THE STOCKBRIDGE MURDER CASE

 1889

Part III

THE TRIAL.

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THE STOCKBRIDGE MURDER CASE, 1889

Part II

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THE STOCKBRIDGE MURDER CASE

1889

Part I

News from the Mews is about to take another dark turn.

Over the next three weeks, the court journalism reproduced here will cover one of the most notorious Edinburgh murder cases of the 19th century, rendered even more shocking at the time by the perpetrator being a woman and the victims babies.

1886–88

SUNDAY FOOTBALL

A fine of 1s each, with the option of 24 hours’ imprisonment, was imposed on each of five boys, whose ages ranged from 12 to 15 years, for playing football on Sunday evening last in Gilchrist Court, Greenside.

Edinburgh Evening News, 14 April 1886

1885

KEEPING A DISORDERLY HOUSE.

At the City Police Court, a woman named Jessie Irvine or Aitchison was ordered to pay a fine of £5, or go 30 days to jail, for keeping a disorderly house and harbouring loose women in Simpson’s Court, Greenside Row, on and since 5th November last.

Edinburgh Evening News, 2 February 1885

1883

A VIOLENT INDIVIDUAL

James Graham pleaded guilty, at the City Police Court, to having behaved in a disorderly manner yesterday in a stair leading to, and knocked in the panel of the door of his brother-in-law’s house in New Broughton. He also assaulted the two constables who arrested him. A fine of 20s was imposed, with the option of ten days in jail.

Edinburgh Evening News, 11 September 1883

1878

THIS DAY’S POLICE NEWS

MOLESTING POLICE OFFICERS.

At the City Police Court, before Bailie Rowatt, a young man, named Patrick M’Gachie, was accused of committing a breach of the peace in Rose Street and Rose Street Lane on Thursday night, and at the same time obstructing and molesting two police officers, and attempting to rescue a female prisoner then in their charge.

1877

SHEBEENING IN GREENSIDE ROW.

At the City Police Court, a man named John Buist, residing in Simpson’s Court, was charged with having trafficked in liquors in his house without having the necessary license.

—He pleaded guilty, and was fined £7, with the alternative of six weeks’ imprisonment.

Edinburgh Evening News, 12 February 1877

1875–76

Mr EDWIN KNOWLES, Riding Master, Respectfully intimates that he has RESIGNED his connection with the Tollcross Riding Academy, where he has been Master for upwards of Seven Years; and, at the urgent request of numerous patrons, he has COMMENCED BUSINESS on his Own Account, at NORTHUMBERLAND STREET LANE (East), where, from his thorough Experience, and by the most assiduous and courteous personal attentions at all times to the requirements of those honouring him with their patronage, he hopes to merit their con

1874

THIS DAY’S POLICE NEWS.

NOISY DOGS.

At the City Police Court, Mr John Pringle[1] and Mr James Young were charged with having dogs in their premises in York Lane which annoyed the inhabitants of the surrounding houses.

In defence they stated that the dogs were necessary for the protection of their property, from which, previous to their having them, many things had been stolen.