Fletcher Watson, 1897
Below also see: Fletcher Watson, 1898,
Fletcher Watson, 1899,
Fletcher Watson, 1902 – Indecent exposure
Fletcher Watson, 1902 – Indecent assault

 

Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, Sat 26 Jun 1897 ¹

NEWCASTLE POLICE COURT.
———◦———
Friday, June 25.
(Before Mr CN Payten, SM.)
————
THE ONLY ONE.

FLETCHER WATSON, a labourer, was the only occupant of the dock, and he pleaded guilty to being drunk in the alien suburb on the previous afternoon. Constable King effected the arrest, and for raising a row, Watson got the “rising.”

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Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, Thu 29 Jul 1897 ²

NEWCASTLE POLICE COURT.
———◦———
Tuesday, July 28,
————
(Before Mr Jas Mair, SM.)
————

…

THEFT OF RAILWAY CHAIRS.

    Fletcher Watson, 27, a labourer, was charged with stealing seven railway chairs, valued at 7s, the property of the Newcastle Coal Mining Company, Limited, at Newcastle, on the 27th instant.

    Constable Dwan said from something he was told the previous afternoon he went to one of the signal boxes on the line, where he saw the accused, who was moving towards Mr Ash’s timber yard. Witness intercepted him, and asked him if he had taken any railway chairs from the signal box. He replied that he had not, and that he had not been near the signal box. Witness subsequently recovered the bag (produced), which contained seven chairs, in Ash’s timber yard. The accused denied that the bag was his property, and in answer to the charge at the lockup he made no reply. He was under the influence of liquor at the time he was arrested.

    Thos Wm Weir, a signalman, in the joint employ of the AA Company and the Newcastle Coal Company, said that he saw the accused near the signal-box on the previous afternoon. He feigned drunkenness, but witness saw him put three chairs into a bag and take them away in the direction of Ash’s timber yard.

    Joseph Croft, colliery manager, of the Newcastle Coal Mining Company, said the chair (produced) was like the one the company used for repairing.

    The accused pleaded guilty, and was fined £2, in default 21 days imprisonment.

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Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, Thu 2 Dec 1897 ³

NEWCASTLE POLICE COURT.
———◦———
Wednesday, December 1.
————
(Before Mr Jas Mair, SM.)
————
THE MISSING SCREW-JACKS.

FLETCHER WATSON, a labourer, was charged with stealing two bottle screw-jacks, valued at £5, the property of the Newcastle Borough Council, at Newcastle, between the 26th and 30th November.

    Constable [David] Broder deposed to the arrest of the accused, who made no reply to the charge when the screw-jacks were recovered at Cavanagh’s second-hand shop. At the time of his arrest the accused had 10 glass lamps in his possession.

    Walter Burnett, a labourer, said he saw the accused in Hunter-street West at 6 o’clock on Friday last. He bought from him the screw-jacks (produced), which the accused was carrying on his shoulder. He asked witness to buy the jack, for which he wanted 2s. Witness gave him 1s 3d for it, and the accused gave him the receipt (produced).

    John Cavanagh, a second-hand dealer, said he bought a screw-jack from the accused for 2s 6d. He said the jack was his own property.

    John Marshall, and engine-driver in the employ of the council, said he first missed the screw-jacks (produced) yesterday. They were the property of the council, and he last saw them on Saturday last. About three or four weeks ago the accused was employed carting to the stone-crusher. The jacks were valued at 50s each.

    The accused pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment in Maitland Gaol with hard labour.

    The accused was then charged with stealing ten lamp glasses and two burners, the property of the Newcastle Borough Council, valued at 6s.

    Constable Broder said he saw the accused at 6 o’clock on the previous afternoon carrying a bundle which contained ten lamp glasses and two burners. He arrested him, and at the lockup the accused made no reply to the charge.

    John Marshall, in the employ of the council, said he had full charge of the engine-shed, in which was stored a number of lamp-glasses and burners like those produced. The handkerchief (produced) was his property, and he last saw it at the shed on Friday lat. He had missed ten lamps and five burners from the shed.

    The accused pleaded guilty and was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment.

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The Sydney Morning Herald, Thu 2 Dec 1897 ⁴

NEWCASTLE.
———◦———

…

THEFT OF MUNICIPAL PROPERTY.
———

    At the City Court to-day, before Mr James Mair, SM, a labourer named Fletcher Watson was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment in Maitland Gaol on a charge of having stolen two bottles screw-jacks, valued at £5,, the property of the Newcastle City Council. On a second charge of having stolen 10 lamp glasses and two burners, also the property of the Newcastle Borough Council, the accused was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment in Maitland Gaol. The prisoner pleaded guilty to both charges.

