http://www.oldbaileyonline.org/

 

Old Bailey Online – The Proceedings of the Old Bailey, 1674-1913 – Central Criminal Court

 

A fully searchable online edition of the largest body of texts detailing the lives of ordinary people ever published, containing accounts of over 100,000 criminal trials held at London’s central criminal court from 1674 to 183

Searchable by: Keyword

Sample:

William Hale. Theft: shoplifting. 

8th July 1719

William Hale of St. Clements Danes was indicted for feloniously stealing 15 pair of Worsted Hose, value 40 s. out of the Shop of  Thomas Rock the 23d of May last.

The Prosecutor deposed he lost a Board of Hose out of his Shop Window; and his Neighbour who lives right against him deposed, that he saw the Prisoner get up and look three times through the Grate, and when he saw the Shop clear, he reach’d over the Grate and took the Goods, whereupon he secur’d him. The Prisoner pleaded that he was Drunk, and lay down there; that he did not take the Goods; but that the Evidence took him and carry’d him into the Shop with the Goods. But that poor Defence did not avail him the Evidence being positive, the Jury found him Guilty .

Sentence: Death .

Death sentence for shoplifting… a tad harsh methinks.