§ MR. L. L. COHEN (Paddington, N.)asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether his attention has been called to the following case, reported to have occurred at Dulverton, West Somerset, last week:—
A woman named Sarah Ann Blackmore, aged thirty-four, was charged before Messrs. J. A. and C. R. Locke with stealing turnips valued at fourpence, the property of Mrs. Hannah Fisher, butcher, of Dulverton. The woman, who was stated to be in want, was sentenced to twelve months' imprisonment with hard labour;and, whether, if the circumstances are correctly reported, he will take steps with a view to the mitigation of the sentence?
THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. CHILDERS) (Edinburgh, S.), in reply, said, he had considered the case referred to by the hon. Member, and that he felt justified, under the circumstances, in advising a remission of the sentence by 11 months; so that she would be discharged on Thursday next.