 

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Fletcher Watson, 1898

Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, Tue 25 Oct 1898 ⁵

NEWCASTLE POLICE COURT
———◦———
Monday, October 24.
————
(Before Mr Payten, SM.)
————
DRUNKENNESS, &c.

    Fredk Cummings, Thos O’Neill, Charles Etkrotch, Thomas Brady, John Devine, Charles Morgan, and Fletcher Watson were each fined for drunkenness.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, Tue 20 Dec 1898 ⁶

NEWCASTLE POLICE COURT
———◦———
Monday, December 19.
————
(Before Mr Payten, SM.)
————

…

LARCENY.

    Fletcher Watson and Henry Stanborough (labourers) were charged with having in company at Newcastle, on the 17th inst, stolen a cast-iron pipe and a hammer, valued at £1, the property of the Newcastle Borough Council.

    Constable Broder gave evidence respecting accused’s arrest.

    Henry Lott and John Marshall, two of the council’s employees, having tendered evidence as to the ownership and value of the property and the nature of the offence, accused elected to be summarily dealt with .

    Watson (an old offender) was sentenced to four months’ imprisonment, with hard labour, in Maitland Gaol; and Stanborough was fined 40s, with the option of 21 days’ imprisonment in Maitland Gaol with hard labour.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Fletcher Watson, Gaol photo sheet ⁷

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Gaol Photo Sheet - Transcribed Details

No. 1058
M[aitland]

Date when Portrait was taken: 28-1-1898

Name: Fletcher Watson

Native place: BC Victoria Year of birth: 1870 Arrived       Ship: in Colony }   Year: Trade or occupation previous to conviction  } Laborer Religion: C of E Education, degree of: R & W Height: 5' 3½" Weight     On committal: 147 in lbs     } On discharge: Colour of hair: Brown Colour of eyes: Blue

Marks or special features: Scar on nose & neck

(No. of previous Portrait ... )  CONVICTIONS
Where and When				Offence.	Sentence
Newcastle PC ditto	28   1	7 12	1897 1987	Stealing Stealing (2 charges)	£2 or 21 days C 6 months H.L. & 6 Months C. (Accumulative)

 

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Fletcher Watson, 1899

Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, Sat 8 Jul 1899 ⁸

NEWCASTLE POLICE COURT.
———◦———
Friday, July 7.
———
(Before Mr CN Payten, SM.)

…

THEFT OF IRON.

    Fletcher Watson, described as a labourer, was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment on a charge of stealing a quantity of scrap iron, the property of JB Barclay, of Hamilton.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Fletcher Watson, Gaol photo sheet ⁹

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Gaol Photo Sheet - Transcribed Details

No. 1058
M[aitland]

Date when Portrait was taken: 28-1-1898

Name: Fletcher Watson

Native place: BC Victoria Year of birth: 1870 Arrived       Ship: in Colony }   Year: Trade or occupation previous to conviction  } Laborer Religion: C of E Education, degree of: R & W Height: 5' 3½" Weight     On committal: 147 in lbs     } On discharge: Colour of hair: Brown Colour of eyes: Blue

Marks or special features: Scar on nose & neck

(No. of previous Portrait ... )  CONVICTIONS
Where and When				Offence.	Sentence
Newcastle PC ditto ditto ditto ditto Newcastle Q.S Newcastle Q.S	28   1 24 19   7   5   2	7 12 10 12   7   3 12	1897 1897 1898 1898 1899 1902 1902	Stealing Stealing (2 charges) Drunk Stealing ditto Indecently expose person Indecent assault on a male person	£2 or 21 days C 6 months H.L. 3 months C (Acc) 10/- or 4 days. Served 4 months H Labor 3 months H Labor 6 months H Labor 2½ years H Labor

 

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Fletcher Watson, 1902

Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, Tue 11 Feb 1902 ¹⁰

NEWCASTLE POLICE COURT.
———◦———
Monday, February 10.
————
(Before Mr MS Love, SM.)
————
SUNDRY OFFENCES.

…
    Fletcher Watson, 30 years, labourer, was charged with being guilty of a grossly indecent act. Evidence was given by Constable [Paul] Vincent and two girls. The accused gave evidence in denial of the charge. He was committed too stand his trial at the Newcastle Quarter Sessions, to be held on March 4. An application for bail was granted—self in £80 and two sureties of £40 each.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Sydney Morning Herald, Tue 11 Feb 1902 ¹¹

NEWCASTLE.
———◦———

…

THE CITY COURT.
————

    At the City Police Court to-day a labourer named Fletcher Watson, 36, was committed to stand his trial at the March sittings of the Newcastle Court of Quarter Sessions on a serious charge. Bail was allowed.

