[ criminal law – forgery – promissory note - Commercial Bank ]

R. v. Crow

R. v. Finningham

R. v. Obie

R. v. Taylor

Supreme Court of New South Wales

Stephen J, 12 April 1842

Source: Sydney Gazette, 14 April 1842

            John Crow, a freed man, was indicted for forging the name of Mr. Lithgow, the Auditor General, to a promissory note. It was given by the prisoner to Messrs. A. and S. Lyons, Pitt-street, in payment of goods he bought from them.

            The Jury found him guilty, and he was sentenced for three years in an iron gang.

            John Finningham was indicted for stealing a horse at Patrick's Plains, on the 5th of January last, from Mr. George Shirly . He was found guilty, and sentenced to fourteen years transportation to Van Diemen's Land .

            Charles Obie, of Parramatta, was indicted for stealing, on the 31 st October last, two cows, from Mr. William Lawson, of Prospect, but the evidence did not substantiate the charge, and the jury returned a verdict of not guilty.

            Thomas Joseph Taylor was then indicted, charged with having, on the 24 th of December last, forged the name of William Patten to an order on the Commercial Bank. The prisoner had been in the employ of Mr. Patten for some time, and had been in the habit of filling up similar cheques under Mr. Patten's directions. The jury found the prisoner guilty of uttering with intent to defraud. His Honor then sentenced him to be transported beyond the seas for the term of his natural life , but stated that he would get his sentence mitigated, provided the prisoner would get certificates of his having previously maintained good character.