Thomas Cooper: The Highbury Highwayman

In the mid-19th century, as London expanded and urbanisation crept into what were once rural fringes, crime remained a persistent concern for both authorities and citizens. Among the criminals whose actions left a mark on the city’s history was Thomas Cooper, a young man who earned infamy as the Highbury Highwayman. His brief but violent spree of robberies and the tragic murder of Police Constable Timothy Daley in 1842 cemented his place in the annals of Victorian crime.

The shooting of PC Daley by the Highbury Highwayman.

A Life of Crime

Thomas Cooper was just 23 years old when he committed the acts that would lead to his execution. An unemployed bricklayer from Clerkenwell, Cooper was likely driven to crime by the harsh realities of life in Victorian London, where poverty and desperation pushed many to illegal activities. However, unlike petty thieves, Cooper opted for a more brazen and violent path: highway robbery.

Cooper operated primarily in the Highbury area, which, at the time, was on the outskirts of London, with fields, quiet roads, and wooded areas providing ample cover for ambushes. Armed with a pair of flintlock pistols, he targeted travellers passing through the area, robbing them at gunpoint. His attacks were marked by aggression and a willingness to resort to violence, setting him apart from the stereotypical “gentleman” highwaymen of folklore.


The Fatal Incident

Cooper’s crime spree escalated on 5th May 1842, when his actions turned deadly. That day, Cooper was ambushing travellers near Hornsey Wood when Police Constable Timothy Daley, a member of the relatively new Metropolitan Police Force, responded to reports of a highwayman in the area.

PC Daley, only 31 years old, was a courageous officer who had been serving in a force still establishing itself in Victorian society. At the time, the police were often met with suspicion and hostility from the public, but Daley was committed to his duty. He confronted Cooper and gave chase.

During the pursuit, Charles Mott, a local baker, attempted to assist PC Daley. However, the confrontation turned bloody. Cooper shot Mott in the shoulder, maiming him, and then turned his pistol on PC Daley, shooting him fatally in the chest. Daley’s death sent shockwaves through the community, not only because of its brutality but also because it highlighted the dangers faced by police officers in the line of duty.


Capture and Trial

After the murder of PC Daley, Cooper’s capture became a priority for the authorities. Following an intense manhunt, Cooper was apprehended. Reports suggest that he attempted to evade justice by ingesting poison, but he survived and was brought to trial at the Old Bailey, London’s central criminal court.

The evidence against Cooper was overwhelming. Witnesses testified to his violent acts, and the injuries sustained by Charles Mott provided damning proof of his guilt. The murder of a police officer was a grave crime, viewed with particular severity by the courts. It took little time for the jury to convict him, and he was sentenced to death.


Execution at Newgate

On 4th July 1842, Thomas Cooper was executed at Newgate Prison. His hanging was a public event, as was customary at the time, attracting crowds eager to witness the fate of the man who had terrorised Highbury. Public executions were seen as both a form of punishment and a deterrent, though their actual effectiveness in reducing crime is debatable.

Cooper’s death marked the end of a short but violent career in crime. However, the impact of his actions—particularly the murder of PC Daley—continued to resonate.


Legacy

The murder of PC Timothy Daley was a significant moment in the history of the Metropolitan Police, which had been established just 13 years earlier, in 1829. Daley became the fifteenth officer to be killed in the line of duty, and the first to die by gunfire. His death underscored the risks faced by early Victorian police officers, who often worked alone and were poorly equipped to deal with armed criminals.

The case of Thomas Cooper also highlighted the enduring threat of highway robbery, even as London modernised and expanded. While romanticised portrayals of highwaymen often focus on figures like Dick Turpin, Cooper’s story provides a grittier, more realistic picture of the violence and desperation that characterised many of these crimes.


Highbury and Its Transformation

Today, Highbury bears little resemblance to the area Cooper once prowled. The fields and wooded paths that provided cover for highwaymen have long since given way to elegant Victorian terraces, bustling high streets, and the iconic Emirates Stadium, home to Arsenal Football Club. The story of Thomas Cooper, however, remains a fascinating piece of local history, offering a glimpse into a time when even the outskirts of London were fraught with danger.


Remembering PC Timothy Daley

The murder of PC Daley serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by police officers in the line of duty. While his name may not be as well-known as some of his contemporaries, his bravery and dedication to protecting the public deserve to be remembered.

Daley’s death also contributed to the gradual professionalisation of the Metropolitan Police. Over time, officers were better trained and equipped to handle violent criminals, and the force became more accepted and respected by the public.


Thomas Cooper’s life and crimes encapsulate the tumultuous era of early Victorian London. His actions, driven by desperation and violence, led to tragedy and ultimately his own downfall. Yet his story also sheds light on the challenges faced by those tasked with upholding the law in a rapidly changing city.

While the days of highwaymen are long gone, their legacy lingers in the public imagination, a mix of myth and reality.

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