sheet ⁷

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Gaol Photo Sheet - Transcribed Details

No. 19928

Date when Portrait was taken: 16-2-1924

Name: Claude Sutton

Native place: Grafton NSW Year of birth: 18-10-1893 Arrived       Ship: in Colony }   Year: BS Trade or occupation previous to conviction  } Clerk Religion: C of E Education, degree of: R & W Height: 5' 2¾" Weight     On committal: 130 in lbs     } On discharge: Colour of hair: Brown Colour of eyes: Blue

Marks or special features: Skin of face pitted & blotched

(No. of previous Portrait ... )  CONVICTIONS
Where and When				Offence.	Sentence
Ashfield PC ditto Sydney Q.S	10 10 14	1 1 2	1922 1822 1924	Vagrancy Drunk Indecent assault on a male person	2 months H.L. 8/6 or 24 hours HL  |  Concurrent 2 years HL

 

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Claude Sutton, 1927

The Daily Telegraph, Wed 2 Feb 1927 ⁸

LAW NOTICES
———◦———
TO-DAY’s LIST.

…

SYDNEY QUARTER SESSIONS.

…
    No. 2 Court.—Tessie Fraser and John Fuz, robbery; Robert John Carmichael, break, enter, and steal; Claude Sutton, indecent offence; Charles Tarleton, break, enter, and steal; John Anderson and Leo Moncrieff, break, enter, and steal (for pleas only).

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Sydney Morning Herald, Wed 2 Feb 1927 ⁹

LAW NOTICES.
———
Wednesday, February 2.

…

QUARTER SESSIONS.

…
    No. 2 Court.—Tessie Fraser and John Fuz, robbery; Robert John Carmichael, break, enter, and steal; Claude Sutton, indecent offence; Charles Tarleton, break, enter, and steal; John Anderson and leo Moncrieff, break, enter, and steal (for pleas only).

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Sydney Morning Herald, Thu 3 Feb 1927 ¹⁰

QUARTER SESSIONS.
No. 1 Court.
(Before Judge Cohen.)
Crown Prosecutor, Mr Neil McTague.

…

No. 2 Court.
(Before Acting Judge Monahan.)
Crown Prosecutor, Mr LJ McKean.

…

INDECENT ASSAULT.

    Claude Sutton, 33, labourer, pleaded guilty to committing an indecent assault upon a boy, [Douglas Stone, aka Douglas George Strong, 11 years of age], at Abbotsford, on January 13, and was remanded for sentence.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Sydney Morning Herald, Fri 4 Feb 1927 ¹¹

QUARTER SESSIONS.
No. 1 COURT.
(Before Judge Cohen.)
Crown Prosecutor, Mr Neil McTague.

…

No. 2 COURT.
(Before Acting Judge Monahan.)
Crown Prosecutor, Mr LJ McKean.

SENTENCES.

    The following persons, who had pleaded guilty to the charges preferred against them, received the following sentences:—
…
    Claude Sutton, 33, labourer, indecent assault on a boy, three years’ penal servitude in Maitland Gaol.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Claude Sutton, Gaol photo sheet ¹²

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Gaol Photo Sheet - Transcribed Details

No. 22049

Date when Portrait was taken: 4-2-1927

Name: Claude Sutton

Native place: Grafton Year of birth: 18-10-1893 Arrived       Ship: in Colony }   Year: BS Trade or occupation previous to conviction  } Clerk Religion: C of E Education, degree of: R & W Height: 5' 2¾" Weight     On committal: 139 in lbs     } On discharge: Colour of hair: Brown Colour of eyes: Blue

Marks or special features: Skin on face pitted

(No. of previous Portrait .. 19928) CONVICTIONS
Where and When				Offence.	Sentence
Sydney Q.S	2	2	1927	Indecent assault on a male person	3 years HL. To date from 20/1/1927
And 3 previous convictions for which See Photo No. As above

