Broadside entitled 'Trials For Rape &C of D. Dobie, J. Thomson, and D. Bertie, Before the High Court of Justiciary. --July 12 and 14'

Commentary

This report begins: 'A full true and particular account of the Trial of, and Sentence upon, the great Gilmerton Criminals, David Dobie and John Thomson, for the Violation, Robbery and Murder of Margaret Paterson, in a way as cruel, barbarous and inhuman, as makes the heart of the most obdurate melt with piety, and the very blood freeze with horror.' The sheet was published by Forbes and Owen of Edinburgh and cost one penny.

The first section of this broadside forms part of a sequence of broadsides dedicated to a terrible rape and murder that took place near Gilmerton, by Edinburgh. This newspaper-like broadside brings together the content of four previous broadsides on the same subject, and adds drama to the topic by moving between the courthouse and 'the condemned cell'. The second part of this broadside informs readers about other trials that have been taking place, including another rape trial and some thefts.

Reports recounting dark and salacious deeds were popular with the public, and, like today's sensationalist tabloids, sold in large numbers. Crimes could generate sequences of sheets covering descriptive accounts, court proceedings, last words, lamentations and executions as they occurred. As competition was fierce, immediacy was paramount, and these occasions provided an opportunity for printers and patterers to maximise sales.

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