John William Griffiths - Saltley Reformatory Inmate
| No. in Admissions Register: | 979 |
| Age: | 15 |
| Whence received: | H M Prison Stafford |
| Description: | |
| Complexion: | Fresh |
| Hair colour: | Red |
| Eyes colour: | Blue |
| Height: | 4 ft 8½ ins |
| Particular marks: | Left leg the shortest, abcess mark small of back |
| State of health: | Yes |
| Able-bodied? | - |
| Date of admission: | 23 November 1891 |
| Late residence: | Lower Green, Newcastle under Lyme |
| Parish he belongs to: | Newcastle under Lyme |
| Customary work and mode of life: | None |
| Whether illegitimate: | No |
| State of education: | |
| Reads: | Imperfectly, Standard 3 |
| Writes: | Imperfectly |
| Offence: | Stealing 2 tins of lobster |
| Circumstances which may have led to it: | - |
| Date of sentence, by whom and court: | 24 October 1891; E H Croydon and R Mosley; Newcastle under Lyme Police Court |
| Where imprisoned: | H M Prison Stafford |
| Sentence: | 1 month hard labour, 5 years at Saltley |
| Previous committals: | |
| Number: | 2 |
| Length: | 1) Fined 1s and costs; 2) fined 5s and costs |
| For what: | 1) Wilful damage; 2) larceny |
| Father's name: | Jesse Cooper (step-father) |
| Occupation: | Sawyer |
| Mother's name: | Harriet Cooper |
| Occupation: | - |
| Parents dead? | Father |
| Survivor married again? | Yes |
| Parents' treatment of child: | - |
| Character of parents | Reported "good" by police |
| Parents' wages: | 16s per week |
| Amount parents agree to pay: | - |
| Parents address: | Lower Green, Newcastle under Lyme |
| Superintendent of police (to collect payments): | - |
| Person making this return: | - |
| Notes: | |
| Brother to Joseph (boy 1100) - to see his record click here | |
| 31 October 1891 There is a brief report of the crime in the Staffordshire Advertiser Saturday 31 October 1891 p.7 col.3: PROPER SUBJECTS FOR A REFORMATORY. - John Thomas, 11, John Griffiths, 13, and George Swanwick, 13. were charged with having stolen on the previous day two tins of lobster and a tin of salmon from the shop of Thomas Rhodes, grocer. West Brampton. All three lads had been previously convicted of theft, and, the present charge being proved, they were committed to gaol for a month, and ordered to be then sent to a reformatory for five years. | |
| 23 November 1894 The Register of Boys on Licence records that Griffiths was licensed to go out and work for Mr Hammersley, 49 High Street, Longton | |
| 22 November 1896 Sentence expired whilst on licence, discharged from Saltley | |
| 8 December 1896 The Reformatory Committee Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Griffiths, Newcastle under Lyme | |
| 8 February 1898 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Griffiths, Newcastle under Lyme. (Acknowledgement of trousers and boots sent by Superintendent [head of Saltley] on the approval of Lord Norton. Is a very lame boy, and in my opinion unsuitable for Canada. Taught tailoring here, and well able to get his own living at his trade) | |
| 13 June 1899 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Griffiths, Newcastle under Lyme | |
| 10 October 1899 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Griffiths, Newcastle under Lyme | |
