HC Deb 07 April 1884 vol 286 cc1790-1
MR. MACFARLANE

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, If his attention has been called to a case tried at the Thames Police Court, in which a man named Joseph Dennis was found guilty of an assault upon a woman named Norah Driscoll, which is described as follows in the newspapers of the 2nd April: — For the last three months he had been following her about, and had frequently ill-used her, but she had never prosecuted him. About half-past seven o'clock on the evening of the 17th she was walking along Brunswick Street, when he struck her in the right eye and knocked her down. While on the ground he lifted her head up by the hair and dashed it on the pavement, and kicked her on the left side. She became unconscious, and was discovered in that condition by a policeman. At Poplar Hospital it was found that two of her ribs were bent in. Mr. Saunders fined the prisoner ten shillings and ten shillings compensation; and, if he proposes to amend the Law relating to brutal assaults?

SIR WILLIAM HARCOURT

Sir, I am not aware that there is any defect in the law. The Judges and magistrates have power to inflict severe sentences in cases of brutal assault; but, of course, they are not compelled to do so, unless they feel themselves called upon to take that course. Of course, when a sentence is passed, I have no power to over-rule their discretion by saying that a magistrate or Judge should inflict higher sentences than he thinks right. I have, however, communicated with Mr. Saunders with reference to this case, and he says that the newspaper report is sensational and inaccurate, and does not at all give a true account of what occurred; and that, under all the facts of the case, he thought the sentence which he passed was sufficient. I cannot, therefore, take any steps in the matter.

MR. MACFARLANE

gave Notice that, when the Bill for Cruelty to Animals came to be considered in Committee, he should move that women be included in the Bill.

MR. RITCHIE

asked whether numerous complaints had not been made of the lightness of the sentences passed by Mr. Saunders?

SIR WILLIAM HAECOURT

That is certainly not a Question which ought to be put to me without Notice.

MR. MACFARLANE

said, that, as the case appeared in the newspaper report, it amounted to a public scandal; and he, therefore, asked that the magistrate's own version might be made public, so that it might be seen in what respect the reports were inaccurate.

SIR WILLIAM HARCOURT

That is the case with a great many newspaper reports, I regret to say. I cannot undertake what the hon. Member asks for. I have been in communication with the magistrate, and I do not think this is a case which ought to occupy the time of the House any further.