HC Deb 12 August 1859 vol 155 cc1397-8

MR. MELLOR moved an Address to the Crown for a Copy of the conviction of two men named Yates and Lagden, at the last Rutlandshire Quarter Sessions, held on the 30th of June, and of the sentences passed upon them respectively. An account of the conviction of these men appeared in the Stamford Mercury. They were tried at the Rutlandshire Sessions, where there was no bar, and they were described as notorious poachers, and were convicted upon the evidence of an accomplice of stealing about one cwt. of oilcake. Yates, who was 65 years of age, and against whom there was a previous conviction for felony, was sentenced to fifteen years' penal servitude, ard Lagden, who was 25 years of age, was sentenced to ten years' penal servitude. He ventured to say that these were sentences without precedent, for sentences of penal servitude were seldom for a longer period than six years. In sentencing the second prisoner the Chairman observed that, as the bench believed he had been led into the commission of the offence by his elder companion, they would therefore sentence him to ten years' penal servitude. He (Mr. Mellor) could not help thinking that these men had been tried for one offence and punished for another, and he believed that such proceedings on the part of magistrates were calculated to bring not only the game laws but the penal laws generally into odium and disrepute. He hoped some assurance would be given to the House that an inquiry would be made on the subject.

MR. G. CLIVE

said, there would be no objection to the return, and stated that the Home Secretary had taken all the necessary steps to ascertain the facts from the local authorities. He must say that, according to the statement, the sentences seemed almost an enormity. But he hoped there might be some circumstances not within the knowledge of the House which justified the conduct of the magistrates.

Motion agreed to.

Address for, Copy of the Conviction of Yates and Lagden at the last Rutlandshire Quarter Sessions, held on the 30th day of June last; and of the Sentences passed upon them respectively.