HC Deb 29 November 1962 vol 668 cc86-7W
50. Mr. Awbery

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about the circumstances, details of which have been sent to him, under which Mr. C. P. Reidy, of Bristol, was detained in prison for eight weeks awaiting sentence after his conviction by the Newcastle-undeLyme magistrates; if he will reimburse the extra expenses this man has had to incur in travelling to the extra court hearing that has been ordered; and if he will order an inquiry into all aspects of this case.

Mr. Brooke

This man was convicted on 18th October, at Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Magistrates' Court, of certain offences, to which he had pleaded guilty, and was committed in custody to the Staffordshire Quarter Sessions for sentence. On 15th November, when he appeared before the Staffordshire Quarter Sessions, the court decided that it had no jurisdiction to deal with the case, as the committal for sentence to a court other than the Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Quarter Sessions was invalid. I understand that the justices committed Mr. Reidy to the Staffordshire Quarter Sessions because the Newcastle-under-Lyme Quarter Sessions was not expected to be held until January next and they wished to save him an unduly long time in custody before sentence; in doing so, they overlooked the fact that Section 15 of the Criminal Justice Administration Act, 1962, which would have permitted them to do this, is not yet in force.

In the afternoon of 15th November, Mr. Reidy was again brought before the Borough Magistrates' Court, which granted him legal aid and remanded him on bail for one week to enable him to instruct solicitors. He finally appeared before the magistrates' court on 22nd November, when they decided to impose sentence themselves, as they had power to do, and he was placed on probation for two years.

I have no reason to believe that Mr. Reidy has suffered any hardship which would justify payment from public funds of any expenses which he may have incurred in travelling to and from Newcastle-under-Lyme Magistrates' Court on 22nd November, and I do not think that the circumstances of the case call for any further inquiry.