I move amendment No. 282 :—
In sub-paragraph (ii), lines 47 and 48, to delete " may, whether it convicts him of the offence or not " and substitute " and convicted may ".
This is a little more than a drafting amendment. If a man makes away with an article of uniform, he is guilty of an offence. Under this section the court, " by which he is tried " may order the accused to pay the value of the article whether he is convicted or acquitted. I do not think that is right and have put in " the court by which he is tried and convicted." It is contrary to the principles of justice that a man who is acquitted should be ordered to pay the value of a particular article. If he is charged and acquitted, that should be the end of it. It would be a very bad principle of law for the district justice to say : " I acquit you but order you to pay £2 to the Department of Defence."