Prison sentences for trespass

At a Justice of Peace Court, held here, upon the 7th ult. the following delinquents, viz. William Morison, clerk to Mr Copland, Insurance Broker in Aberdeen, Peter Symmers, at Sclattie; Christian Symmers there; and several others (whose names are withheld on account of their personal respectability, and the contrition they evinced) were brought forward, upon a complaint at the instance of Mr Forbes of Seaton, which charged them with trespassing within his grounds, and with contravening various of the Statutes enacted for the protection of young trees.  After a full investigation of these charges, the Justice pronounced judgement against Morison, and the two Symmers, finding each of them liable in a penalty of L.10 sterling; and granting warrant to commit them to the Tolbooth of Aberdeen, there to be detailed for the space of six months, or until they should make payment of the penalties so awarded.  The other delinquents having confessed their error, were assoilzied, with Mr Forbes' consent, on payment of the actual expence of prosecution.

We think it right to make known the result of this case, as a warning to those who, under the pretence of seeking for bird's nests, and other purposes, are in the practice of entering private grounds in the neighbourhood of the town, and cutting and breaking down young trees.  Every one is interested more or less to put a stop to practices so wanton and mischievous; and we are glad to understand that a new prosecution is in forwardness against some others, for similar trespasses on the lands of Cotton.

Published in the Aberdeen Journal, Wednesday 7th July 1819.

Offenders sentenced to imprisonment

In the course of the last fortnight, the following persons have been sentenced to confinement and hard labour in Bridewell, and other wise punished, as follows, viz. :-

Elizabeth Birnie, for striking and maltreating a Woman, to the effusion of her blood, to thirty days confinement in Bridewell.

Janet Allan, and Elizabeth McMillan, for stealing linen from a Bleach-green at Ferryhill, to three calendar months confinement there.

Mark Aikman, (an old offender), for breaking into several Weaving Shops in Aberdeen, and stealing therefrom, a considerable quantity of Cotton and other Cloths, to six calendar months confinement in Bridewell, and to receive one hundred lashes by the hands of the common Executioner - fifty, at the expiry of three months, and the remaining fifty, before his liberation.  And he is, over and above, banished the burgh and liberties for two years.

James Scott, a vagrant, without any visible means of subsistence, for going into a public-house near the  lime bason, and conducting himself in an improper manner, breaking windows, collecting a crowd of people on the streets, &c. was sentenced to two months confinement and hard labour in Bridewell, and banished the burgh for life.

Published in the Aberdeen Journal, Wednesday 26th May 1819.

Conviction of Robert Allan & Alexander Cruickshank

On the 29th ultimo, Robert Allan, seaman, and Alexander Cruickshank, ropemaker, were convicted before the Justices, of riotous and disorderly behaviour in the Oldtown market, - of a breach of the peace - of striking, beating, and abusing different people - one man to the danger of his life; and were sentenced to be confined in Bridewell for twelve calendar months.

Published in the Aberdeen Journal, Wednesday 4th November 1818.

Conviction of John Dow and Charles Dow

On Wednesday last, John Dow, and Charles Dow, labourers, were convicted before the Sheriff, of an obstruction of one of the Officers of the court, and an attempt to rescue a person apprehended by him under a warrant from the Sheriff, and were sentenced to be imprisoned in the Tolbooth of Aberdeen; John Dow for one calendar month, and Charles Dow for fourteen days.

Published in the Aberdeen Journal, Wednesday 19th February 1817.

Trial in Aberdeen Magistrates' Court

Upon the 9th day of November current, Alexander Ross, William Ross, James Pillar, Alexander Pillar, Robert Fleming, William Burnett, George Brown, and Hugh McSween, boys mostly under 15 years of age, were all brought to trial before the Magistrates, at the instance of the Procurator Fiscal, accused of no less than Twenty-two different acts of Theft, committed within the past two months, upon the property of Merchants, and others within the Town, by these boys, who had formed themselves into a gang.  And upon the 12th current, Ann Bowie, Confectioner and Pye-maker in Aberdeen, was in like manner brought to trial, for inticing the foresaid boys into her Shop, encouraging them to spend money for Pies and Puddings, and resetting several articles from them, knowing that they had procured their money for property stolen by them, and that the articles so resetted by here were stolen.  The Sitting Magistrate, on the evidence being closed, and after addressing the Prisoners, and such of their Parents as were present, in a most impressive and feeling manner, sentenced them as follows, viz.:- Alexander Ross, (the eldest of the gang) to six months confinement and hard labour in Bridewell, and to receive fifty lashes on his bare back by the hands of the Common Executioner, the day previous to his liberation; George Brown (about 13 years of age, who had formerly been punished by imprisonment in the Tolbooth for stealing,) to four months confinement and hard labour in Bridewell, and to receive twenty-five lashes on his bare back by the hands of the Common Executioner, the day previous to his liberation; William Ross, James Pillar, Alexander Pillar, Robert Fleming, William Burnett, and Hugh McSween, each to two months confinement and hard labour in Bridewell; and Ann Bowie, to three months confinement and hard labour in Bridewell.

Published in the Aberdeen Journal, Wednesday 13th November 1816.

Ann Wylie & Rachel Campbell: prison sentence

On Monday last, Ann Wylie and Rachel Campbell, lately servants to Messrs Gordon, Barron, & Co. at their Cotton Mills, Woodside, having been convicted before the Sitting Magistrate of stealing from the Manufactory of their said masters, were sentenced by him to be confined in Bridewell for the space of Six Calendar Months; and to stand on the Pillory for one hour, previous to their imprisonment in Bridewell.

Published in the Aberdeen Journal, Wednesday 7th August 1816.

Margaret Keith or Tough

In the month of June last, the Sitting Magistrate, on the complaint of the Procurator Fiscal, sentenced Margaret Keith alias Tough, (a notorious and incorrigible thief, who had formerly been brought to trial before the Circuit Court of Justiciary, and sentenced to seven years transportation) to be confined and kept to hard labour in Bridewell for Two Years, for stealing.  This woman is upwards of 70 years of age.

Published in the Aberdeen Journal, Wednesday 10th July 1816.

Pickpockets emprisoned in Aberdeen

On Sunday last, John Burd, James Brodie, and Andrew Anderson, were committed to prison here, charged with Theft and Picking Pockets, in a market held at Oldmeldrum on Sunday last. – They are supposed to be part of gang at present infesting this country.

Published in the Aberdeen Journal, Wednesday 1^st December 1813.