as a captain of the 1st foot guards, he helped in the escape from prison of napoleon's postmaster-general, comte de lavalette. he was put on trial in paris, along with robert thomas wilson and michael bruce, on charges of aiding in the count's escape from prison. the trial took place at the cour d'assises from 22 april to 24 april 1816. all three men were convicted and sentenced to three months' imprisonment.