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Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, Thu 6 Mar 1902 ¹²

NEWCASTLE QUARTER SESSIONS
——–▴—•—▴——–
Wednesday, March 5.
———
(Before His Honor Judge Rogers.)

    The business of the Newcastle Court of Quarter Sessions was continued yesterday, before his Honor Judge Rogers. Mr AF Dawson prosecuted for the Crown.

    The following additional persons were sworn in as justices of the peace:– Mr J Estell, MP, Messrs Thomas Wilson, William Stronach, Samuel S Cohen, Thomas Henry Little, and James Myers.
…

INDECENT OFFENCE.
——

    Fletcher Watson (on bail), a horse-driver, was presented on a charge of indecent exposure in a certain open place in Bull-street, Cook’s Hill, on 8th February last.

    Mr R Cowan, instructed by Mr WA Reid, appeared for the accused.

    The case for the Crown was that two girls, living with their step-father at the corner of Bruce and Bull streets, Cook’s Hill, saw the accused on the railway line. He then left the line and went into a shad adjoining the girls’ dwelling-house to lay down. The girls went to the shed to tell him to clear out, whereupon he committed the offence set out in the indictment.

    Accused gave evidence on his own behalf. He denied the charge. He said one of the girls waved to him to go into the shed.

    Cross-examined by Mr Dawson, the accused admitted five convictions for larceny, for which he had received sentences amounting to 19 months in all.

    After addresses by counsel, his Honor summed up somewhat against the prisoner.

    The jury retired at the lunch adjournment, and on the resumption of the court they returned a verdict of “guilty”.

    Prisoner when asked if he had anything to say, said he was not guilty.

    His Honor: The jury have thought otherwise, and so do I.

    Prisoner was then sentenced to six months’ imprisonment with hard labour in Maitland Gaol.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Fletcher Watson, Gaol photo sheet ¹³

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Gaol Photo Sheet - Transcribed Details

No. 1261
Maitland

Date when Portrait was taken: 25-6-1902

Name: Fletcher Watson

Native place: Ballarat Victoria Year of birth: 1872 Arrived       Ship: in Colony }   Year: Trade or occupation previous to conviction  } Horse Driver Religion: C of E Education, degree of: R & W Height without shoes: 5' 3¼" Weight     On committal: 136 lbs in lbs     } On discharge: Colour of hair: Brown Colour of eyes: Brown

Marks or special features: Large Brown mole on right foot near big toe.

(No. of previous Portrait ... 1058 Maitland)  CONVICTIONS
Where and When				Offence.	Sentence
Newcastle PC ditto ditto ditto ditto ditto  Newcastle Q.S	28   1   1 24 19   7   5	7 12 12 10 12   7   3	1897 1897 1897 1898 1898 1899 1902	Stealing Stealing Stealing Drunk Stealing Stealing Expose person	£2 or 21 days C served 6 months H.L. 3 months C (Acc) 10/- or 4 days. Served 4 months H Labor 3 months H Labor 6 months H Labor

 

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Fletcher Watson, 1902

Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, Tue 14 Oct 1902 ¹⁴

NEWCASTLE POLICE COURT.
———◦———
Monday, October 13.
————
(Before Mr GF Scott, DSM.)
————

…

IMPROPER CONDUCT.

    Fletcher Watson was charged with improper conduct. Mr HM Cohen appeared for the accused. Evidence of the alleged offence having been given, the accused was committed to the Newcastle Quarter Sessions, to be held on December 1. Bail was allowed, accused in £80, and two sureties of £40 each.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Sydney Morning Herald, Tue 14 Oct 1902 ¹⁵

NEWCASTLE.
———◦———
THE CITY COURT.
————

Newcastle, Monday

    At the Newcastle Police Court to-day, before Mr GF Scott, DSM, Fletcher Watson, aged 30, labourer, was charged with having assaulted a boy 5½ years of age, at Newcastle, on the 8th instant. The accused, who reserved his defence, was committed for trial at the next Quarter Sessions.

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Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, Tue 2 Dec 1902 ¹⁶

NEWCASTLE QUARTER SESSIONS
——–▴—•—▴——–
Monday, December 1.
———
(Before Acting-Judge Armstrong.)

    The December Court of Quarter Sessions was opened yesterday morning. Mr AF Dawson prosecuted for the Crown. Mr HH Lang occupied his seat on the bench as Deputy Sheriff. The legal profession was represented by the following barristers:– Messrs JC Gannon, RW Windeyer, and J Cowan. The solicitors present were: Messrs J Windeyer, WA Reid, TA Braye, GW Mitchell, AH James, HM Cohen, Stacey, JA Wood, and T Cronin. The police arrangements were under the direction of Sub-inspector McVane.

