Now That's What I Call Tough Sentencing

Whilst carrying out some family history research over the Bank Holiday weekend I happened to look at the Old Bailey Online website, in particular the records of proceedings for the period 1674 to 1913.

I was searching in case one of my long dead ancestors or family members had actually featured in any cases either as defendant, witness or jury member. Like a lot of the Internet you can get drawn into the site and spend hours reading page after page of legal and family history.

Anyway having put in the name of my 4 and 5 x Great Grandfather through my paternal line I uncovered the following two cases. The subject of the court cases shares a family name but as far as I am aware isn't related to me. The first case came to court in October 1843.

John Guyatt was indicted for feloniously uttering, on the 21st Sept., a forged request for the delivery of 6 stock brushes, and 1 dusting-brush, with intent to defraud Robert Allen.


Robert Allen . I am an oil and colour-man, and live in Upper Dorset-street, Marylebone; Mr. Skeet, of Dorset-street, is a customer of mine. On the 11th of Sept. the prisoner brought me a written order for a stock-brush and a dusting-brush—I said, "This is not from Mr. Skeet"—he said he came from Mr. Skeet—I said, "It is not his writing"—he said, "No; it is from Mrs. Skeet; Mr. Skeet is not in town"—I served him with the two brushes—I have lost that order—he came again on the 16th, without any order at all, said he came from Mrs. Skeet, as usual, for three stock brushes—he said Mr. Skeet was at Tonbridge, he had got a large job there—on the 21st he brought this paper, in consequence of which I served him with the brushes—(read)—"Sept. 21, 1843, 6 wash and 1 dusting-brush. J. SKEET."—he said he came from Mrs. Skeet—I believed it to be her writing, or I should not have given them to him.


ROBERT SKEET . I deal with Mr. Allen. I never sent the prisoner with this order—he has never been in our service—I never authorized him to get any brushes—this is not my wife's handwriting, nor mine.


Prisoner. Mr. Allen promised, if I would give him the duplicates and tell him what I had done with the property, he would not hurt a hair of my


See original head; I gave him the duplicates fourteen days before I was in custody; Mr. Skeet heard him.


MR. ALLEN re-examined. I never said so—he did give me up the tickets—I swear he brought the order.


MR. SKEET re-examined. I believe something of the sort was said to him, but cannot say distinctly one way or other.


GUILTY. Aged 17.—Strongly recommended to mercy, on account of his youth, and the property being of small value. — Confined Two Years.

Now 19 year old John (as he is when released from Middlesex Jail) obviously hasn't learned his lesson because in March 1846, two years and five months after his original appearance at the Old Bailey he's back again, and this time it appears that it is his widowed Mum who turned him in!

JOHN GUYATT was indicted for stealing 1 gown, value 2s. 6d.; 3 yards of sheeting, 1s.; 6 yards of calico, 12s. 6d.; 2 yards of flannel, 1s.; the goods of Frances Guyatt: and 1 coat, value 4s.; 1 other coat, 2s. 6d.; 2 pairs of trowsers, 6s.; 3 waistcoats, 4s. 6d.; the goods of Charles Guyatt, and that he had been before convicted of felony.


FRANCES GUYATT . I am a widow, and live at No. 6, Paul-street, Portman-market—the prisoner is my son—I placed my wearing apparel and other things in a neighbour's room for security, in consequence of so frequently losing it—on the 9th of March I went out to work at six o'clock in the morning—I returned at eight in the evening—I went to my box, and missed this calico, sheeting, flannel, coats, and other things—the coats and other clothes were my younger son's, Charles Guyatt—they were in my care—the things are all here, except two yards of flannel—when the prisoner came home, his brother said to him, "Now you shall go for this"—he said he did not care, the sooner the better.


FREDERICK HEADWORTH . I live with Mr. Trail, a pawnbroker—I produce a gown, some flannel, and other things—they were pawned by the prisoner for 6s.—Mrs. Guyatt has identified them all.


JOSEPH GUENIE (police-constable S 340.) I took the prisoner—I asked him if it was he that took the things—he said he did not care, and he would be b----if I should not have some trouble with him before I got him to the station.


JOHN PHILLIPS . I produce a certificate of the prisoner's former conviction at this Court—(read—Convicted 23rd of Oct., 1843, and confined two years)—the prisoner is the person.


GUILTY .— Transported for Ten Years.


I reckon the value of good stolen was around 33 shillings which using the RPI is the equivalent of £124 in todays money, blimey those Victorians were a hard bunch, sent to Australia for ten years for £124!