Corpun file 5775

The Times, London, 12 March 1869, p.12

Flogging Highwaymen.

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Ralph and Thomas Charlton and William Fatkin, pitmen, were convicted at the late Spring Assizes, held in Newcastle-on-Tyne, of a highway robbery with great violence on Mr. C. Foster, a rent collector in the employment of the River Tyne Commissioners at Walker, and, in addition to passing a sentence of transportation on them, Mr. Justice Brett ordered each of them to received 18 lashes in gaol. The sentence was carried out on Wednesday, in the presence of the Mayor and other officials. The prisoners were taken, half stripped, into the work room. Fatkin's arms were extended and fastened, a little above his head, to a pillar, and Ralph Charlton and Thomas Charlton were allowed to stand by while the former received 18 lashes with an ordinary cat-o'-nine-tails. The thongs were free from knots; and after he was taken down the other two were similarly punished. They are reported to have borne it with considerable firmness. This was the first flogging of adults which has occurred in Newcastle gaol, and it will, no doubt, have a salutary effect.