Hannah PRITCHARD in Gaol, Harsh Convictions c1850 ! (General)

by Jefff , West London, Middlesex, Saturday, December 06, 2014, 15:26 (3644 days ago) @ patsy

They were very harsh times. Remember that during these times young boys were being transported to Australia for many years just for stealing a sheep. No doubt they just wanted to eat, as Hannah probably wanted to stay warm and cook her meals. There is also long history of strict laws regarding protection of the King's Forests, still very important then for building the Navy's warships which were the very backbone of the British Empire across the world.
I think in those days the well-to-do JPs and Magistrates always came down very firmly on those from the opposite end of the social system, even if they were just trying to survive. I expect an Irish girl, much like the gypsies and suchlike, could get "special" treatment in this respect. Even in our days the Vurristers are usually wary if not suspicious of Vurriners...

This website gives an idea as to what sentences were commonplace during the early to mid 1800s.
http://www.convictrecords.com.au/crimes/larceny