Metropolitan Police Act 1839

LXXVII If Penalty is not paid the Offender maybe committed.

And be it enacted, That in every Case of the Adjudication of a pecuniary Penalty or Amends under this Act, and Nonpayment thereof, it shall be lawful for the Magistrate to commit the Offender to any Gaol or House of Correction within his Jurisdiction for a Term not more than One Calendar Month, where the Sum to be paid shall not exceed Five Pounds, the Imprisonment to cease on Payment of the Sum due; and the Costs for the Recovery thereof, and so much of every such pecuniary Penalty as shall not be awarded to the Informer or other Persons who have contributed to the Conviction, shall be paid to the Receiver of the Metropolitan Police for the Purposes of this Act; and the Residue thereof, under the Direction of the Magistrate by whom the same shall have been adjudged, shall be paid and applied either to the Use of the Informer alone or to the Use of such Persons as shall have contributed to the Conviction of the Offender, in such Shares and Proportions as such Magistrate shall think fit.