Here-comes-the-judge

AQUiLA MAGAZINE

VICTORIAN CRIME

HERE COMES THE JUDGE

Well the first Readers’ Takeover issue – Victorian Crime – was a rollercoaster through a pretty shady time in history. We learnt a lot about the crimes that went on in these times, but what about the punishments? It’ s time to take a closer look!

AQUILA’ S MISSION

Picture the scene: It’ s 1860s London, and you, His Honour Judge Jones, has had a terrible morning. You’ ve barely slept, you’ ve missed breakfast, and every magistrate is unavailable, so you’ ve been dragged off to Wapping Street Court. The room will be hot, noisy and packed, the air will be stuffy, and the day long. Luckily, none of the defendants has a lawyer, so most cases should be over quickly. It’ s up to you to read each case, weigh up the crime, and pass sentence. Above all, JUSTICE MUST BE DONE!

ACTIVITY SKILLS

A few hours which you can split across several sessions

DIFFICULTY

Weigh up each case carefully, like the scales on top of the Old Bailey

GET STARTED

STEP ONE: Meet the defendants

Here are ten defendants, with their ages and crimes. All have pleaded guilty or been found guilty, so it’ s time for sentencing.

YOU WILL NEED

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Pens and paper for notes

This works best in pairs or small groups.( You may also want to research the Victorian justice system in books or online.)

Name of defendant Will Collins( age 8) George House( age 25) Lucy Arnold( age 10) Betty Brown( age 31) Bill Carstairs( age 62) Thomas Gibb( age 40) Martin Jones( age 17) Becky Bruce( age 14) Mary Wilde( age 47) James Harper( age 52)

Crime found guilty of Stealing a loaf of bread from a street trader Breaking and entering house, stealing Pickpocketing in the street Stabbing brutal husband during beating Willful damage of property Murdering member of rival street gang Arson of house following argument Poaching pheasants, Lord Seymour’ s land Drunk and disorderly outside gin shop Fraud, cheating partner out of money

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