Police Courts heard cases relating to less serious offences and infringements of local bye laws, with cases decided on by a magistrate without a jury.
We hold Police Court records for the following burghs in the North East:
- Banchory 1895-1975 (AS/Kban/5)
- Banff 1841-1975 (AS/Bbnf/8)
- Ellon 1895-1975 (AS/Aeln/7/1)
- Fraserburgh 1881-1924, 1958-1975 (AS/Afra/2)
- Huntly 1949-1975 (AS/Ahty/4)
- Inverbervie 1924-1940 (AS/Kber/4/1)
- Inverurie 1868-1975 (AS/Aivr/4)
- Oldmeldrum 1894-1949 (AS/Aomd/2/2)
- Peterhead 1895-1975 (AS/Aphd/6)
- Portsoy 1964-1971 (AS/Bpsy/6)
- Rosehearty 1919-1969 (AS/Arhy/5/1)
- Turriff 1895-1960 (AS/Btur/3)
Please note that access to more recent records will be restricted under the terms of the Data Protection Act.
Often the legislation is cited rather than the crime itself, so you may need to refer to the original piece of legislation to discover what the individual is accused of. Copies of the acts may be held at both branches of the archive service, and some may be available online on the Legislation.gov.uk website.
For many of the volumes the Burgh Police (Scotland) Act 1892 (55 & 56 Vict. c.55) is referred to, and these are the most common offences appearing:
- s. 290: Allowing chimneys to catch fire
- s. 380: Penalties for 15 Offences including: (7) animal cruelty; (10) commiting a nuisance or using obscene language; (11) being drunk of any carriage, horse, cattle or steam engine, or in possession of loaded firearms.
- s.381: Penalties for 53 Police Offences including: (8) riding a horse or driving a cart or carriage furiously, recklessly or carelessly; (10) obstructing footpaths or public thoroughfares with a cart or carriage; (24) Being drunk and incapable; (25) wantonly discharging a firearm, reckless use of a sling or catapult, throwing stones, making bonfires or throwing fireworks to the danger or annoyance of residents; (53) loitering on paths or streets.
Banchory
The first volume of the Police Court Register for Banchory has been transcribed by volunteers Julia and Sandy R, and is available as a PDF below. Use the find tool to search for individual names.
Ellon
The first volume of the Police Court Register for Ellon has been transcribed by volunteer Sandy, and is available as a PDF below. Use the find tool to search for individual names.
Peterhead
The first volume of the Police Court Register for Peterhead has been transcribed by volunteer Sandy, and is available as a PDF below. Use the find tool to search for individual names.
Fraserburgh
The Police Court Books are valuable sources for family historians with ancestors who stayed in Fraserburgh in the late 19th century, but, as a thriving port, Fraserburgh welcomed sailors from across the North of Scotland and further afield and some of whom also appear in the Court Book.
The first volume of the Police Court books (AS/Afra/2/1), covering the period 27 August 1881 - 17 August 1896, has been transcribed by our volunteer Sandy W. and is available as a PDF below. Use the find tool to search for individual names.
Information recorded
The Court Book records:
- The name of the person accused and their designation (their profession, residence and, for women, their husband’s name).
- The date the case was heard at the court.
- The offence (see below).
- How they pleaded (many people didn't appear in court, in which case the plea column will appear blank – these cases usually forfeit any bail money they have paid and a warrant may have been issued to apprehend them).
- The amount paid to witnesses and the names of witnesses for the prosecution and defence (witnesses for the defence may be described as appearing 'in exculpation').
- The magistrate’s name and the finding (typically a fine or short jail sentence, occasionally non-residents can be ordered to leave town and some children are sent to industrial schools in Aberdeen. Very occasionally cases will be withdrawn).
- Any fines paid.
Crimes
Acts referred to in the first volume of the Police Court include:
- General and Police Improvement (Scotland) Act, 1862
- Public Houses Acts (Scotland) Amendment Act. 1862
- Burgh Police (Scotland) Act, 1892
- Harbour Docks and Rigs Clauses Act, 1847
- Trespass Acts
- Fraserburgh Harbour Acts and Bye Laws (AS/Afra/3/27 Fraserburgh Harbour Acts 1839 - 1922 may be of use here).