William Twiddy

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Maureen Withey on 18th October 2023

William Twiddy, aged 23, James Walker, aged 22, and Samuel Soames alias King, aged 20, stood charged with breaking into the dwelling-house of Robert Harbord, Walnut, blacksmith, and stealing thereout  nine sovereigns, two half sovereigns, twenty shillings, and some silver spoons; they also stood stood farther charged with having broken into the dwelling-house of Charles Oix, of Happisburgh, the same day, and stealing three silver tea spoons; they also stood farther charged with having broken into the dwelling house of Jonathan Balls, of the same place and on the same day, and stealing thereout two sovereigns, eight shillings and sixpence, twenty-four penny pieces, some silver spoons, and other articles. Soames pleaded guilty to each indictment; Twiddy and Walker pleaded not guilty, and were tried the first indictment, but acquitted.— the second indictment the Jury found them both guilty, and his Lordship,  in passing sentence upon all three, said be did not entertain any doubt of the propriety of the verdict of the Jury. Of the former charge they had taken merciful view, and on that he said nothing but they bad been found guilty of an offence for which they had subjected themselves to sent out the country for the  for the rest of their lives. With respect to transportation, was fit they should know it was quite   of different nature to what it was formerly. When they arrived they would find not mere change from one country to another, where they would be employed their own occupatlons  but that they would subjected hard toil, which they would have to undergo under circumstances of painful description .The sentence of the Court was, that they should be each transported for the term of their natural lives. Twiddy said. on going from the bar, “I suffer innocently, my Lord.” No evidence was offered on the third indictment. Norwich Mercury 2 Aug 1834.