Captured: Portraits of Crime 1870-1930 - Flipbook - Page 76
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PA R R A M AT TA
GAO L
MINUS ONE EYE
Mitc hell Ryan
FA L S E P R E T E N C E S
Mitchell Ryan, a 30 year old labourer originally from Ireland,
was photographed at Parramatta Gaol on 21 April 1904 while
serving a sentence of five years hard labour for false pretences.
Ryan had previous convictions for false pretences, stealing and
assault and had served stints in Broken Hill, Bathurst and
Young gaols.
On 15 April 1904, Ryan appeared before Judge Cohen at
Young Quarter Sessions and was found guilty of ‘obtaining goods
to wit, drinks, by means of a valueless cheque’. He was sent
Parramatta Gaol to serve out a five year sentence and was
released on 30 September 1908. Prior to this, Ryan had served a
four year sentence first at Young, then Parramatta Gaol, for
presenting a valueless cheque with intent to defraud. An
earlier stint in Bathurst Gaol was in relation to crimes
committed at Broken Hill in 1898.
In October 1898, ‘Myles’ Ryan appeared at Broken Hill
Circuit Court on four charges of false pretences. The Court
heard that he had presented cheques from the Bank of Australasia
to purchase a coat and breeches from a Broken Hill tailor, and
to buy drinks at local hotels. He had also cashed out cheques to
the value of over £35. Ryan pleaded guilty to all charges and
was sentenced to two years on each charge to be served
concurrently. While in Broken Hill Gaol, Ryan accumulated nine
entries in the misconduct book. The offences started with minor
transgressions such as using insulting language and making
frivolous complaints. They then escalated to defiance of
discipline and good order, the latter for which he was punished
by solitary confinement. On 23 March 1899 Ryan assaulted a senior
warden and was ordered to receive twenty-five lashes with the
cat o’ nine tails. On 18 April 1899 he was transferred to
Bathurst Gaol to serve out the remainder of his sentence.
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