13. Mr. ERNEST WINTERTONasked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the case of William Arthur Hudson, who, on 20th July, was sentenced at Nuneaton Police Court to 28 days' hard labour for stealing a reading glass value sixpence; whether there were other charges or previous convictions against the prisoner; and whether he will review this case with a view to the reduction of the sentence?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Short)Hudson had attracted attention by his suspicious movements at various shops, and was seen to take the reading glass and place it in his pocket with other articles which he had purchased. He has seven previous convictions of which two were for theft, and on another occasion a charge of theft was dealt with under the Probation of Offenders Act. In the present case he pleaded guilty, and my right hon. Friend regrets he can find no ground for advising any remission of the sentence passed on him.
Mr. WINTERTONHas not this man expiated his previous offences by the sentences previously passed without being sentenced to a month for stealing 6d.?
Mr. WINTERTONIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the man, although pleading guilty, said he would appeal against the severity of the sentence?