In another of my exciting (or something like that) posts about articles in the newspaper from 200 years ago this week, this is the court record of when John Atkins went to court.
“John Atkins, for breaking into the dwelling-house of John Seaman, of Tasburgh, and stealing a gold ring and about 40s. in cash. – This case was very similar to those already given: The prosecutor having left his house safe when he went out; on returning found it broken open, and suspecting the prisoner, caused him to be apprehended, who (when taken before a magistrate) confessed the charge. Guilty-sentence of death recorded.”
Even the article notes that this is just one in a series of judgements from the same court which routinely led to the execution of the prisoner. It’s really quite evident that these death sentences weren’t much of a deterrent and that crime was running at high levels. It seems that John Seaman likely already knew Atkins, given that he suspected him of the crime. John was though in luck, as on 31 August 1825, it was decided that he would be pardoned and his sentence commuted to transportation to what was referred to as “the new colony” of Australia. However, I can’t find any mention of his transportation record, so his ultimate fate remains a mystery to me at least.