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Claude Sutton, Gaol photo sheet ¹³

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Gaol Photo Sheet - Transcribed Details

No. 2092
Maitland

Date when Portrait was taken: 28-5-1929

Name: Claude Sutton

Native place: Grafton Year of birth: 18-10-1893 Arrived       Ship: in Colony }   Year: Trade or occupation previous to conviction  } Clerk Religion: C of E Education, degree of: R & W Height: 5' 2¾" Weight     On committal: in lbs     } On discharge: Colour of hair: Brown Colour of eyes: Blue

Marks or special features:

(No. of previous Portrait .. 19928, 22049) CONVICTIONS
Where and When				Offence.	Sentence
Sydney Q.S	2	2	1927	Indecent assault on a male person	3 years P.S.
3 previous convictions

 

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James Simpson, 1933

    [Unfortunately no newspaper articles could be located dealing with the 4 Jan 1933 Newton Police Court trial of James Simpson – aka Claude Sutton.]

 

James Simpson, Gaol photo sheet ¹⁴

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Gaol Photo Sheet - Transcribed Details 

Name James Simpson (aka Claude Sutton) No. 27160 Date when Portrait was taken: 5-1-1933								Finger Print Classification
Native Place Grafton Year of Birth 18-10-1893 Arrived in State   Ship                        }     Year Trade or occupation previous to conviction  } Clerk Religion C of E Education, degree of R & W Height, without shoes 5' 2¾" Weight in lbs.     On committal 151                      }     On discharge Colour of hair Brown Colour of eyes Blue Marks or special features Face pitted with small scars					(Nos. of previous Portrait 19928, 22048, 2092 Maitland)
CONVICTIONS St 7574 97939
Court.	Date			Offence.		Sentence	Name.		Gaol No.
Newtown PC	4	1	1933	Suspected person		6 months HL	James Simpson or Claude Sutton		59
And 4 previous convictions

 

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James Simpson, 1934

The Sydney Morning Herald, Tue 20 Mar 1934 ¹⁵

LAW NOTICES.
————
Tuesday, March 20.
————

…

PARRAMATTA QUARTER SESSIONS.

    John Edwin Fitzgerald Burns, sheep stealing (part heard); James Simpson, [aka Claude Sutton], serious offence; George Henry Gambrill, carnal knowledge of daughter. The jurors, others than those engaged n the above part-heard case, are not required to attend until 11.30 am.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Sydney Morning Herald, Wed 21 Mar 1934 ¹⁶

PARRAMATTA QUARTER
SESSIONS.
(Before Judge Sheridan.)
Mr PV Stacey, Crown Prosecutor.

…

“DIABOLICAL KINK.”

    James Simpson, (40), labourer, pleaded not guilty to a serious offence against a boy aged 11 years at Blacktown on February 17, but guilty to an alternative charge of indecent assault.

    Previous convictions against the accused were read, and it was stated that he had been sentenced to two years’ imprisonment with hard labour in 1924, and to three years in 1927, for similar offences.

    “I am sorry for you,” said his Honor, addressing the accused. “You apparently have a kink in this diabolical way. A decent citizen would revolt at this king of thing. The only way for me is to make it safe for young boys.”

    His Honor sentenced accused to 12 months’ imprisonment with hard labour, and declared him an habitual criminal.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers’ Advocate, Thu 22 Mar 1934 ¹⁷

SERIOUS OFFENCE
———◦———
THIRD CONVICTION
———◦———
DECLARED HABITUAL
CRIMINAL
————

    “I’m sorry for you. Apparently, you are a man who has a kink in the diabolical way. It’s no use approaching you in the same way as one would approach an ordinary citizen. An ordinary citizen would revolt at doing a think like that; but you keep continually doing it. To save the young people of the community from a man like you, the only thing to is to declare you an habitual criminal.”

