HC Deb 19 July 1887 vol 317 cc1344-5
MR. PICKERSGILL (Bethnal Green, S.W.)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether his attention had been drawn to the decision of the Middlesex Magistrates on Saturday, quashing the conviction of Mr. Williams, who, along with six other defendants, were sentenced by Mr. De Rutzen, on the 27th April, at the Marylebone Police Court, to six months' imprisonment, with hard labour, on a charge of assaulting the police in the execution of their duty; whether Mr. De Rutzen then stated that the sentence was— Wholly inadequate in the case of Williams, whom he designated as the leader, and the person most to blame; whether Mr. Williams on Saturday called witnesses who "described the police as having been very rough indeed;" whether he is aware that the other defendants, or several of them, were prevented from appealing by their poverty and inability to obtain bail, which Mr. De Rutzen refused to reduce; and, whether, in all the circumstances of the case, he will at once order the release of all the defendants who are now in prison?

THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. MATTHEWS) (Birmingham, E.)

I am now in communication with Mr. De Rutzen, and have asked for a Report on this case with reference to the recent decision of the Middlesex Magistrates. When I receive it I will communicate it to the hon. Member.

MR. PICKERSGILL

inquired when he might expect a reply?

MR. MATTHEWS

said, in the course of a few days.

MR. PICKERSGILL

said, it was a very pressing case.