A case of defamation in Shandwick, tailor Andrew Vass was called ‘a thief ‘, ‘a thruster’ and ‘a beggar’, in his own house by John Vass, who was very drunk at the time. John Vass stated ‘ it was the evil spirit within that spoke’ and not him. The tailor agreed with the sheriff he had not suffered damages and the sheriff decided not to give him any, but 15 shillings was required by the court to cover expenses.