Alice Mullholland, 18, was a street trader who was sentenced to three months in Newcastle Goal for stealing boots.

The list of thefts committed was ominous enough, ranging from stealing of rabbits, beef, pigeons to clothes, tobacco and bed linen. In a fascinating record of early police portraiture, these men and women look into the new technology enabled apparatus sans hope, regret or amusement. Still proud, one can clearly see how they might have been asked by the cameraman to meet the ‘posing protocol’ of Victorian representation, hands/fingers locked. Not all of them care for protocol though. Take a sepia tinted look, courtesy the Tyne & Wear Archives.

Labourer William Brankston, 43, served a one-month sentence for stealing four rabbits.

Blacksmith William Bell, 32, was sent to Newcastle Goal for stealing beef.

Charles Burns, 19, a miner, was jailed for three months after being convicted of false pretenses.

Mary Patterson, 25, was jailed for six weeks for stealing poultry.

John Roman, 64, a tailor who was sentenced to 14 days of hard labour for stealing clothes.

Ezekiel Yates, 35, a grocer who received a six-month sentence for stealing tobacco.

Labourer Edward Shevlin, 32, was jailed for six months for stealing a coat.

Jane Carlisle, 29, served two months in jail after a conviction for stealing bed linen.

James Richley, 30, was served seven days of hard labour for stealing trivets, used as supports for kettles.

Robert Hardy, 21, served four months for stealing ale with two accomplices.

Cabinet maker David Barron, 19, was sentenced to six months in prison for stealing champagne.

William Harrison, 51, a porter who was sentenced to 12 months after he was convicted of obtaining oats by false pretense.