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  I am unsure when Vic was born but according to my research it was in 1861 that murder became the only offence for which the death penalty was used in peacetime. For that crime the judges were, however, bound to impose it, and the juries could only add a recommendation for mercy for the Home Secretary and the Court of Criminal Appeal to consider when the conviction was being appealed against. In 1868, a notable reform was made when the gallows were placed inside prison walls, inaccessible to the public. During the war treason was used but have I have failed to find any reference to the 'carrying of the gun offence' to which Vic alludes to above.
  
  Here is the definitive list of offences during 'Vics lifetime'
  
  any murder done in the course of or furtherance of theft;
  any murder by shooting or by causing an explosion;
  any murder done in the course or for the purpose of resisting or avoiding or preventing a lawful arrest, or of effecting or assisting an escape or rescue from legal custody;
  any murder of a police officer acting in the execution of his duty or of a person assisting a police officer so acting;
  in the case of a person who was a prisoner at the time when he did or was party to the murder, any murder of a prison officer acting in the execution of his duty or of a person assisting a prison officer so acting;
  two or more murders on different occasions (Duff 1961:184).
  
  In fact the death penalty had a detrimental effect as juries would often err on the side of caution and a 'reasonable doubt' and not find the accused guilty for fear of the death penalty being imposed ... so it failed to continue as a deterrent.
  
  Vic this is such an important issue that one must get ones facts right before spouting forth and not look at history through your 'rose tinted glasses'!
  
  I am against the death penalty.

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