Court of Quarter Sessions
This 1853 article explains that a Mr Doucett interpreted when a deaf person, John Riley, was accused of theft. Riley was found not guilty. We haven’t yet found out more about Mr Doucett – he might be an interesting person to research.
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TRANSCRIPT
Before the Chairman
The Crown Prosecutor conducted the following cases for the Crown.
William Nugent was indicted for stealing twenty dishes, the property of John [unclear]. The Jury found the prisoner guilty, and he was sentenced to five years’ hard labour on the roads.
John Young and Elizabeth Young were indicted for neglecting to provide for their four infant children sufficient meat, drink, and clothing, necessary for their maintenance and support, the defendants being able and their children unable to make such provision. The Jury found the defendants guilty, and they were sentenced to six months imprisonment – the one in Sydney Gaol, and the other in Parramatta Gaol.
John Horner and William Grant were indicted for stealing leather, the property of Samuel Alexander. The Jury found Grant guilty as the thief, and Horner as the receiver, and they were each sentenced to three years’ hard labour on the roads.
Ellen Thomas was indicted for stealing a blanket, the property of one William Blue. They Jury found the prisoner not guilty, and she was discharged.
Michael Healy was indicted for [unclear] wounding one John Jenkinson. The jury, after some consideration, found the prisoner guilty, with a recommendation to mercy on account of his previous character, and he was remanded for sentence. The prisoner was defended by Mr. Brenan.
John Riley was indicted for stealing four blankets, the property of James Hamilton[unclear]. The prisoner was deaf and dumb, and the proceedings were interpreted to him through Mr. Doucett by signs. The found the prisoner not guilty, and he was discharged.
John Carroll was indicted for stealing money to the amount of £31, the property of his father, John Carroll. The prisoner was defended by Mr. Brenan. The jury, after some consideration, found the prisoner guilty, with a recommendation to mercy, and he was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment at Parramatta Gaol.
George Melville Munroe was indicted for stealing a watch and a chain, the property of Benjamin Long, of the value of £5. The prisoner was defended by Mr. Brenan. The jury found the prisoner guilty, and he was sentenced to three months’ hard labour on the roads.
The Court adjourned till to-day (Friday).
