John Ross - "This Drunken Freak"

According to the pencil note above John Ross's photograph, he came from Lossiemouth. Perhaps it was his new-found freedom or the excitement of the bright lights of Aberdeen, but he soon found himself in trouble after moving to the big city. The Aberdeen Daily Journal of Saturday 29th September 1906 reported his trial under the headline "Aberdeen Housebreaker Sent to Prison", 

Before Hon. Sheriff Substitute Henry Peterkin, at Aberdeen yesterday, John Ross, coppersmith, was charged with having broken into premises adjoining a bakehouse at 93 George Street with intent to steal. He pleaded guilty. Mr. George Mackenzie, solicitor, who appeared for the accused, stated that the prisoner was a coppersmith to trade and came to Aberdeen about four months ago. So far as he (Mr. Mackenzie) knew, there was nothing against the accused before and it was certainly very unfortunate that he should have been tempted to break into those premises with intent to steal. The explanation was that he was the worse for drink and could not understand how he had let himself commit this drunken freak. Nothing had been stolen. Mr. T. Maclennan, Procurator Fiscal Depute, stated that the accused was caught before he had time to take anything. The sentence was two month's imprisonment. 

Criminal Portraits is taking a wee holiday for the next couple of weeks, but will be back in early August with more tales from Aberdeen's darker side...