At the time of the verdict copies of what was claimed to be an authentic confession by Diggle to the crime were circulated, but the validity of this document is questionable and it is certainly not the work of an 'extreme illiterate'. In it there is no mention of what had motivated him to become a Luddite and much of its content is clearly aimed at discouraging others from following his path. Diggle apologies to his parents for his contempt for their advice and also admits to participating in 'most of the frame-breakings, which have taken place in this neighbourhood during the last eight months'.

Diggle's fate was both tragic and needless. He had married shortly before the shooting and at the time of his execution his wife was pregnant. Also by the end of 1816 the Luddite cause was all but lost. Nearly six years of struggle had achieved little and framework knitters remained down-trodden and impoverished. The movement had also suffered a major setback with the arrest of James Towle, one of the chief organisers of Luddites in Nottinghamshire, for his part in a raid on a lace factory in Loughborough during which frames to the value of £6,000 were destroyed. Some of the men arrested for this raid are mentioned at the bottom of the confession, including Thomas Savage, who was the paymaster for the Loughborough raid, and Towle's brother William. There is no suggestion, however, that Diggle was an informer.

Diggle's execution was quickly arranged after sentencing as it was feared an attempt would be made to free him. At about 8 a.m. on the morning of 2nd of April the doors of the County Hall opened and Diggle was brought out on a cart to the gallows on High Pavement. He appeared calm and composed as he told the large crowd gathered that 'Ludding' had brought him to where he was that day. After a few minutes of prayer the noose was placed around his neck and the cart driven away 'launching him into eternity'.

Soon afterwards James Towle and five of his associates from the Loughborough raid were also hung in Leicester, and with them finally died the spirit of the Luddites in Nottinghamshire.

Sources:
Angela Bull; The Machine Breakers: The story of the Luddites. William Collins. (1980)
Christopher Weir; As Poor as a Stockinger. Nottinghamshire County Council. (1998)
William Felkin; The History of the Machine-Wrought Hoisery and Lace Manufacture. (1867)
J.H. Beardsmore; The History of Hucknall-Torkard. (1909)
The Nottingham Date Book; archivecdbooks.org (Many thanks to Rod Neep for drawing my attention to this source.)