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.

Alexander Gibson sentenced

On Monday last, Alexander Gibson was convicted before the Sheriff, in a prosecution at the instance of the Procurator Fiscal, of having, in the month of June last, committed a very aggravated assault on Elizabeth Jaffray, wife of Alexander Park, in Millhill of Crimond, by striking and wounding her on the head with a stick, to the effusion of her blood.  The Sheriff, after expressing in the strongest terms, his disapprobabion of the outrageous and unmanly conduct of the prisoner, in assaulting a defenceless woman, in the manner that had been clearly proved against him, sentenced him to confinement and hard labour in Bridewell, for the space of Six Calendar Months.

Published in the Aberdeen Journal, Wednesday 9th October 1816.

John Rae, merchant

I, JOHN RAE, merchant in Aberdeen, having upon the 8th day of May current, in an improper manner, interfered with, and obstructed Mr FIDDES, Landsurveyor of H.M. Customs at this port, while in the execution of his duty; but having done so, under the influence of misapprehension, in in the heat of passion, I have seen my error; and the Honourable the Commissioners of His Majesty's Customs, Edinburgh, having, at the request of Mr FIDDES, condescended to wave a prosecution, on my paying a fine, and entering into an engagement with security for my future good behaviour, and agreeing to apologize in the Aberdeen Newspaper; I accordintly, in this public manner, express my regret for my improper and unguarded conduct towards Mr FIDDES. 

JOHN RAE.

Aberdeen, 27th May, 1813.

Published in the Aberdeen Journal, Wednesday 2nd June 1813.