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British Service Men, Far East (Corporal Punishment)

Volume 526: debated on Wednesday 7 April 1954

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asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to what extent British Service men in Far East land forces, when tried by civil courts in Hong Kong and Singapore, are subject to sentences of corporal punishment; how many such sentences there have been during the past eight years; the details of the sentences imposed; and how many have been carried out.

British Service men in Far East land forces, when tried by civil courts in Hong Kong and Singapore, are subject to the local laws and are liable to be sentenced to corporal punishment for certain serious crimes for which that punishment may be awarded.The following are details of sentences during the past eight years:

NameCrimeWhen SentencedSentenceWhether Awarded
HONG KONG
Philip MendozaLarceny from the person.December, 1949.6 days' hard labour and 4 strokes of the cane.Corporal punishment rescinded on review of sentence.
Jack Lawton alias Wolf LorenzoRobbery with violence.October, 1953.Each awarded 4 years' hard labour and 24 strokes of the cane.Corporal punishment reduced on appeal to 12 strokes in each case.
Norman HardmanSentence carried out on 6th November, 1953.
SINGAPORE
R. HowlandCausing hurt in attempting to commit robbery.January, 1949.4yrs' rigorous imprisonment and12strokes with a rotan.Yes
J. J. Quinn
3yrs' rigorous imprisonment and12strokes with a rotan.
D. HatcherCausing hurt in committing robbery.December, 1952.4 yrs' rigorous imprisonment and 10 strokes with a rotan.Yes
J. H. Irvine
2 yrs' rigorous imprisonment and l0 strokes with a rotan.