1858: 21 & 22 Victoria c.47: An Act to amend the Law of False Pretences.
[23d July 1858.]
WHEREAS it is expedient to amend the Law relating to False Pretences: Be it enacted by the Queen’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the Authority of the same, as follows:
[Any Person obtaining Signature to Bill of Exchange &c. by False Pretences deemed guilty of Misdemeanor.]
I. If any Person shall by any False Pretence obtain the Signature of any other Person to any Bill of Exchange, Promissory Note, or any valuable Security, with Intent to cheat or defraud, every such Offender shall be guilty of a Misdemeanor, and being convicted thereof shall be liable, at the Discretion of the Court, to be sentenced to Penal Servitude for the Term of Four Years, or to suffer such other Punishment by Fine or Imprisonment, or by both, as the Court shall award.