Catalogue description Assizes: Western Circuit: Criminal Depositions and Case Papers

The items in this series relate mainly to murder and other serious offences. A high proportion of the murders are cases of infanticide. After 1949 a wider range of offences is covered. The earlier depositions are sometimes annotated with verdict and sentence. Associated documents, such as medical and welfare reports, after 1957, will be found with the depositions. Twentieth century depositions are accompanied by indictments, lists of witnesses and exhibits, formal correspondence about the conduct of the trial and/or appeal. Documentary exhibits (mainly correspondence, photographs and medical reports), are also included.

Notable cases include: the prosecution of members of the communist party for sedition in 1921 (Glanville and Winter) and in 1931 (Shepherd, Allison and Fairman); Thomas Henry Allaway (murder, 1922); and the acquittal of Sarah Ann Hearn (murder, 1930).

For information on the outcome of these cases, available in crown minute books (some closed for 75 years dates going up to 2047) and indictment files (some closed for 100 years dates going up to 2072), see respectively:

ASSI 21

ASSI 25