John Walker – Convicted for Stealing Onions
Stealing onions: the case of John Walker
- What happened in Victorian Courts and how do we know this?
- What was life like for Victorian farmers and farm labourers?
- How were offenders treated in Victorian times?
- How did farmers feel about those who stole their crops?
In groups, answer the following questions:
- Do you think John Walker was guilty of stealing the onions? Think about this, and give evidence from the story to support your opinions.
- Why would he have stolen 2 bushels (about 8 large buckets) of onions?
- To sum up: Using the evidence that you have, write a speech for Walker’s prosecution or defence.
- Did John Walker deserve to be given seven years penal servitude for stealing 8 buckets of onions?
- What was it like to have penal servitude?
Watch the case reconstruction of the trial, and discuss in groups or as a class the above questions.