Unusualy for this period Thomas Hassell was convicted of Murder, and then his sentence was commuted to transportation.
On the night of 26th July 1830 an altercation broke out late in the evening outside the Phoenix, a public house owned by Joseph Chesters. 19 year old Hassell, aolong with a friend were a bit worse for wear, and refusing to pay back a debt he owed to John Chesters. Following a bit of pushing and shoving, Hassells stabbed Sarah Chester, who presumably tried to help breaking up the fight.
There were numerous witnesses to the incident, and Hassells was tried at the Cheshire Summer Assizes, and found guilty, with a reccomendation to mercy on account of his age, and previous good character.
He was sentenced to hang on 6th September, although the sentence was respited whilst appeals were made. Sentence was commuted, and he was transported for life.
He sailed on the ‘Exmouth’ departing on 3rd March 1831, and arriving in New South Wales on 28th July, 1831, along with 289 other convicts.
