Prisoner name(s): Thomas Tunstall ( or Thomas Tunstal). Prisoner age: 17. Court and...

Prisoner name(s): Thomas Tunstall ( or Thomas Tunstal).

Prisoner age: 17.

Court and date of trial: Stafford Lent Assizes March 1828.

Crime: Highway Robbery; the prisoner violently assaulted Edward Warren (prosecutor) a crate maker of Lower Lane, [Stafford, Staffordshire] and stole £1 9s at Lane End near the Post Office, [Stafford, Staffordshire] on the night of the 8 March 1828.

Initial sentence: [Death] commuted to transportation for life.

Gaoler's report: 'Bad character, in prison before for uttering base coin - connected with Pottery Gang of Thieves.'

Annotated (Outcome): Nil.

Petitioner(s): 3 petitions from William Tunstall(prisoner's father) a blacksmith of Lane Delph, Stoke upon Trent Parish, Staffordshire, one undersigned by 35 people.

Two petitions from the inhabitants of Lane End, Staffordshire. One petition is undersigned by 88 people and the other 57 people.

Grounds for clemency (Petition Details): The prisoner has an irreproachable character for honesty and good conduct; prisoner's father and brother served in army; the prisoner's father is 60 years old and has a family of five people to support; the prisoner's father has been unable to continue his business as a blacksmith without the prisoner's assistance; the prosecutor claimed that the prisoner had robbed him in order to prevent an arrest for assault; the prosecutor made a false accusation against the prisoner who was unable to defend himself as he did not have time to gather character witnesses; the prisoner has behaved well in prison and will become a useful member of society.

Other papers: Judge's report taken by Baron Vaughan March 1828;

2 letters from Joseph Palethorpe enclosing depositions (July 1828); a letter from Joseph Palethorpe thanking Mr Peel; a letter from Joseph Palethorpe to Mr J E Lyttleton MP protesting Tunstall's innocence; 4 letters to Mr Peel from E J Littleton of Teddesley; letter from Judge Vaughan; a letter from Robert Peel to Mr Littleton confirming the sentence of transportation; a letter from Oswald Mosley (Chairman of the Quarter Sessions) stating that Tunstall was acquitted of uttering at the last Epiphany Sessions (1828). Letter from John Smith with comments by Mr Peel; depositions 1828 - 1831 by John Bryan (4), George Lockett, William Annison, Mary Clemson, Elizabeth Cook (2), Ann Wyatt (3), Joseph Wright (2) taken before John Smith and Ralph Adderley; document with 5 depositions; Mr R Heathcote enclosing affidavits (December 1828); Thomas Goddard to the Home Secretary enquiring about the petition (1830); letter from Henry Tomlinson to Lord Melbourne (1831).