The Sun.
London, England, 1859-01-06 00:00:00

SINGULAR CHARGE OF STEALING A COW.

Thomas Turner Molyneaux, 39, described in the
calendar as an agent, was indicted for stealing a
cow, value £l2, the property of the Rev. Stephen
Terry, of Du mmer, near Basingstoke.
Mr. Sharp prosecuted, and Mr. Lilley, instructed
by Mr. Neale, defended the prisoner.
✓ The prosecutor, it appeared, advertised in
the early part of last month the sale of two
cows, and received in answer a letter from
E. B. Somerset, York-road, Lambeth, request-
ing that one of the cows might be forwarded
to him by rail, and that on its reaching the Lon-
don terminus a banker's cheque for the amount
would be returned. The cow was forwarded as
directed, and taken away by a person named
Goodson, residing in Brick-lane, Whitechapel, who
said he did so by the orders of another man in the
presence of the prisoner—that he paid the railway
carriage, and lent the other man £5. Mr. Terry
did not receive the banker's cheque as promised—
on the contrary, he found that he had fallen into
the hands of accomplished swindlers, and having
given information to the police, the prisoner was
apprehended. At the time of his apprehension
several letters addressed to "E. B. Somerset, 143,
York-road, Lambeth," were found on him, and from
these and others since received at the same place,
it was evident the prisoner and his associates had
contemplated an extensive system of fraud, and his
seasonable capture had saved one gentleman in the
Isle of Wight 20 gold and silver pheasants,
another gentleman a quantity of wool, a third a
valuable pony and chaise, and the fourth a bull of
the value of 35 guineas.

The reverend prosecutor was examined by Mr.
Sharp—He said that in the early part of last month
he had two cows for sale, and he advertised them
in a country paper, referring to his bailiff, George
Stroad, of Bummer. In consequence of that he re-
ceived a letter (produced), signed " A. G. Somerset,
York-road, Lambeth,".offering to purchase one for
£l2, and promising to send the amount, by banker's
cheque, on receipt of the cow. On the Bth of De-
cember the cow was sent to London, but neitker
cheque nor money had been received. Three letters
passed between them, in one of which a reference
was made to Mr. A. C. Gurney, 66, Cheapside, but
on inquiry afterwards no such person was known
there. The prisoner was afterwards given into
custody, when he admitted that the letters were in
his handwriting.
On cross-examination by Mr. Lilley, witness said
that in consequence of these letters he sold the cow:
The Chairman here said there was an end of the
case. It appeared a bona fide sale.
The jury accordingly acquitted the prisoner.
ROBBERY AT A RAILWAY STATION.

Robert Rudrum, 20, was indicted for stealing a
clock from the London, Brighton and South Coast
Railway Station at Annerley.
William Lee, a porter at the Annerley•station,
said that on the 12th ultimo he was on duty at the
station, when he heard a noise in the parcels office.
He went to the window and saw the prisoner lying
on the counter in the act of pulling something out.
Witness immediately entered, and caught hold of
the prisoner, when he said some persons had put
him there for a lark. He had pulled a clock out of
a drawer about two feet, and attempted to mike
his escape.
James Smith, 276 P, said he saw the prisoner
and two others loitering about the Annerley station
a short time previous. On being called in to take
him into custody he discovered that he climbed over
the partition and got access to the parcels office.
The prisoner told him he wanted to get a ticket.
In defence Mr. Charnock said that his client was
drunk, and had made a mistake. He merely went
into the place to sleep.
The jury found him Guilty, and a former convic-
tion having been proved he was sentenced to twelve
months' hard labour.