An intriguing historical document has revealed the sentences of several Stafford prisoners almost 200 years ago during the reign of George IV.

Stored in the county's archives, the document dates from 15 July 1829 and recounts the names of prisoners who had recently been on trial, their crimes and the sentences they received.

Many of the prisoners appear to have been given incredibly harsh punishments for misdemeanours.

One unfortunate man, Meshach Shepherd, 28, was sentenced to be transported for life for stealing two linen shirts.

Another, Thomas Sansom, 46, received the same punishment for stealing a garden rake and fork.

From the late 17th century to the early 19th century, the English legal system is referred to as the 'Bloody Code' as such a large number of crimes were punishable by death.

In the 1800s, it was possible to be hanged for stealing from a rabbit warren, stealing goods worth a shilling (equivalent to £30) or even wrecking a fish pond.

Transportation was seen as a compromise as it was less extreme than hanging but more serious than a fine.

More than 165,000 convicts, such as Shepherd and Sansom, were sent to Australia.

Many died on the voyage and some of those transported were as young as nine.

The majority of convicts were working class people as richer prisoners were sometimes able to escape their fate by paying fines.

However, by the 1820s, attitudes were beginning to change.

In the same year as the document was published,1829, Home Secretary (later Prime Minister), Sir Robert Peel introduced the professional police force and removed the death penalty as a punishment for a large number of offences.

During this time, the idea that criminals should be reformed rather than punished gained popularity.

Not all of the prisoners listed faced such terrible fates.

James Irving, 46, was sentenced to 14 days imprisonment with hard labour for stealing a prayer book and Catherine Johnson, 40, also received 14 days for stealing mutton.

One fortunate teenager, 18-year-old Ann Willshaw, was not charged for the felony of stealing four sovereigns and five shillings due to lack of evidence.

Click here to see the document in full.

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