(1833) 2 LJKB 101
King's Bench
A handbill stated that
'whoever would give such information as might lead to a discovery of the murder of Walter Cawardine, should, on conviction, receive a reward of £20.'
At the trial it appeared that although Williams was the person who gave the information which afterwards led to the conviction of the murderer her motive in giving the information was not to gain the reward but rather to ease her conscience. The court held that she was entitled to the reward.
On appeal Cawardine argued that Williams was not entitled to the reward because her motive in giving the information was not to obtain the reward but to ease her conscience.
Littledale J
It is a general promise held out to the population of the country, that whoever should give information which should lead to the conviction of the murderer, should receive a reward. That gives a right of action, and the Court cannot enter into the motives of the party giving that information.