1830? – Estimated year of birth.
1855 – 5th November – Committed to Thames Police Constabulary for Assault and Theft.
1855 – 6th November – Extract from the Morning Post – “James Finn, aged 25, described as a labourer having no home, and John Manning, aged 23, of 54, Lambeth-street, Whitechapel, were brought before Mr. Ingham on remand, charged with assaulting and robbing Neal Leitch, a sofa- maker, of No. 18, King-street, Bethnal-green. Mr. Leitch stated that on Tuesday evening last, about 10 minutes before 11 o’clock, he was passing along Leman street, Whitechapel, on his way home, with his hands in his pockets, when two women accosted him and made overtures to him. He repulsed them, and immediately the two prisoners seized him, one on the right side of his neck, and the other on the left, forced their knuckles into his throat, and nearly choked him. Two other fellows attacked him behind, pulled him back, and threw him heavily on the ground. He struck his head on the kerbstone in falling, and was stunned. He felt hands in all his pockets as he fell, and when he recovered his senses his pockets were turned inside out, and all his money, consisting of 10s. in gold, and 12s. 6d. in silver, was gone. He directly proceeded to the station-house in Leman street and gave a description of the thieves, and the prisoners were soon afterwards taken into custody. He identified them immediately. Finn was the first to seize hold of him, and Manning ” followed suit.” He had a short pipe in his mouth, which was forced down his throat, and his mouth was burnt. His waistcoat, shirt, and trousers were torn by the violence of the villains. In answer to questions by Mr. Rozon, clerk to Mr. Pelham, who appeared for Manning, the prosecutor said he was quite sober on Tuesday night, and did not point out two other men as the thieves. Joseph Deeble, 195 H, said he apprehended the prisoners at a house in Lambeth street, Whitechapel, 200 yards from Leman street, a few minutes after the robbery. Manning said, “I know what you have come for”. The prosecutor recognised them instantly. He knew the prisoners to be most notorious thieves. They belonged to a lawless and desperate gang of savage ruffians, who were dwelling in and near Lambeth street. Manning had been convicted for receiving 50 stolen silk handkerchiefs. Mr. Ingham committed the prisoners for trial at the Clerkenwell sessions.”
1855 – 19th November – Extract from Middlesex House of Detention Calendars 1836-1889 – James Finn, a 25-year-old single labourer, is convicted of Theft and Assault at the Middlesex Quarter Sessions and sentenced to 4 years in prison for“Feloniosly assaulting Niel Leach, and stealing from his person a tobacco-box and divers monies.”
1856 – 5th January – Transferred to Millbank Prison. He is given the prisoner number 1838. He is listed as a 1st class prisoner and has one chevron.
1856 – 4th July – James Finn is visited by his sister.
1856 – 22nd August – Transferred to Portland Prison. His is given the prisoner number 6492. His behaviour and health here are oftentimes listed as Indifferent.
1857 – 22nd February – Reported for irregularity.
1857 – 6th November – Suspended from stage 2 diet for the month due to bad behaviour.
1857 – 27th March – Transferredto Chatham Prison. He is given the prisoner number 870.
1857 – 27th November – Reported for irregularity.
1857 – 28th November – Reported for irregularity.
1858 – 15th September – Transferred to Millbank Prison. He is given the prisoner number 7769.
1858 – 18th September – Transferred to Pentonville Prison. He is given the prisoner number 8231. He is described in the Gaoler’s Report as being a mutineer.
1858 – 23rd December – Transferred to Chatham Prison. His is given the prisoner number 2150. Here his health is Good and his behaviour Very Good.
1859 – 6th May – Removed from Chatham Prison and transferred to Woking Convict Invalid Prison. Prisoner Number 50.
He is described as dark complexioned with dark brown hair and hazel eyes and his height is 5’4 and his body type is robust. He is noted as having a tattooed ‘W’ on his right arm, ‘J.F LxM’ on his left arm and as having a deep dimpled chin. He is noted as being a single protestant and his next of kin is his sister, Mrs Pettifoot, living at 97 Union St., Borough Market, London.
1859 – 18th November – Released from Woking Convict Invalid Prison.