George Lawton - Saltley Reformatory Inmate
| No. in Admissions Register: | 622 |
| Age: | 12 |
| Whence received: | Stafford Gaol |
| Description: | |
| Complexion: | Fresh |
| Hair colour: | Light brown |
| Eyes colour: | Grey |
| Visage: | Round |
| Particular marks: | - |
| State of health: | Good |
| Able-bodied? | Yes |
| Date of admission: | 5 October 1878 |
| Late residence: | Newcastle under Lyme |
| Parish he belongs to: | Newcastle under Lyme |
| Customary work and mode of life: | Brickmaking |
| Whether illegitimate: | No |
| State of education: | |
| Reads: | Not at all |
| Writes: | Not at all |
| Offence: | Stealing iron |
| Circumstances which may have led to it: | - |
| Date of sentence, by whom and court: | 5 August 1878; W Mallard and W Cartwright; Borough of Newcastle Petty Sessions |
| Where imprisoned: | H M Prison Stafford |
| Sentence: | 2 months in prison, 5 years at Saltley |
| Previous committals: | |
| Number: | 2 |
| Length: | fined 2s 6d or 7 days; fined 2s 6d or 7 days);(boy not sent to prison on avccount of his youth) |
| For what: | Wilful damage; wilful damage |
| Father's name: | George Lawton |
| Occupation: | Sweep |
| Mother's name: | Catherine Lawton |
| Occupation: | - |
| Parents dead? | Neither |
| Survivor married again? | - |
| Parents' treatment of child: | Good |
| Character of parents | Indifferent. Health good |
| Parents' wages: | 27s per week |
| Amount parents agree to pay: | 2s 6d per week |
| Parents address: | Goose Street, Newcastle. (3 February 1882 Church Street, Bird Lane, Talke, Staffordshire |
| Superintendent of police (to collect payments): | Charlers Blyth, police officer, Newcastle |
| Person making this return: | - |
| When and how left reformatory | 4 May 1882 - Discharged 1 year early because of ill health. George died on 29 May 1882 |
Notes:
| Note at foot of Admissions Register: This boy has been the companion of a gang of boys who are frequently committing petty thefts |
| 3 October 1877 There is a report of one of his previous offences in the Staffordshire Sentinel Wednesday 3 October 1877 p.3 col.4: THE STONE-THROWING NUISANCE. - Thomas Bowers, George Lawton, and James Lawton, small boys, were charged with doing wilful damage to a window belonging to Robert Mason, of Goose-street. - Complainant's wife stated that seven panes of glass were broken, and the damage was 10s. 6d. - P.C. Oliver proved finding the three defendants in the back yard of the complainant, and when questioned by him each of the boys laid it on one another. - Sarah Griffiths, living' next door to the complainant, said that she heard the window broken, and saw the boys within ten yards off. - They were each fined 2s. 6d., and ordered to pay 3s.6d each, the damage of the window. |
| 6 August 1878 A report of the crime that sent him to Saltley is in the Staffordshire Sentinel Tuesday 7 August 1878 p.3 col.2: A Young Thief. - George Lawton, eleven years of age, was charged with having stolen two iron grids, of the value of 3s., the property of Miss Catherine Hall, Ashfield House. - The evidence showed that the grids were stolen from the carriage drive, on the 29th ult., and Richard Harding, Miss Hall's gardener, gave information to the police. - On the 2nd inst. prisoner offered the grids for sale at the marine store shop of Michael O'Brien. Having received information of the theft, O'Brien communicated with the police. - Superintendent Blyth said the prisoner was one of a gang of boys who had committed many depredations in the borough. The boy was much neglected by his parents and had been twice convicted. - The Bench thought the best thing that could be done for the lad was to commit him to gaol for two months, after which to go to a reformatory until he is sixteen years old. |
| 2 July 1881 2 cuts upon the hand and 2 days in the cell upon bread and water diet |
| 7 July 1881 6 strokes upon the hand for fighting |
| 29 July 1881 Stealing soup from the kitchen and beans from the garden. 10 stripes upon the posterior with a cane and 3 days in the cell |
| 29 August 1881 There is a brief report of his father being before the court for non-payment of maintenance in the Staffordshire Sentinel Monday 29 August 1881 p.3 col.5:INDUSRTIAL SCHOOL ARREARS. - George Lawton, sweep, was summoned to show cause why he should not contribute a weekly sum of 2s to the support of a boy of his who had been sent to an industrial school. Defendant pleaded poverty, but was ordered to pay all arrears forthwith. |
| 29 October 1881 Absconded at 6 o'clock. Has been accused during the day of stealing a swede turnip / 3 November 1881 Recaptured at Church Street, Butt Lane, ..teth(?) Hill, by Stoke on Trent / 7 November 1881 Sentenced by Mr Kynnersley to 3 months hard labour in the House of Correction, Birmingham |
| 6 February 1881 Re-admitted from H M P Birmingham |
| 4 May 1882 Leaves this day by the doctor's orders. He will never be strong again, in fact the doctor says he will most likely die in 6 months. His parents now live at Church Street, Butts Lane, Stoke on Trent |
| 29 May 1882 Dies whilst at home with parents (see Disposal and Discharge Book) |