§ 76. Mr. WILLIAM THORNEasked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the case tried at the Maid stone Assizes on Monday, 25th November, before Mr. Justice Channell, for an alleged assault on George Frederick Smith by George Sibley, and sentenced to twelve months' imprisonment with hard labour; whether his attention has been called to the evidence given by Dr. Charles Simmons Bennett, of Erith, and the evidence given by the prosecutor, and the conflicting statements made; and whether, in consequence of the good character of the prisoner, he can see his way clear to reduce the sentence?
§ Mr. McKENNAMy attention had not previously been called to the case, but I am now engaged in looking into it.
§ Mr. W. THORNEWill the right hon. Gentleman keep an open mind on this question, and when he is making inquiries is he prepared to receive the evidence from four of the men who were dismissed in this case, and will he take into consideration the number of cases in which policemen are brutally treated and people never receive more than about two months?
§ Mr. ROWLANDSWill the right hon. Gentleman also inquire into the character of the prisoner before he was convicted?
§ Mr. McKENNAAll those circumstances will be inquired into.