The True Story of Sweeney Todd Sweeney Todd was born on October 16, 1756. (Knowledge of London. 2004) His original birthplaces were somewhere in the fetid East End of London but some say 85 Brick Lane in the East End of London. Todd was the son of Elizabeth and Samuel Todd. Elizabeth Todd's mother was a silk spinner and Todd's father Samuel was a silk weaver. His parents worked together in a business, but received minimal compensation. When Todd was 12, both of his parents died in a tragic accident that no one is quite sure about. Todd was then sent to an orphanage. There he became an apprentice to a cutler named John Crook. (Knowledge of London. 2004) Two years later, when Todd was only 14, he was arrested for stealing a pocket watch. He was in Newgate Prison for five years. There in prison he met an old barber named Elmer Plummer. Plummer taught Sweeney how to cut hair, shave and pickpocket customers. (Knowledge of London. 2004) While Sweeney waited to be released he thought that with these newly acquired skills he could earn some money from his fellow inmates. Sweeney and Plummer joined together and began to shave and cut some of the hair of the prisoner who could afford it. (Knowledge of London. 2004)When Todd was released from prison he found work as a “flying barber”. (Richard Jones. February 21, 2004) He found this job unfulfilling and wanted to be his own boss, so on an afternoon walk he settled on this place near St. Dunstan's Church and a bakery. Sweeney Todd decided to purchase the premises as his business and home. He opened his barbershop at 186 Fleet Street in 1775. Todd met the baker, Mrs Lovett, who was right next door to him and they became lovers... middle of paper... y Sir Richard Blunt said sailors were disappearing from Todd's shop. Todd was eventually charged with one murder, that of Francis Thornhill. A pawn shop employee recognized Mr. Thornhill's pearls when Todd was trying to pawn them. Todd and Mrs Lovett were arrested in 1801. (The Independent. 3 January 2006) After their arrest an investigation was carried out in the basement and there the police found the bones piled up in the Weston family vault. Todd killed approximately 160 people over a 17-year period. Todd was found guilty ten minutes after the jury was told of the quantity of bones found in the Weston family vault. Mrs. Lovett committed suicide while in prison. (The Independent. 3 January 2006) Sweeney Todd was hanged at the age of 45 on 25 January 1802. His hanging took place in Newgate Prison in front of the largest recorded crowd of over a thousand people..