The Express.
London, England, 1860-12-14 00:00:00

THE POLICE COURTS

MANSION•HOIIHE

A dissipated looking man, named William Strickland,
who was stated in the polies-sheet to be 57 years old, was
brought before the Lord Mayor, in custody of Haggett, the
detective officer, charged with feloniously pawing and utter-
ing a cheque for 141., with intent to defraud the manager
of the Unity Joint Stock Bank, Cannonlitreek
The prisoner was recognised u• man who had been tried
at the Old Bailey for attempting to defraud Messrs. Chaplin
and Horse, the carriers, but be was acquitted. The present
offence appeared to have been committed in a very ingenious
manner, and the clerks at the bank exhibited a good aeal of
tact in preventing the prisoner from being suceeseful.
It appeared from the evidence of Mr. Turner, one of the
principal cashiers at the bank, that onWedneeday afternooq
about three o'clock, a Nun came into the bank and presented
a cheque for 14!. at the counter. The cheque purported to
be signed by Mr. Frederick Fletcher, a bah factor in
Blilinguate-market, bat Mr. Turner entertained some us-
piciou that it was not a genuine signature, and he referred
to the books, and found that the number of the cheque
was the same that bed been issued to Mr. Fletcher. lie
still, however, was not satisfied, and he requested Mr. Bean,
another clerk in the bank, to accompany the man to Mr.
Fletcher's and see if the cheque was a genuine one. They
accordingly left for that purpose, and when they got out.
side the prisoner came over to them from the opposite side
of the street and asked what was the matter, and Mr. Bean
informed him that there was some doubt ea to the signature
to the cheque being correct. The prisoner, who seemed to
know the other man, said he knew it was all right, and that
the cheque was signed by Mr. Fletcher, and he could point
out the private nark Mr. Bean at this time was holding
the cheque by the ends with both hands, and the prisoner
suddenly snatched at the middle of the cheque, and tore it
away, leaving, however, that portion which contained the
signature still in the clerk's hand. The other portion
was never discovered, and it was s mystery bow the prisoner
contrived to make away with it, as he was not sees to pat
it in his mouth, or to tux it up, or destroy it in any other
manner. The three then proceeded towards Billiegsgate,
and when they arrived Dear the warehouse of Mums. Deane,
Dray and Co., the roan who had presented the rid
that he hod some business there, and left them, cl=
the
prisoner that he should meet him at " the Gate—meaning
Billiupgate—after he bad seen Mr. Fletcher. The prisoner
then took the clerk to Billinpgate-market, and also to

Mr. Fletcher's place of hominess, in Love-la'ne, but could
not succeed m Boding him, but Mr. Beau at length saw
him, and ascertained that the cheque was a forgery, and the
prisoner was then given into custody.
Mr. Fletcher deposed that be bad examined the portions
of the cheque for 141. that were produced, and be bad
never drawn such a cheque, and the signature to it
wan a forgery. He also stated that be bud known the
prisoner for about six months, and he had employed him
oceasionally to execute commissions for him, and he fru.
queotly came into the oountingbonse where he kept his
theque-book, and Imbed missed four blank cheques from the
book.
The prisoner asked the prosecutor whethcr he had not
sent him to receive money at the bank and other places,
and whether he bad not always acted honestly
The prosecutor replied that he bad no complaint to
make.
Mr. Goodman, to the prosecutor—Then the prisoner
was aware you kept as account with the Unity Bank?
The prosecutor—He woe.
Joseph Huggett, the detective ofßcer, proved that be
received charem of the prisoner ham Mr. Terry, the manager
et ties Unity Bank, and be asked lir to imoouat fur the