Prisoner name(s): John Smale. Prisoner age: 27. Prisoner occupation: Wheelwright....

Prisoner name(s): John Smale.

Prisoner age: 27.

Prisoner occupation: Wheelwright.

Court and date of trial: Old Bailey June Sessions 1829.

Crime: Stealing 784lbs of iron from his employers with fellow workmen, Richard Knight and John Smith, from W Wiggins (prisoner's employer for two years). The iron was stolen from W Wiggins's wharf at Wapping, [London].

Initial sentence: Seven years transportation.

Gaoler's report: 'Previous character good. Married three children.'

Annotated (Outcome): Mr Sergeant Arabin recommends being sent abroad. Nil.

Petitioner(s): Two petitions from John Smale (prisoner). One petition is undersigned by W Wiggins (prosecutor).

2 petitions from W Wiggins & Son (prosecutor) of Long Lane, West Smithfield, [London].

Grounds for clemency (Petition Details): The prisoner was duped by Richard Knight and John Smith who persuaded him the iron was a workman's perquisite; the prosecutor was reluctant to make an example of his honest and industrious mechanic; the prisoner would be employed in order to support his family; has a wife and 3 small children who will be dependent on the parish and become social outcasts; the prosecutor would reemploy him.

Other papers: A letter dated from W Wiggins seeking to employ Smale (1832).

Additional Information: Indicted with Richard Knight and John Smith, by W Wiggins, prosecutor, (prisoner's employer for two years). The prisoner is awaiting transportation on board the Leviathan Hulk at Portsmouth.