HC Deb 25 June 1883 vol 280 cc1408-9
MR. BROADHURST

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether his attention has been called to a report in the "Kentish Express" of the 9th inst. of a prosecution at Wingham Petty Sessions against the Rev. Wm. Delmar, of Elmstone, and his coachman, for gross cruelty to a horse; and, whether he is aware that, although the cruelty was fully proved against both defendents, the bench of magistrates dismissed both cases; and, if so, whether there are any means by which such failures of justice can be remedied?

SIR WILLIAM HARCOURT

, in reply, said, he had received a letter from the magistrates on this case, in which they said that, after full consideration, they decided that the charge had not been proved against the clergyman, and accordingly they dismissed it. The summons against the coachman was withdrawn by the prosecuting parties. Looking at the circumstances, he could not see any proof that there had been a failure of justice.