QSR1911/4/2/4

Letter of statement from Frank Kirkby to the Court

16th October 1911

From: 1911 To: 1911

October 16th 1911 My Lord, In writing out this statement, I am doing so not with the intention of making excuses to you for what I have done, but with the hope, that If it is possible for me to have a fresh start for a better life, you will give me one more chance. Now I am fully aware, my Lord, that what I have done merits a severe punishment, and I can only say that whatever punishment you inflict upon me, I can and will not complain. I am nearly twenty-one years of age and have nothing but disgrace and trouble to show for my past life and I realize that if I go on the same as I have been going on during this last five years I shall end in absolute and complete destruction. Now I hope your Lordship will believe me, when I say that I want to be a decent and a respectable honest man. There is nothing good in my past life. I want to forget it as far as possible and to start on a fresh life with a clean page. No doubt, the Police will give me rather a black character and you will also be notified of my previous convictions, well I ask your Lordship, will you please over look them and deal with me as leniently as you can. You will notice that the last two sentences have be rather heavy, in fact, I have only had seven months freedom in four year. Of course, it is my own fault. I have only myself to blame, but I ask just for one more chance. I know that it is a serious charge that I am here for, but I should you to know. My Lord that I am not a hardened criminal. I cannot explain to you how loathsome the thought is to me that I might become hardened. I have some sense for shame in me, and I can truly and honestly say that I am heartily sorry for what I have done and I feel very much ashamed of myself to think that I should sink so low as to be like a professional thief. For this reason therefore I plead to you, my Lord to have mercy on me. Give me another chance, the last chance. I feel sure that it is no pleasure for your Lordship to send me to prison and I know there are others who would be very happy to see me going straight and so I ask you please deal as mercifully as you can with me, and I promise you faithfully by all that is sacred, that neither you, my Lord, or anyone else will ever regret that you extended your mercy toward me. My mother has forgiven me and has given permission to go back home and it remains for your Lordship to decide. I will conclude by asking, your Lordship to take into consideration that I gave the Police every help in recovering the stolen property (which they have done) and that I was arrested on the 8th of July, and have been waiting my trial in Prison ever since, making over 3 months in Prison. Hoping your Lordship will take all this into consideration and that as am on the verge of my 21st birthday, if I do not get a job before then it will be rather difficult after. Believe to be sincerely grateful for any mercy you may bestow upon me. Frank Kirkby

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