Catalogue description Prisoner name: Thomas Helmes or Thomas Helms. Prisoner age: 18. Court and date of trial:...

Prisoner name: Thomas Helmes or Thomas Helms.

Prisoner age: 18.

Court and date of trial: Old Bailey September Sessions 1831.

Crime: Housebreaking; stealing saddle, bridle and servants' bedding from stables of William Goodenough Hayter in Jockey Fields, Bedford Row.

Initial sentence: Death commuted to transportation for life.

Annotated: Nil.

Petitioner(s): Bryant Helms of 5 Fullwoods Rents, Holborn, Middlesex, bricklayer, the prisoner's father, and William Goodenough Hayter, esquire, of 9 Old Square, Lincoln's Inn, barrister at law, the prosecutor. W G Hayter, 9 Old Square, Lincoln's Inn, the prosecutor.

Grounds for clemency: Jury recommended prisoner to mercy in view of his previous good conduct; led to commit robbery through associating with bad company; youth of prisoner; first offence; no violence committed during robbery; distress of prisoner's parents and large family.

Additional Information: Prisoner held in Newgate gaol. Prisoner convicted with young man named Simpson.