§ 24. Colonel BURNasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that a young soldier in the Irish Guards, named George Osbourne, being a first offender, was recently sentenced by the Westminster stipendiary to the maximum penalty, in summary jurisdiction, of three months' 1858 hard labour for the theft of a blanket, value 6s.; whether, as attention has been directed recently to other sentences passed in this Court, he will communicate with the stipendiary and direct his special attention to the recent Home Office circular dealing with first offenders and the Probation of Offenders Act; and whether he is prepared to advise a reduction of this maximum sentence, and to order in the meantime the removal of Osbourne to the second division?
§ Mr. ELLIS GRIFFITHMy right hon. Friend has made inquiry into the facts of the case, and finds no sufficient reason for recommending any interference with the sentence. The magistrate who passed it was not unmindful of the Probation of Offenders Act, and, in fact, availed himself of the Act to discharge a girl of eighteen who was charged jointly with Osbourne, and who was shown to have been coerced by his threats.
§ Colonel BURNDoes not the hon. Gentleman think it far better to carry out the instructions of the Home Office in the spirit as well as the letter, and not to send a young soldier back to his regiment with the stigma of gaol on him?
§ Mr. ELLIS GRIFFITHIf the hon. Gentleman would consult me in this case there are facts which would quite satisfy him.