The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers’ Advocate, Thu 23 May 1929 ¹

“SEXUAL PERVERT”
———◦———
MAN OF LOW MENTALITY
——▴——
JUDGE’S DIFFICULTY
———

    When Ernest Alexander Adolphus Hey  was called at the Parramatta Quarter Sessions on Monday, Mr HCG Moss raised the question of whether the accused was mentally competent to plead.

    Dr EC Hall, Government Medical Officer at Parramatta, gave evidence of having examined Hey at the Parramatta Gaol.

    “His mentality,” the doctor said, “is considerably below par. Whether he could plead intelligently would depend on his state of health at the time. I think he would understand what he was charged with.”

    The doctor added that the accused was subject to epileptic fits.

    “I understand,” the doctor said, “that he has been struck by lightning, and that he has only been able to work casually for the last ten years.

    Hey was then arraigned on two charges involving indecent conduct, [lewdness on Wilfred Raymond Smith, and Lawrence Roberts and indecent assault on Michael Beck, 12 years]. He pleaded guilty to one, and not guilty to the other.

    He was brought up for sentence on Tuesday morning.

    Mr Moss said that Hey’s father, a Government servant, was away from home all day, and that the mother, over sixty years of age, was suffering from neuritis. Consequently, the parents could not take the responsibility of properly looking after Hey, who was in a measure irresponsible.

    “For that reason,” said Mr Moss, “I am making no application for the extension of the provisions relating to first offenders.”

    His Honor: It is very difficult for any judge to determine what to do in a case of this sort. There is no doubt that he is, in a sense, a sexual pervert, and that is probably due to his low mental condition. It is necessary that he should, at any rate, be kept away from the association he has been having with young boys.

    Imposing a sentence of twelve months’ imprisonment, his Honor recommended that Hey be kept under strict medical observation for the first six months.

    “If at the end of that period,” his Honor said, “the medical report indicates that he has improved sufficiently to be allowed his liberty, I will recommend his release.”

    On the charge to which he pleaded not guilty, Hey was remanded to appear at the next Sessions.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Ernest Alexander Adolphus Hey, Gaol photo sheet 2

---

Gaol Photo Sheet - Transcribed Details

No. 23843                                                                                

Date when Portrait was taken: 28-5-1929

Name: Ernest Alexander Adolphus Hey

Native place: Alexandria NSW Year of birth: 29-8-1894 Arrived       Ship: in Colony }   Year: BS Trade or occupation previous to conviction  } Laborer Religion: C of E Education, degree of: R & W Height: 5' 7⅛" Weight     On committal: 128 in lbs     } On discharge: Colour of hair: Brown Colour of eyes: Brown

Marks or special features: Surgical scar right side abdomen

(No. of previous Portrait ... )  CONVICTIONS
Where and When				Offence.	Sentence
Parramatta Q.S	20	5	1929	Indecent exposure	12 months HL. His Honor said “I recommend that he be kept under strict medical observation for 6 months, and if at the end of that time he is so improved as to allow of his release, I will recommend that he be so released.” 21-5-1929

 

---

¹     The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers’ Advocate (Parramatta), Thu 23 May 1929, p. 3. Emphasis added.

²     SRNSW: NRS2467, [3/6124], State Penitentiary photographic description book, 21 Mar 1929-8 Aug 1929, No. 23843, p. 185.

---