A hundred years ago Stromness was a much busier place than it is today and proud of its autonomy from Kirkwall.

At the start of March 1924 the Burgh Police Court met in what then was the ‘new’ Town Hall, dispensing justice on the law breakers of the district.

On the Bench wielding judgment on the long arm of the law were Provost Clouston and Bailie Mowat – and it started with the Juvenile Court from which the Press were excluded.

Three young lads pled guilty to playing in the street and were fined 5 shillings each( or 5 days).

Another youngster was fined £1 (10 days) for stealing a ball of twine from a trawler. He was given a month to pay the fine.

For assaulting a young lad to the ‘effusion of blood’ a youth pled guilty in a “sang froid” manner, stating that his cycle had been taken for an hour or more without his consent, but he also had to pay 5 shillings (5 days).

The Court also heard from the owner of a Motor Bus who had left his vehicle unattended for some hours and obstructing the flow of traffic. This charge was withdrawn with the owner promising never to do so again.

Fiona Grahame