[stealing]

R. v. Pear or Parr
Court of Criminal Jurisdiction
Collins J.A., 12 April 1790
Source: Court of Criminal Jurisdiction, Minutes of Proceedings, 1788 to 1794, State Records N.S.W., 5/1147A

[178] William Pear was charged that for he on the night of Saturday the second day of April, in the nineteenth year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord George the Third, King of Great Britain, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, etc. with force and arms, at Sydney Cove, in the County of Cumberland, one pumpkin of a value of six pence, of the goods and chattels of Edward Humphries, then and there being found, feloniously did steal, take and carry away, against the peace of the said Lord the King, his Crown and Dignity.

            The prisoner on his arraignment, pleaded guilty.

            Court has – guilty.

He says in his defence, he was driven by hunger.

To receive 500 lashes in the usual manner.