John Drinkworth, twelve months’ imprisonment and hard labour.
James Rhodes, nine months’ imprisonment and hard labour.
John Storey, Frederick Mason, and Thomas Salter, six months’ imprisonment and hard labour.
John Taplow, for the same offence (who pleaded guilty), one month’s imprisonment and hard labour.
John Smith, William Clift, and Thomas King, were discharged on entering into their own recognizances in 40l. each to appear and receive judgment when called upon.
John Collins and William Lovett were then brought up and asked why the court should not pronounce sentence upon them for the misdemeanour of which they had been convicted?
Mr. Lovett addressed the Court:—Because, in the first place, he was convinced that the jury were prejudiced against him. He had it from very good authority that several of them declared their express wish that all the Chartists should be hanged. That, he submitted, was a very good reason for a lenient sentence. His lordship would also take into consideration the evidence on the trial, and the proof of the facts set forth in the placard, combined with the prejudiced feelings of the jury—circumstances which ought to weigh much in the present case.
Mr. Justice Littledale then addressed the prisoners. They stood severally convicted of having published a seditious libel. He had taken all the circumstances of the case into his serious consideration. John Collins had received a good character, and the jury, on that account, had recommended him to mercy. In Lovett’s case, the jury did not so recommend. At the same time he observed, that Lovett had received a very good character, and though the jury had not recommended him to the merciful consideration of the court, he would not on that account make any difference in their sentence. The sentence of the court was, that they be severally imprisoned in the common jail of this county for one year.
They applied to be imprisoned on the debtors’ side; but the learned judge said he had not the power to make such an order.
The business of the assize was then closed.