§ MR. S. HOARE (Norwich)asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether his attention has been called to a sentence of six months' imprisonment, passed at the Norwich Guildhall, on Georgiana Howes, for obtaining money under false pretences; and, whether he is prepared to consider the circumstances of the case, with the view of deciding whether or not the sentence was unduly severe?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. MATTHEWS) (Birmingham, E.)I have carefully considered all the circumstances of this case, and have obtained a Report from the Justices. There 299 were three distinct charges proved against Georgiana Howes; and it appeared in the course of the case that in several other cases she had been obtaining money from charitable persons for some months by false and fraudulent pretences. The magistrates were, therefore, justified in dealing with her severely as an habitual begging impostor; but, upon the whole, I think the ends of justice will be served by a shorter term of imprisonment. The magistrates are not opposed to this view; and I shall, therefore, advise Her Majesty to remit the second period of three months' imprisonment to which the woman was sentenced.