HC Deb 24 May 1928 vol 217 c2046
14. Mr. MALONE

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the case of Robert Leonard Hobbs, aged 16, who, on 18th May, 1928, was sentenced at the Central Criminal Court to four years' penal servitude; and whether, seeing that the medical officer of Maidstone Prison, where he had been on remand before appearing at the Central Criminal Court, reported that his mentality was not normal, and that he was not sent to Wandsworth Prison to obtain a report from the trained psychologists there before sentence was passed, he will, in view of the special circumstances of this case, reconsider it with a view to the remission of the sentence?

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

I have seen Press reports, and I am looking into the case, but I am not yet in a position to say what, if any, action it will be right for me to take or recommend.

Mr. MALONE

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that it is usual to send first offenders to Borstal?

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

The question of sending offenders to Borstal is a matter for the Judge. I cannot say that it is the usual practice, but it is entirely a matter for the Judge, who takes into consideration very many points beyond those mentioned in the hon. Member's question.

Mr. MALONE

Am I not right in saying that it is usual for mental cases to go to Wandsworth?

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

Very often.