Wilful Clergyman

The case of the Wilful Clergyman led to the arrest of a Baptist minister on charges of indecent behaviour in August 1914.

"CLERGYMAN IN COURT. INDECENT BEHAVIOUR ALLLEGED. Melbourne, July 31. The Rev. Charles Edward Marcroft (31), pastor of the Baptist Church, Victoria street, Ballarat East, was, at the Ballarat Court, to-day, charged with indecent behaviour of a wilful character in the presence of two young girls. The alleged offence was committed at Redan on the previous night. Mr. R. J. Gribble defended the accused, who is a married man with two in family. Senior-Constable Blanchfield, officer-in charge of the Redan Police Station, gave evidence that the girls, each about 17 years of age, called at the watch-house on the previous evening, and complained of the conduct of the accused. The witness, accompanied by Constable Hooley, went in search of the accused, and found him in Skipton street. The accused was informed of the complaint made by the girls, and was subsequently taken to the Redan Police-station, where the girls identified him as the man who had committed the alleged offence. The accused was then arrested and conveyed to the Ballarat City lockup. He was admitted to bail about 4 a.m. on Friday. When taken into custody he protested his innocence. The bench remanded the accused for a week. Bail was allowed in two sureties of £50 each."