Combing on line research in British newspapers with the on line files of the Central Criminal Court (Old Bailey), London reveals aspects of British society and what in more recent times would be called race relations. The Old Bailey file on the trial of George Kean on 10 May 1858 is a very short report as he pleaded guilty (ref: t18580510-522). Newspapers carried more details, noting that Kean was “a black man”. That does not seem to be why they carried reports – rather, it was on a point of legal process.

The charge was possessing counterfeit coin with intent to utter, which Kean said was true. There had been an earlier conviction back in February 1854, when he had been sentenced to four years’ penal servitude, the newspapers adding “He was well known previous to that conviction”. So he was sentenced to eight years but almost immediately called back into the court room where, as his previous convictions were not on the present indictment, the sentence was reduced to three years. The newspaper reports end “The prisoner made a bow, and smiled at the lucky escape upon the point of law”.

Kean – sometimes Keane – was aged 28 and a sailor, but his origins are not mentioned. The newspapers carrying the report included the Globe of 11 May 1858 p 3, the Northern Whig of 14 May 1858 p 4, the North British Daily Mail of 15 May 1858 p 4, and the Southern Reporter and Cork Commercial Courier of 17 May 1858 p 3.