Michael Williams (alias Flinn), 24, was tried and convicted along with Henry Williams (alias Martin), 28, and Frederick Williams, 21, on 16 September 1825 for the theft of a tea chest containing 90 pounds (41 kilograms) of tea worth £20 from the wharves at Queenhithe Dock in the City of London. Despite producing character witnesses, the men were sentenced to death. This was later commuted to transportation for life, and the three sailed for New South Wales on the Marquis of Huntley on 10 May 1826.