HC Deb 05 August 1869 vol 198 cc1368-9

Order for Committee read.

Bill considered in Committee.

(In the Committee.)

SIR GEORGE JENKINSON

moved, after Clause 17, to insert the following clause:— (Criminal after tenth conviction to be treated as an habitual criminal.) Provided always, That any person who shall have been convicted of repeated misdemeanours, may, after the tenth conviction, be deemed guilty of an aggravated misdemeanour, and such person shall be liable to the same punishment as if he were convicted of a felony, and shall be treated as an habitual criminal.

MR. BRUCE

said, the clause certainly deserved consideration, but he would oppose its insertion in the present Bill. As worded it would render any person who had been ten times convicted of drunkenness liable to be treated as an 'habitual criminal.'

Clause negatived.

SIR GEORGE JENKINSON

then proposed another clause, imposing additional punishment for aggravated assaults on the police.

MR. BRUCE

said, he thought that cases of this kind were sufficiently provided for under the existing law.

Clause negatived.

House resumed.

Bill reported, with Amendments; as amended, to be considered To-morrow, at Two of the clock, and to be printed. [Bill 264.]