TNAG-0681-FCO40-830-Review-of-death-sentences-passed-on-members-of-UK-armed-forc-1977 — Page 42

A

B

C

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on 28th June 1977

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MEMORANDUM FOR EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

DEATH SENTENCES PASSED ON DONALD DAVID BASSETT AND GEORGE WILLIAM PUTTOCK

15

On 30th July 1976 Donald David BASSETT and George William PUTTOCK were convicted of the murder of NG Fai and were sentenced to death. A copy of the trial judge's report on the case is at Annex A,

2

The prisoners' applications for leave to appeal against conviction were heard and dismissed by the Court of Appeal on 10th February 1977.

3

Petitions for clemency have now been submitted through the Headquarters of the British Forces in Hong Kong (Annex B and C).

D

E

F, G

H

4

A note by the Attorney General is at Annex D. Also annexed are reports by the Director of Home Affairs (Annex E), reports by Probation Officers (Annex F and G) and police antecedent statements (Annex H).

5

(a)

Honourable Members will be asked to advise:

(b)

whether the sentences of death should be commuted;

if so, what period of imprisonment should be substituted in each case.

22nd June 1977 (COU 7/2647/76)

COUNCIL CHAMBER

G.S. 84

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