§ MR. CAREW (Kildare, N.) (for Mr. BRUNNER) (Cheshire, Northwich)asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether he is aware that, at the Potty Sessions of Middlewich, Cheshire, on Wednesday 24th August, John M'Convent, a young Irish lad, who had come from County Antrim in search 1128 of work, but had failed to secure more than five days' work, was sentenced to 21 days' imprisonment with hard labour for bogging; whether the policeman who brought the charge stated in his evidence that, whilst in plain clothes, he told the prisoner that there was no police just about there; and, whether the punishment may be in part remitted?
THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. STUART-WORSLEY) (Sheffield, Hallam)(who replied) said: The Secretary of State has received a Report from the Justices on this case. The prisoner, who is 25 years old, had been previously convicted of a similar offence a fortnight before, sentenced to 14 days' imprisonment, and cautioned not to offend again. A plain clothes constable whom he met on the road told him no police lived near there; but cautioned him not to beg, as he would be apprehended. He was not destitute, as a silver watch and 1d. were found upon him. He appeared to the magistrates to be a regular vagrant; and as they informed the Secretary of State that professional tramps abound in this neighbourhood and commit frequent depredations the Secretary of State must decline to advise any interference.