Would someone with a "find my past" subscription be able to help me?

[NannyR]

I've noticed that FMP have released lots of criminal records on their website recently.

I have an ancestor who spent time in prison, but I've never been able to find out why. I put his details into FMP search engine and found a record that looks promising, but I no longer have a subscription and can't really afford to buy credits, especially if it turns out not to be relevant.

I would be very grateful if someone with access to FMP would be able to take a look at the record and give me a few details.

His name is James Henry Nelson, born 1861 in Keighley, west yorks. On the 1881 census he was in HMP Wormwood Scrubs.
The record I found is for a James Nelson born in 1860, the year and place of the event is 1880 and Yorkshire and the record series is HO140.

Thank you very much.

Ooh I hadn't realised these records were available. Looks like James was a baddun.

Lots of info: Wakefield Dec 14 1877 C. J Act : stealing 30 cigars at Bradford - 21 days. Wakefield. May 15 1878: rogue and vagabond- 1 month. Leeds, Dec 1 1879" throwing stones in the public street-10 days or pay 10s.

Labourer- Imprisoned. Date of warrant 6 Apr 1889, received into Custody 7 Apr 1880. Unlawfully and maliciously wounding George Blakey with intent to do him some gbh, at Bradford, on the 23 Jan last.

Breaking and entering the warehouse of George Blakey and stealing therein nine pence in money, his property, at Bradford, on the 23 Jan last.

Tried 22 Apr 1880 Pleaded guilty of warehouse breaking. Pleaded guilty of warehouse breaking after a previous conviction of felony. To be kept in penal servitude for 7 years. Previous conviction Dec 14 1877 stealing cigars 21 days.

The second offence says "the like" so whether that is the same 7 years or additional time I don't know.

Thank you! That's very interesting. Sounds like its the right man - the family lived in Bradford.

That's a lot of info. I was looking at this site last night as I wanted to look at discharge records for a merchant seaman. I can't find anywhere on the site that tells me exactly what information it will contain though. Would you know?