In 1724, Maggie Dickson, a fishwife from Musselburgh, was hanged in Edinburgh’s Grassmarket after being convicted under the Concealment of Pregnancy Act.

The Legal Loophole

Here’s where the story becomes even more striking.

Under Scots law at the time, Maggie’s sentence had technically been fulfilled—she had been executed. Attempting to hang her again would have raised serious legal and ethical questions about double punishment.

Rather than retry or re-execute her, authorities allowed her to live.

This outcome reflects a rigid interpretation of legal finality: