The Long Arm of the Law, 1891.
“It was not often that a case of this kind occurred in Orkney. “
On 5 December 1890, Peter Linklater, a cattle dealer and farmer of Innertown, travelled into Stromness with the considerable sum of £30 in notes in his pocketbook.
It was to be several days later that he became aware that his pocketbook, the money, and other items it contained, was missing.
It was immediately suspected that Arthur Morrison, 17, a labourer, had taken it. Morrison, however, had taken off to Aberdeen on the steamer from Stromness with his pal, fisherman, John Homister, who was also now implicated in the alleged crime.
News was sent to Aberdeen where the youths were detained by the forces of the law till Constable Halcrow was despatched from Orkney to collect them and bring them back to face the charges.
It soon became apparent that Homister did not take part in the theft but had joined in with Morrison in his spending spree in Aberdeen, enjoying the delights that the town held for two young lads.
Arthur Morrison pled guilty to the theft of £30 in notes, and the pocket book containing receipted bills and letters from Peter Linklater in Stromness.
The pair were remanded into custody and returned to Kirkwall with Constable Halcrow on 17 January, 1891, to appear before Sheriff Armour the following day. Bail of £15 was posted for both youths awaiting trial.
Since then evidence had been gathered to establish that Homister was not guilty of the crime, and “that it was Morrison who actually committed the crime.”
Not only did Morrison confess but as further proof of his guilt a large sum of money was found in his stockings where it had been concealed. £21 in bank notes, and 9 shillings in silver was found in his possession.
Sheriff Armour stated that,
“it was not often that a case of this kind occurred in Orkney. When however such a case did occur the guilty person must stand by the usual consequences which followed the commission of a crime of that sort, and it was his duty to inflict upon the prisoner such a punishment as would be the means of not only deterring him, but also of others, from being guilty of like offences. “
Taking into consideration his youth, and that this was a first offence, Sheriff Armour stated that he would deal ‘leniently’ with Morrison,
” and would strongly advise him when he came out of prison to give up such bad habits as he had indulged in, and clear out of the place altogether.”
Arthur Morrison was sentenced to 30 days of hard labour in prison.
Ref: The Orkney Herald, 28 January, 1891.
Fiona Grahame
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