TROVE
The
Mercury (Hobart) – Thursday 11 August 1898
Monday 8th August 1898
With regard to the doings of James Slattery, arrested for robbery at the
Penshurst branch of the Bank of Victoria, and who formerly served a sentence at
the Yatala Stockade, some astonishment is expressed at the release of the
prisoner from Yatala, considering that he was sentenced to 3½ years' hard labour in August, 1896, and that that term, in the
ordinary course of events, would not expire until February, 1900.
It has transpired that Slattery received the benefit of a considerable
remission of his sentence in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. He had
behaved remarkably well during his incarceration, and it is possible for a
prisoner to obtain a remission equivalent to about a third of his sentence on
account of good conduct. Slattery secured credit marks equal to more than a
fourth of the term. He was sentenced at the Adelaide Criminal Sessions on
August 3, 1895, for forgery, to a term equal to 1,278 days. Being a first offender
he received the Jubilee remission of one sixth of his sentence, equal to 213
days, and earned credit marks entitling him to 347 days off. Altogether he
served 718 days, being released on July 22, so that he must have been soon over
the Victorian border after leaving Yatala.
TROVE
Goulburn
Evening Penny Post – Sat 13 August 1898
Thursday 11th August
1898
The Penshurst Bank Robbery.
MELBOURNE,
Thursday.-James Ryan, alias James Slattery, was presented at the Penshurst
Police Court today on a charge of robbery under arms at the local branch of the
Bank of Victoria on the 4th instant. The facts, as already known, were set
forth in detail, and the accused, who reserved his defense, was committed for
trial.
TROVE
The
Horsham Times – Thursday 18th August 1898
Mr. Louis Howitz, of Hamilton, will defend James Slattery, the alleged
Penshurst bank robber, at the Ararat Assizes. Slattery is awaiting trial in the
Ballarat Gaol.
