In December of 1891 two young lads were found guilty of stealing a jar of sweets from a Stromness grocer shop. What punishment was meted out to the errant youths for this confectionary crime?

John Thomas Manson, 14, of John Street, Stromness, and John Sinclair, 15, of Graham Place, Stromness, stood before Sheriff Armour at the Orkney Sheriff Court, Kirkwall, and the evidence was produced.

Police Constable Halcrow, apprehended the accused on ‘information received’. He had also retrieved the discarded sweet jar, with one sweet still in it.

The grocer’s shop belonged to Ann Byas, a single lady of 52 years of age, originally from Larbert in Fife, but now running her little business in Dundas Street, Stromness. Ann Byas also lived in Graham Place, so was a neighbour of John Sinclair.

John Manson, confessed to stealing the jar of sweets which he then proceeded to share with his pal, John Sinclair. He threw away the jar once they’d eaten the contents, except for 1 sweetie. The jar was later identified by Ann Byas as being from her shop.

John Manson’s father, William, was a Master Mariner. A well known and respected resident of Stromness. He was present during the court proceedings.

Sheriff Armour turning to John Manson, said that he was going to take a lenient view to the apprentice baker’s sweetie stealing. He said that Manson was of good character, with respectable parents, and that it was a first offence. He added that as the amount stolen was trifling he fined Manson £2.

Turning his attention to John Sinclair, Sheriff Armour said that ‘he appeared to be a bad boy’, and that he had a previous offence. His punishment was in stark contrast to that delivered to John Manson. Remember Manson had stolen the sweets and shared them with Sinclair.

Sheriff Armour declared that John Sinclair :

“would have to undergo 10 days imprisonment at the expiration of which he would be sent to a Reformatory to be there detained for a period of three years.”

Fiona Grahame

---