Captured: Portraits of Crime 1870-1930 - Flipbook - Page 85
19 07
BROKEN HILL
GAO L
GL AD TO DIE
Pe t er Sadeek
MURDER
Peter Sadeek, a 63 year old man originally from the Punjab
in India, was photographed on 3 June 1907 in Broken Hill Gaol
after he had been found guilty of murder and sentenced to death.
Sadeek was tried at Broken Hill Circuit Court on
22 April 1907 accused of having murdered local woman,
May Jewson, on 31 January at White Cliffs. The Court heard
that Jewson, aged 39, had been married for a short time in 1902.
Following the breakup of her marriage, she had started
associating with different men. Jewson was known to be often
intoxicated and, police noted, very quarrelsome when drunk.
However, people who knew her well reported that she was a
generous and kind woman.
Sadeek worked as a cook on a sheep station near Broken
Hill. He was described as a quiet and reserved man who was
active in the local expat Indian community. He was well regarded
by those who knew him but was known to become angry and difficult
when drinking liquor.
On the day in question, Sadeek had ridden into town on a
racehorse. He sold the animal and spent the money on alcohol.
Witnesses described how at 5pm that afternoon a drunken Sadeek
argued ferociously with Jewson. During the fight, she fell to
the ground and Sadeek kicked her violently and repeatedly.
He dragged the woman inside the house — falling over three
times — and slashed her twenty-six times all over her body with
a pocket knife. Blood soaked clothing and the knife were
produced as evidence at the trial.
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