    Judge Sheridan, at the Parramatta Quarter Sessions on Tuesday, thus addressed James Simpson (40), who had pleaded guilty to a serious charge involving indecent conduct.

    The offence was committed at Blacktown on February 17.

    Simpson’s record disclosed that, for offences of similar nature, he was sentenced to two years in 1924, and to three years in 1927.

    His Honour sentenced Simpson to twelve months’ hard labour and declared him an habitual criminal.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

James Simpson, Gaol photo sheet ¹⁸

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Gaol Photo Sheet - Transcribed Details 

Name James Simpson (aka Claude Sutton) No. 28202 Date when Portrait was taken: 13-4-1934								Finger Print Classification
Native Place Grafton Year of Birth 18-10-1893 Arrived in State   Ship                        }     Year – Trade or occupation previous to conviction  } Labourer Religion C of E Education, degree of R & W Height, without shoes 5' 2½" Weight in lbs.     On committal 128                      }     On discharge Colour of hair Brown Colour of eyes Blue Marks or special features Skin of face pitted & blotched					(Nos. of previous Portrait 19928, 22049, 27160, Maitland 2092)
CONVICTIONS St 7574 97939
Court.	Date			Offence.		Sentence	Name.		Gaol No.
Parramatta Q.S	20	3	1934	Indecent assault on a male person		12 months HL & Habitual Criminal to date from 9-3-1934	James Simpson S Pen S Pen		2374  38/276  39/210
5 previous convictions

 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Returned Soldiers’ Institute letter regarding James Simpson, 2 Mar 1940 ¹⁹

 

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Claude Sutton, 1951

Office of the Melbourne Public Trustee letter, 17 Aug 1951 ²⁰

 

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¹     Northern Star (Lismore, NSW), Wed 8 May 1918, p. 4.

²     The Sydney Morning Herald, Thu 14 Feb 1924, p. 5. Emphasis added.

³     The Sydney Morning Herald, Fri 15 Feb 1924, p. 6.

⁴     To view the digitised WWI service record (service No. 6885, barcode 8096287) of Claude Sutton go to: www.naa.gov.au

⁵     The Daily Telegraph, Sat 16 Feb 1924, p. 21.

⁶     The Sydney Morning Herald, Sat 16 Feb 1924, p. 14.

⁷     SRNSW: NRS2467, [3/6111], State Penitentiary photographic description book, 14 Jan 1924-5 Jun 1924, No. 19928, p. 58.

⁸     The Daily Telegraph, Wed 2 Feb 1927, p. 13. Emphasis added.

⁹     The Sydney Morning Herald, Wed 2 Feb 1927, p. 12. Emphasis added.

¹⁰   The Sydney Morning Herald, Thu 3 Feb 1927, p. 7.

¹¹   The Sydney Morning Herald, Fri 4 Feb 1927, p. 5.

¹²   SRNSW: NRS2467, [3/6118], State Penitentiary photographic description book, 19 Nov 1926-5 May 1927, No. 22049, p. 101.

¹³   SRNSW: NRS2327, [3/5992], Maitland Gaol Photograph description sheets, 1875-1930, No. 2092, p. 61, R5132.

¹⁴   SRNSW: NRS– [17/1506], State Penitentiary photographic description book, 3 Feb 1933-25 Mar 1933, No. 27160, p. –.

¹⁵   The Sydney Morning Herald, Tue 20 Mar 1934, p. 6. Emphasis added.

¹⁶   The Sydney Morning Herald, Wed 21 Mar 1934, p. 8.

¹⁷   The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers’ Advocate (Parramatta), Thu 22 Mar 1934, p. 17. Emphasis in original text.

¹⁸   SRNSW: NRS– [17/1510], State Penitentiary photographic description book, 24 Feb 1934-18 May 1934, No. 28202, p. –.

¹⁹   NAA: B2455, Sutton Claude, p. 18 .

²⁰   NAA: B2455, Sutton Claude, p. 24 .

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