On 18 November 1878, John Burke stood trial at the Old Bailey for breaking and entering the home of Frances Marshall. Caught fleeing with burglary tools, he was convicted and sentenced to twelve months’ hard labour. This retelling reveals the harsh realities of Victorian crime and punishment.
Tag Archives: Burglary
This Day in History: 13 November 1784 — The Copper Heist in the Night
On the night of 13 November 1784, James Thomas broke into John Parleyman’s London home and stole eighty pounds of copper in a hempen sack. Tried at the Old Bailey in December, he was convicted and transported for seven years. This retelling shows how one night’s burglary became a journey to Australia.
This Day in History: 28 October 1789 — The Burglar in the Cellar
On 28 October 1789, David Braithwaite was caught halfway through a cellar window after breaking into William Webb’s London home. Tried that same day at the Old Bailey, he was found guilty of burglary and sentenced to seven years’ transportation. This vivid tale captures Georgian justice — clumsy, comic, and cruel.
The Sage Page 