Circuit court cases

Yesterday, the Circuit Court of Justiciary was opened here, by the Right Hon. Lords Hermand and Gilles, and proceeded to the trial of James Ritchie, from the Parish of Gamrie, accused of stealing 30 sheep from the Parks of Gordon Castle; he was unanimously found guilty by the jury, who also, with one dissenting voice, recommended him to mercy, on account of his youth, being only 17 years of age.  He was sentenced to be hanged at Aberdeen, on Friday the 5th of June.

James Ritchie, lately Cattle Dealer at Tillymair, Parish of Tough, accused of falsehood, fraud, and wilful imposition, by uttering two bills with false and fictitious subscriptions, was unanimously found guilty, and sentenced to one year's imprisonment.

John Grant, lately Blacksmith at Muiresk, Parish of Turriff; William Grant, lately Blacksmith there; and James Daun, at Hillockhead of Glass, accused of different acts of assault.  John Grant, having broke out of prison, failed to appear.  William Grant pled guilty, to one act of assault; James Daun pled not guilty.  The diet was deserted against James Daun, pro loco et tempore; the other charges against William Grant being also passed from, and in consideration of previous long confinement, he was sentenced to be imprisoned for three months.

Jean Mathieson, lately residing in Aberdeen, accused of child-murder and concealment of pregnancy, pled guilty to concealment of pregnancy, but denied the murder, which charge being passed from, she was sentenced to three months imprisonment.

Published in the Aberdeen Journal, Wednesday 22nd April 1818.

BROKE PRISON AND ESCAPED!

ON the night betwixt Monday the 12th and Tuesday the 13th days of January current, the following persons broke out of, and escaped from the JAIL of ABERDEEN, viz:-

JAMES HENDERSON, son of Thomas Henderson, lately vintner in the North-street of Aberdeen, under sentence of Transportation for Housebreaking and Theft.

JOHN McBARNET, alias BARNET, Labourer, lately residing in the Kirktown of Peterhead, accused of various acts of Housebreaking and Theft.

JOHN GRANT, Blacksmith, late at Mains of Muiresk, in the parish of Turriff, (son of John Grant, in Meadowley, parish of Tarland), accused of an aggravated Assault.

A REWARD of TEN GUINEAS

Is offered for the apprehension of each of the said JAMES HENDERSON and JOHN McBARNET, alias BARNET;

AND FIVE GUINEAS

For the apprehension of the said JOHN GRANT.

To be paid, on their being respectively lodged in any of his Majesty's Jails; and any information will be received by Alexander Cadenhead, Advocate in Aberdeen, Procurator Fiscal for the Burth of Aberdeen, and the informer's names concealed.

Aberdeen, 13th January, 1818.

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Description of the foresaid Persons:

1.  JAMES HENDERSON is about 18 or 19 years of age, thinly made, dark brown cropt hair, dark eyes, and of dark complexion; about 5 feet 6 inches high, his hair pretty long on the forehead, and turned to one side; is rather good looking, and of a genteel appearance.  The forefinger of his right hand has been recently cut.  Had on a long brown or snuff-coloured new coat, a new yellow vest, new grey cloth pantaloons, and a new hat; a pair of new thin shoes, and white worsted stockings, with a black silk handkerhief about his neck.  Is supposed to have gone southward with one of the coaches.

2.  JOHN McBARNET, alias BARNET, aged about 34 years, 5 feet 9 or 10 inches high, stout made, has rather small legs, brown hair, red whiskers, a strong reddish coloured beard, bush eye-brows, dark grey eyes, of a downcast and thoughtful look, and very round shouldered; has the mark of an old sore on the shin bone of one of his legs, the bone appearing to have been injured, and the part of a reddish or inflamed colour, which he says, was occasioned by a splinter, while serving on board the navy.  Had on a coarse hat, with a piece of black cord about it, but no ribbon, lined with yellow; had on a coarse dark blue short coat, with large white metal buttons, having small holes, or punctures on the surface of them; a green corduroy vest, single breasted, with small white metal buttons; a pair of green cotton velvet breeches; dark blue worsted stockings; a pair of old coarse shoes, rather large for his feet; and a silk handkerchief about his neck, of a light blue ground, and having yellow flowers on it.  Had in his possession a black silk napkin, containing three white coarse linen shirts, a pair of white corduroy breeches, newly washed, and a pair of razors, with transparent or tortoise-shell handles, in a case.

3.  JOHN GRANT, aged 26 years; five feet six or seven inches high; of a dark complexion, having dark hair, and grey eyes. -  Had on a short blue coat, with yellow metal buttons; dark stripped vest; dark blue pantaloons, half worn; and old thin shoes.

Published in the Aberdeen Journal, Wednesday 14th January 1818.