William Laken - Saltley Reformatory Inmate
| No. in Admissions Register: | 1183 |
| Age: | 12 (born 22 January 1886) |
| Whence received: | Newcastle under Lyme |
| Description: | |
| Complexion: | Fresh |
| Hair colour: | Brown |
| Eyes colour: | Slate blue |
| Height: | 4 ft 7 ins |
| Particular marks: | Anchor and cross on right forearm |
| State of health: | Good |
| Able-bodied? | Yes |
| Date of admission: | 31 August 1898 |
| Late residence: | - |
| Parish he belongs to: | - |
| Customary work and mode of life: | - |
| Whether illegitimate: | No |
| State of education: | |
| Reads: | Imperfectly, Standard 4 |
| Writes: | Imperfectly, Standard 4 |
| Offence: | Stealing 5 newspapers, value 2½d |
| Circumstances which may have led to it: | Police report - very bad boy who has had no home training. Surroundings very bad. Father in bad health and drinks. Mother intemperate too |
| Date of sentence, by whom and court: | 27 August 1898; W O Briggs and K C Trigger; Newcastle under Lyme Police Court |
| Where imprisoned: | Detained in Workhouse until a [reformatory] school be found |
| Sentence: | 4 years at Saltley |
| Previous committals: | |
| Number: | 3 |
| Length: | 1) (27 December 1895) 6 strokes; 2) (13 March 1896) 6 strokes; 3) (1 November 1897) 12 strokes |
| For what: | 1) Wilful damage to lamps; 2) stealing sweets; 3) shop breaking and stealing pies |
| Father's name: | William Laken |
| Occupation: | Tailor |
| Mother's name: | Mary Ann Laken |
| Occupation: | Nil |
| Parents dead? | - |
| Survivor married again? | - |
| Parents' treatment of child: | - |
| Character of parents | Not very good |
| Parents' wages: | - |
| Amount parents agree to pay: | - |
| Parents address: | 47 Hall Street, Newcastle under Lyme |
| Superintendent of police (to collect payments): | - |
| Person making this return: | John Stirling, Chief Constable, 30 August 1898 |
| Notes: | |
| 4 August 1899 The Medical Officer reported: Strain of muscles of left arm at elbow, going on well by 23 August | |
| 5 January 1902 The Register of Boys on Licence records that Laken was licensed to go out and work for Mr C Dakin, Normanton, Leicestershire | |
| 26 August 1902 Sentence expired whilst on licence, discharged from Saltley | |