| No. in Admissions Register: | 648 |
| Age: | 14 |
| Whence received: | H M Prison Stafford |
| Description: | |
| Complexion: | - |
| Hair colour: | - |
| Eyes colour: | - |
| Visage: | - |
| Particular marks: | - |
| State of health: | - |
| Able-bodied? | - |
| Date of admission: | 6 September 1880 |
| Late residence: | Hanley, Staffordshire |
| Parish he belongs to: | Hanley |
| Customary work and mode of life: | Barman at a hotel |
| Whether illegitimate: | No |
| State of education: | |
| Reads: | Imperfectly |
| Writes: | Imperfectly |
| Offence: | Stealing money |
| Circumstances which may have led to it: | = |
| Date of sentence, by whom and court: | 3 August 1880; B Boothroyd and J Warner; Hanley Summary Court of Summary Jurisdiction |
| Where imprisoned: | H M Prison Stafford |
| Sentence: | 1 month in prison, 4 years at Saltley |
| Previous committals: | |
| Number: | None |
| Length: | - |
| For what: | - |
| Father's name: | William Lawton |
| Occupation: | Artificial fruit maker |
| Mother's name: | Elizabeth Lawton |
| Occupation: | - |
| Parents dead? | Neither |
| Survivor married again? | - |
| Parents' treatment of child: | Good |
| Character of parents | Honest, not very sober, health not very good |
| Parents' wages: | 20s per week |
| Amount parents agree to pay: | Offers 1s 6d per week |
| Parents address: | William Lawton, 2 Mersey Street, Hanley |
| Superintendent of police (to collect payments): | Herbert Windle, Hanley |
| Person making this return: | - |
31 July 1880 There is a good report of the crime in the Staffordshire Sentinel and Commercial and General Advertiser 31 July 1880 p.6 col.3: Extensive Robberies from Licensed Premises. - Samuel Lawton, an apprentice to Mr. Anthony Warrillow, landlord the Dolphin, was charged with stealing 2s. 2d., the money of his employer; and two respectably-dressed youths, named Thomas Kearns, saggar maker, Etruria-road and Frederick Bates, fireman, Rose-street, Northwood, were charged with inciting the before-mentioned prisoner to commit thefts.-Mr. Richardson (instructed by Mr. Sword) was for the prosecution; and Mr. Paine defended Kearns and Bates. - The prosecution proposed to take the cases separately, so that who, it was understood would plead guilty, could be put in the box and give evidence against the other two prisoners. Lawton, it was said, was a very intelligent, sharp boy, but unfortunately some months ago, under a pretext which the two other prisoners made to him to the effect that they were very hard up, was induced first of all to supply them with drink without charging for it, and very shortly afterwards he also commenced the practice of not only plying them with beer but with money, Lawton alleges that having once committed himself the prisoners held him in terrorem, and for fear of exposure had been to some extent coerced to continue in the practice. The thing had been going on to such a length that he (Mr. Richardson) should think the prosecutor must have been robbed of £100. The prosecutor stated that the prisoner Lawton been an apprentice to him for two years, and it was his duty to serve the customers behind the bar, and never to supply drink credit. About eight months age, from something made known to him, his suspicion was aroused as to the honesty of the boy. As a consequence he had a conversation with him and prisoner then admitted that he had served a person with drink, and when the individual had offered payment had given his money back and besides. The boy, however, appealed to be forgiven, and he (witness) forgave him. On the 9th of the present month, from something else told him by a man named Spilsbury respecting the prisoner, he had Lawton given into custody. - lnspector Wall said that in consequence of a statement made to him by Lawton he arrested the other two prisoners. When the three were together he charged with stealing 2s., which he admitted; and when he informed Keams and Bates that they would be charged with inciting Lawton to commit theft, Kearns said he had had no money from Lawton, but he had had drink. Bites made no reply Witness said to Lawton, "You have made a statement to me about prisoners' receiving moneys from you several times a day during the last twelve months; is it true?" and the reply was "Yes." - The case was remanded until next Tuesday for the attendance of.Spilsbury, who had been subpcenaed, but did not appear, and for whose apprehension a warrant was now issued.
The following week there was a very lengthy report in the Staffordshire Sentinel Wednesday 4 August 1880 p.3 col.4 of the trial of Kearns and Bates at which Lawton was a witness and received his sentence, which sent him to Saltley
29 May [no year given] 6 strokes on the hands for handling another boy in an indecent manner
1 November 1883 Licensed to Mr Gilman of Hanley
3 August 1896 Lawton paid a visit to the school today. Is still with Mr Gilman, tailor and hosier, Victoria House, Market Square, Hanley
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