Phew! they were pretty harsh in those days!

[Diane]

Been doing some family tree research and came across this in an old newpaper from 1827 - they were pretty unforgiving in those days!

 

The following is an account of the sentences, &c., of the prisoners who were for trial at the Reading Assizes:-

 

William Baker, 14, Thomas Dickenson, 14, and William Overy, alias Gower, charged with having broken open and entered the dwelling house of Ann Tile, at White Waltham, and stolen three gowns and other articles of wearing apparel. - Death.

 

William Allen, aged 18, was charged with entering the dwelling house of William Elstone, of Cookham, and stealing a velveteen jacket, a waistcoat, and a pair of corded breeches - Death.

 

Richard John Beckingham, 40, and Thomas Moss, 13, charged with having broken open the dwelling house of Joseph Humphrey, of Blewbury, and stealing wine, a £1 note, and some silver - Moss, admitted Evidence, Beckingham, Death.

 

Benson Bowler, 19, charged with stealing a quantity of bread, bacon, butter, and sugar, the property of Israel Banbury, of Yattendon - Three months imprisonment.

 

William Clarke, 24, and Thomas East, 25, charged with stealing from the house of Sarah Pizzey, at Lawrence Waltham, various articles of clothes, a sovereign, &c. - Death.

 

James Frith, 10, Robert Frith, 18, George Lane 19, and Samuel Todd, 23, charged with breaking open the house of Wm.Coventry, and stealing a quantity of apples. - Richard Frith, admitted Evidence; James Frith, Lane, and Todd, to be imprisoned six months.

 

Thomas Herbert, 18, charged with breaking open the house of John Day, at East Garston, and stealing a number of waistcoats and other articles. - Death.

 

John Chapman, alias Dibley, alias Cudd, 22, charged with robbing the house of John Day, in company with Herbert. - Death.

 

Thomas Marritt, 21, and Thomas Stroud, 24, charged with attacking and beating James Tizzard, and others, gamekeepers to Mortimer Thoyts, Esq. - Transported for seven years.

 

Benjamin Moss, 26, and Wm.Phillips, 39, charged with stealing a wether sheep, at the parish of Wantage, the property of John Caldwell - Death.

 

William Oadham, 17, charged with stealing sixty pieces of copper money, the property of Robert Sainsbury, of Newbury, - Six months imprisonment.

 

John Reed, 25, charged with stealing a quantity of coals, the property of Mrs.Williams, of Sonning., - Transported seven years.

 

Francis Underhill, 14, and James Roberts, 18, charged with stealing several horn and ivory combs, tooth brushes, and other articles, the property of Thomas Edwards, of Wokingham - To be imprisoned Six months.

 

Joseph Kale, 46, and Robert Boseley, 34, for being found in the night time, armed with guns, in a certain inclosed ground, at Wytham, with intent to kill game. - Imprisoned twelve months.

 

John Rowe, 31, charged with assaulting Maria Cooper, at Crookham, and stealing half a sovereign. - Death.

 

William Slaughter, 19, and Abraham Spratley, 20, charged with killing and stealing two sheep, the property of Henry Cave, of Sandhurst. - Death.

 

James Sutton, 15, charged with stealing a silver watch, the property of Charles Jackman, of Winkfield, - Death.

 

John Taylor, 31, charged with stealing three black and white spotted pigs, at Binfield - To be imprisoned six months.

 

Thomas Webb, charged with breaking open the shop of Rachael Wise, at Wargrave, and stealing four sides of bacon, and other articles - Death.

 

Henry Wylde, 27, charged with stealing a mare, the property of Wm.Attee, at Sonning. - Death.

[scooterdan]

If only laws were that tough these days the world wouldn't be such a mess!!

[Blossom]

They could transport people to the uk lol.

[Lily Rainbow]

Wow!Interesting though Scooterdan,considering most of those people were sentenced to death,it did'nt act as a very good deterrant!lol

[Lazy Cow]

Wow!Interesting though Scooterdan,considering most of those people were sentenced to death,it did'nt act as a very good deterrant!lol

 

Did any of those sentenced to death reoffend??

 

No! So it obviously taught them a lesson!

 

Hahahaha! LC

[Blossom]

Wow!Interesting though Scooterdan,considering most of those people were sentenced to death,it did'nt act as a very good deterrant!lol

Back then they didn't have welfare. These people would have been desperate. Of course, if someone is a drug addict they could be just as desperate, but it might make others think twice.

[Guest shella_n]

Interesting read - especially as I come from Berkshire where all these crimes occurred - thanks For posting