——————
JUSTICES SWORN IN.
———

    The following gentlemen were sworn in as justices of the peace:– AJ Shepherd, C Randle, HJ Dennett, J Edwards, P Buckley, B Bradley, AB Espley, Thos Frith, W Newton, WM Snedden, G Hunniford, Thomas Johnston, Thomas Peatey, and W Harris. His Honor offered the justices his congratulations.

——————
ABSENT JURORS.
———

    Four jurymen having reasonable grounds for being absent were excused. JA Neilson was fined £2.

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Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, Wed 3 Dec 1902 ¹⁷

NEWCASTLE QUARTER SESSIONS
——–▴—•—▴——–
Tuesday, December 2.
———
(Before Acting-Judge Armstrong.)
———
FINE REMITTED.

    Mr TD O’Sullivan mentioned the case of Mr JA Neilson, a juror, who, on the previous day, was fined £2 for being absent. He pointed out that Mr Neilson was engaged in the Arbitration Court, and could not attend. His Honor remitted the fine.
…

SERIOUS OFFENCE.
——

    Fletcher Watson was charged with having committed a serious offence. Mr R Windeyer appeared for the accused, who pleaded not guilty. After evidence had been heard the jury returned a verdict of guilty, and prisoner was remanded.

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Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, Thu 4 Dec 1902 ¹⁸

NEWCASTLE QUARTER SESSIONS
——–▴—•—▴——–
Wednesday, December 3.
———
(Before Acting Judge Armstrong, KC.)
———
SENTENCES.
———

    The following sentences were passed:–
…
    Fletcher Watson, found guilty of a grave offence, [indecently assaulting, Sydney Edward McKenzie , 5 years and 6 months old], and having five convictions for larceny, and one of indecency, was sentenced to two years and six months with hard labour.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Fletcher Watson, Gaol photo sheet ¹⁹

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Gaol Photo Sheet - Transcribed Details

No. –

Date when Portrait was taken: 25-6-1902

Name: Fletcher Watson

Native place: Ballarat Victoria Year of birth: 1872 Arrived       Ship: – in Colony }   Year: – Trade or occupation previous to conviction  } Horse Driver Religion: C of E Education, degree of: R&W Height: 5' 3¼" Weight     On committal: 136 lbs in lbs     } On discharge: Colour of hair: Brown Colour of eyes: Brown

Marks or special features: Large Brown mole on Right foot near big toe.

(No. of previous Portrait ... 1058 Maitland)  CONVICTIONS
Where and When				Offence.	Sentence
Newcastle PC ditto ditto ditto ditto ditto Newcastle Q.S ditto	28   1   1 24 19   7   5   2	7 12 12 10 12   7   3 12	1897 1897 1897 1898 1898 1899 1902 1902	Stealing Stealing Stealing Stealing Stealing Stealing Expose person Indecent assault on a male person	£2 or 21 days C. Served 6 months Hl 3 months  |  Cumulative 10/- or 4 days C. Served 4 months HL 3 months HL 6 months HL. Discharged 4-9-1902 2½ years HL

 

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¹     Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, Sat 26 Jun 1897, p. 2.

²     Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, Thu 29 Jul 1897, p. 6. Emphasis added.

³     Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, Thu 2 Dec 1897, p. 7. Emphasis added.

⁴     The Sydney Morning Herald, Thu 2 Dec 1897, p. 5.

⁵     Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, Tue 25 Oct 1898, p. 6. Emphasis added.

⁶     Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, Tue 20 Dec 1898, p. 3. Emphasis added.

⁷     SRNSW: NRS2327, [3/5987], Maitland Gaol photographic description book, 1875-1930, No. 1058, p. 115, R5130.

⁸     Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, Sat 8 Jul 1899, p. 2.

⁹     SRNSW: NRS2326, [3/14127], Maitland Gaol photographic description book, 1873-1922, No. 1058, p. 276, R5128.

¹⁰   Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, Tue 11 Feb 1902, p. 3. Emphasis added.

¹¹   The Sydney Morning Herald, Tue 11 Feb 1902, p. 5.

¹²   Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, Thu 6 Mar 1902, p. 3. Emphasis added.

¹³   SRNSW: NRS2327, [3/5988], Maitland Gaol photographic description book, 16 Mar 1900–30 May 1906, No. 1261, p. 106, R5130.

¹⁴   Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, Tue 14 Oct 1902, p. 7.

¹⁵   The Sydney Morning Herald, Tue 14 Oct 1902, p. 6.

¹⁶   Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, Tue 2 Dec 1902, p. 3.

¹⁷   Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, Wed 3 Dec 1902, p. 3.

¹⁸   Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, Thu 4 Dec 1902, p. 7.

¹⁹   SRNSW: NRS2326, [3/14127], Maitland Gaol photographic description book, 1873-1922, No. –, p. 275, R5128.

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