1798: John Raynor Hanged in Sydney for House-Breaking
In July 1798, the court of criminal judicature convened in Sydney specifically to try John Raynor, described by contemporaries as an incorrigible offender whose fate had long been predicted. Convicted of house-breaking, Raynor was hanged at Sydney Cove on 31 July 1798.
Before his execution, Raynor left a written letter enumerating the many offences he had committed over his criminal career, while also denying several charges that had been laid against him.
