Joseph Pocock

Level 347

Maureen Withey on 23rd March 2026

LENT ASSIZES.—KINGSTON. Yesterday William Toms, alias Taylor, and Joseph Pocock, were indicted for charging Alfred Gardner with infamous crime; with intent to extort money from him, on the 19th of March last. The Jury returned a verdict of “Guilty” against  both prisoners, who were immediately sentenced to transportation for life. Morning Advertiser, 4 April 1828.

Level 347

Maureen Withey on 23rd March 2026

Infamous attempt at Extortion  At Union-hall, on Thursday, two men, named Toms and Pocock, were charged with attempted to extort money from respectable young man named Gardner, accusing of an attempt to commit unnatural crime. The complainant stated, that on Tuesday last, on his way to Kensington through Hyde-park, having hour or two to spare, sat down on one the benches opposite the Serpentine River, where had not been long when Toms took a seat beside him. After some little time had elapsed, they entered into conversation on the subject of the surrounding scenery, and the expiration of about three quarters of an hour the complainant rose from his seat for |be purpose of pursuing his way to Kensington, when his new acquaintance  expressed a desire to accompany him part of the way, saying be was also going in that direction. When  they had proceeded short distance, Toms, before separating, said he should be glad to meet the complainant on the following evening in Lincoln’s lnn-fields, for the purpose of taking a walk together to which the latter agreed, conceiving, from his address and appearance, that be was respectable. At seven o'clock, the appointed hour, the parties met,  when Toms proposed walk over Waterloo-bridge, over which they proceeded, until they came to rather lonely thoroughfare leading out of the Waterloo-road. Upon their arrival this place, down which Toms proposed they should walk, the complainant hesitated, but his companion assured him there was no danger,  adding that led into a street which would take them out opposite the Coburg Theatre. They then proceeded forward, and there being no lamps, the complainant became rather alarmed, and tucked in the chain and seals of his watch. While was the act of doing so, Toms seized the flap of his trowsers, and tearing them down with great force, the same moment called out, Help, help!” Upon which Pocock immediately made his appearance, to whom Toms gave the complainant into custody on a charge of attempting to commit an unnatural crime, Pocock representing himself a constable. The terror with  with which the complainant described he was seized, after such accusation had been made against  him, rendered him almost incapable of saying a word. On their way back into the Waterloo-road, Pocock addressing the complainant, said, This an unpleasant  business. Sir ; you had better settle with the person who gave you into my custody ; will prevent your name from going Into the newspapers, and also from being severely punished.” To which complainant replied, The atrocious charge is without the slightest foundation, and I insist now upon going to the watch-house.” A little time afterwards, Pocock having a little in advance, Toms spoke to the complainant, pointing out the punishment that awaited a person who was convicted of such offence as that for which he had given him into custody, and advising him strongly make up the matter paying some money, without going the watch-house, adding, that he was convinced complainant was respectable  man, would arrange the bonnets ia that way rather than have his character ruined for ever. The complainant, however, refused also to listen to this proposition, and he was ultimately taken off to the Surrey watchhouse, where the above disgusting charge was made against him by the prisoners. Keyse, the superintendent of the Surrey watch-house, who took the charge, brought the accused (Mr. Gardner) before the Magistrates on the following day, but the case was not gone into,  on account the absence of Toms, who, appeared, had given a fictitious address. This latter circumstance excited some  suspicion his character. Mr. Gardner was remanded, and in the interim Keyse, who used every exertion in ascertaining the former characters of the men who had made accusation, discovered that had been previously tried and convicted the Old Bailey, for an attempt to extort money from a gentleman by accusing him a similar offence ; and of the other prisoner he also had very bad character. Keyse subsequently discovered where Toms resided and on proceeding there, found a letter in his box addressed to the gentleman whom he had previously  charmed, dated from Newgate, imploring forgiveness, and attributing his having made the charge to poverty. The letter had his signature to it. . , The prisoners were fully committed for trial. Bell’s Life in London, 30 March 1828. ------------------------------------------------------------- Hulk Records Chatham Hulks, Dolphin HO-9-1_3 page 29 Received from Horsemongers Lane, 14 April 1828. Wm Toms, age 23, ???, Tried Kingston upon Thames, 31 Mar 1828, Life, To NSW 24 May 1828. Josh. Pocock, age 23, as above, Tried Kingston upon Thames, 31 Mar 1828, Life, To NSW 24 May 1828.