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Crime: Courts will get
more power
-2 MAY 1973. GO
By JOHN SPAREY
Far-reaching powers for magistrates are to be introduced to back Hongkong's big anti-crime campaign to be launched in June.
Among them will be the ability to sentence to a caning those convicted of carrying offensive weapons.
Details of the campaign are expected to be announced by the Governor, Sir Murray MacLchose, on May 7, and are almost certain to include the introduction of the controversial preventive detention sentence.
Under
this kind
of
can be held at Her Majesty's pleasure after serving the jail 'term passed by the court.
It was abandoned in Britain in 1967.
There it was used for "old lag" criminals who had received three jail terms but in Hongkong it may be used for first offenders if the circumstances warrant it.
Change
Under the campaign
punishment a convicted person magistrates will now be able to
pass jail sentences of up to four years, instead of the present restriction of three years.
"Talk about security!
K.C. TSANG
security
South China
Morning Fost
-3 MAY 1973 S.C.MP
There is certainly no fax
at the Crime. Prevention Exhibition which opens at the City Hall
tomorrow.
to
Reporters wishing cover the opening of the Exhibition by Police Commissioner Charles Sutcliffe had to apply four days in advance, then were
And District Court judges will be able to pass seven-year jail terms, instead of a maximum of five years at present.
There may also be a change in the law governing people convicted of carrying offensive weapons.
At present courts must sentence such offenders to six months in jail.
Under the campaign re- organisation courts will apparently be given four alternative sentences including caning.
issued with the 1.D. badges shown above.
One
colleague commented: "Why on earth the police should be worried about criminals trying to gatecrash the opening of an anti-crime exhibition by the Commissioner of Police is a complete wonder to me.”
And. probably, to the criminals, as well.
Tough new anti-crime laws soon
The Government is preparing to introduce another series of tougher laws to fight crime in Hongkong.
The Attorney-General. Mr D. T. E. Roberts, is expected to introduce the Bills in Legislative Council next week.
This is in line with Mr Roberts' long range plan to combat violent crime - outlined when he spoke to Legislative Councillors in November last
year.
He then described the new measures as "Phase II" of the
includes plan which
the introduction of a system of preventive detention to remove habitual criminals for long periods, compulsory corporal punishment and minimum sentences for robbery or serious assaults.
The first phase of Mr Roberts' plan includes the introduction of a mandatory sentence of six months. or detention order, for those found with offensive weapons, the increase of the maximum sentence from two to three years and wider powers for police to stop and search suspicious persons.
The new measures. wher brought before Legislative Councü, are certain to provoke considerable comment from some members of the legal profession who had opposed heavy prison sentences as an effective deterrent.
The measures will coincide with Hongkong's Anti-Crime Campaign in June, which is already gaining widespread support from businessmen and other residents.
3 MAY 1973 S.C.P