Robberies on tracks and roads were commonplace as we well know. Indeed after dusk the highways were places to avoid where possible. Newspapers were full of stories of highway robberies and many generations later films and television dramas immortalised these violent criminals to almost heroic proportions.
In 1836 two children were in the news:
“Miniature Highwaymen
John Tarling, aged 11 and William Turberfield, aged 10 were indicted for assaulting on the highway, putting in bodily fear, and by force of arms, stealing from the person of Edward Brunsdon, half a crown. The capital part of the charge was not pressed, and these juvenile Turpins, whose heads scarcely reached so high as to be visible at the bar, pleaded guilty to the charge of robbery. Sentenced to be whipped and discharged.”
