The Daily Telegraph, Wed 11 Nov 1896 ¹

POLICE COURTS.
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ROBBERY IN A COFFEE PALACE.

    Two laborers, named John Dwyer and William Holmes, were charged at the Central Court yesterday with stealing, in company, a vest containing a watch and chain and a number of tram tickets, value in all about £1 18s, the property of Arthur Ernest Blyth, a coach-painter. Prosecutor stated that on Monday night he slept at the City Coffee Palace, ² and shortly after midnight he heard a slight disturbance in the passage. His suspicions being aroused, he made a hasty examination of the room, with the result that he found that his vest, which he had hung on the back of the door, had disappeared. He at once gave the alarm, and the upshot was that the vest was found in the passage, minus the watch and chain, which latter were subsequently found in the possession of the accused, who were identified as two men who had occupied a room on Monday night opposite that in which prosecutor slept. Further evidence was given to the effect that immediately upon the alarm being given the front door of the Coffee Palace was shut in order to prevent any egress in that direction, and shortly afterwards the accused were seen to escape through the fanlight. They were, however, apprehended near the Belmore Markets by Constable Harper. A plea of guilty was entered, and a sentence of six months’ imprisonment, with hard labor, was inflicted in each case.
…

POCKET PICKING AT MANLY.

    At the Water Police Court yesterday William Montgomery was charged with stealing from a person unknown. The accused was seen by Constable Manion, of the Water Police, prospecting women’s pockets at Manly. Owing to the crush, the constable was unable to get anyone to prosecute, but the fact that the attempts had been made was proved, and the accused sentenced to six months’ imprisonment.
…
    At the Paddington Court yesterday, before Mr Edwards, SM, Joseph Doyle (30), laborer, was sentenced to six months’ gaol, with hard labor, for indecency in the Centennial Park.

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The Sydney Morning Herald, Wed 11 Nov 1896 ³

POLICE COURTS.
———◦———

…

CHARGES OF STEALING.

    Charged before Mr WM Macfarlane at the Central Police Court yesterday with stealing
…
    John Dwyer and William Holmes pleaded guilty at the Central Police Court yesterday to a charge of stealing in company a vest,, a watch and chain, and some tram tickets, the property of Arthur Ernest Blight. It was stated in evidence that Blight, who is a painter, residing in Bourke, arrived in Sydney on Friday night, and was staying at the City Coffee Palace, George-street. On Monday night Dwyer and Holmes went to the same establishment and engaged a room. At 1 o’clock the following morning the prosecutor discovered that his vest, containing the watch and other articles, had been taken from his room. The two accused were found to be in the adjoining room, and the property was recovered. When it was evident that they would be arrested, and that a request which they made to be “let off” would not be granted, the accused escaped through a skylight in the building; but they were captured shortly afterwards near the markets by Constable Harper. Each was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment.

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The Sydney Morning Herald, Sat 14 Nov 1896 ⁴

POLICE COURTS.
———◦———

…

LAYING DOUBLES.

    Before Mr Isaacs, SM, in the Central Police Court yesterday, Richard Moss was charged with a breach of the Betting House Suppression Act by laying double in a lane off Market-street. Mr Wilshire appeared for the Crown, and Mr Levy for accused, who was fined £10, with the option of two months’ imprisonment. Notice of appeal was given.

    Henry Chapman, for a similar offence, in the same place, was fined in the same amount.
…

PERMITTING A HORSE TO BE ILL-TREATED.

    At the Newtown Police Court yesterday, before Mr Addison, SM, J Scott was charged with having permitted a horse to be worked while suffering from sore shoulders. Scott was ordered to pay fine of 10s, without costs, in default three days’ gaol.

INSULTING PUBLIC SCHOOL CHILDREN.

    At the Newtown Police Court yesterday, before Mr Addison, SM, Joseph Doyle, aged 28, was charged with having insulted two little girls named Lillie Lawrence and Ethel Martin, pupils of the Stanmore Public School, while on their way home from school. He was sentenced to be imprisonment with hard labour for six months.

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Joseph Doyle, Gaol photo sheet ⁵

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Gaol Photo Sheet - Transcribed Details

No. 6837

Date when Portrait was taken: 14-11-1896

Name: Joseph Doyle
(aka John Doyle)

Native place: Ireland Year of birth: 1866 Arrived       Ship: Orontes in Colony }   Year: 1882 Trade or occupation previous to conviction  } Barman Religion: R. Cath Education, degree of: Read & Write Height: 5' 6⅝" Weight     On committal: 139 in lbs     } On discharge: Colour of hair: Black Colour of eyes: Brown

Marks or special features: Scar on heel of left thumb & outside edge of wrist

(No. of Previous Portrait ... )  PREVIOUS CONVICTIONS
Where and When				Offence.	Sentence
Paddington PC Newtown PC	10 13	11 11	1896 1896	Expose his person Expose his person	6 months HL  | 6 months HL  | Cumulative

 

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¹  The Daily Telegraph, Wed 11 Nov 1896, p. 3. Emphasis added.

²  The Australian Town and Country Journal, Sat 17 Jul 1880, pp. 120-1. Has an interesting and informative article about ‘Coffee Palace, No. 2,’ and further illustrations.

³  The Sydney Morning Herald, Wed 11 Nov 1896, p. 4. Emphasis added.

⁴  The Sydney Morning Herald, Sat 14 Nov 1896, p. 7. Emphasis added.

⁵  SRNSW: NRS2138, [3/6060], Darlinghurst Gaol photographic description book, 1896-1897, No. 6837, p. 150, R5106.

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