jørgensen spent the next few years in london, where he began to drink heavily and gamble compulsively, building up substantial debts which eventually led to his conviction and incarceration. when released from prison in 1812, he travelled to spain, portugal and gibraltar and upon his return to england was again imprisoned when his creditors caught up with him. following correspondence with the british foreign office, jørgensen was recruited into the intelligence service, where he translated documents and travelled throughout france and germany as a spy as the napoleonic wars drew to a close. in 1815 jørgensen witnessed the battle of waterloo. while he was never involved in the battle, he was situated relatively close to some of the action. upon returning to england, jørgensen continued to write various reports, papers and articles but after being accused of theft in 1820, was imprisoned in newgate prison, released, and sent back there when he failed to leave britain (a condition of his parole). a sentence of death was commuted thanks to the actions of a prominent friend and he spent another three years in newgate before he was transported to australia in 1825.