Prisoner name(s): John Roberts. Prisoner age: 22. Prisoner occupation: Footman....

Prisoner name(s): John Roberts.

Prisoner age: 22.

Prisoner occupation: Footman.

Court and date of trial: Old Bailey April Sessions 1828.

Crime: Stealing a quantity of plate under his charge from the dwelling house of his master, William Perry (prosecutor) of 34 Woburn Place, Russell Square, [London] and glass manufacturer of New Bond Street, [London].

Initial sentence: Death sentence.

Annotated (Outcome): Considered at Report in Council 7 May 1828.

Petitioner(s): John Roberts (prisoner) undersigned by 13 inhabitants of London.

Four petitions from William Perry (prosecutor) of 34 Woburn Place, Russell Square, [London] and New Bond Street, [London]. One petition is a copy and includes the same three signatures.

Grounds for clemency (Petition Details): The prisoner's conviction was based on circumstantial evidence; the prisoner has never before broken the law; the prisoner is only 23 years of age; the prisoner's widowed and afflicted mother raised the prisoner through hard work and industry; the prisoner's mother provided the prisoner with a good plain education and support for 13 years until he could provide for himself; the prisoner has been in service for the last nine years and acquitted himself to the entire satisfaction of his employers; the prisoner has never before been accused of dishonesty; the prisoner has borne the most unimpeachable character for sobriety, industry, honesty and general good conduct; William Perry (prosecutor) requests a commutation of the death sentence to transportation for life.