The Sun.
London, England, 1861-09-20 00:00:00

BOW-STREET.

Samuel Cooke, lately employed as keeper of the Com-
missionaire Barracks, Exchange-court, Strand, was placed
at the bar on remand, charged with embezzling three sums
of money received by him for work performed by members
of the corps.

On the former occasion prisoner was remanded for the
attendance of Captain Walter, from whom he said he had
received authority to spend what money he required.

Captain Walker said—l have command of the Corps of
Commissionaires. The prisoner entered the corps, and
shortly after he was entrusted, during temporary absence
of Sergeant-Major Platt, with receiving money, which he
would afterwards have to account either to myself or Platt.
I find he has received three sums of money which he has
not at all accounted for.

Sergeant Murphy—The money received by the prisoner
was for the delivery of circulars.

Captain Walter—Those sums ought to have been paid
over to Sergeant Platt.

Mr. Henry—Has he accounted to you for the money so
received ?

Captain Walter—He has not, and I can't find any entry
of those three items ever having been paid in. The pri-
soner was allowed the basement of the barracks rent free,
and received a small fee from each man. He received from
that source about eleven shillings, and seven shillings a
week for extra duty. He was without the slightest doubt
a paid servant. He received the seven shillings a week for
the office duty he performed. He had other privileges,
which altogether gave him a very good salary.
Prisoner—Did you not give me authority to spend what
money I required, and did you not lend me £lO to go on
with.

Captain Walker certainly not. I lent you £lO to enable
you to take the barracks of Sergeant Davis.
Prisoner—l've paid the £lO into the Westminster Bank.

Captain Walter—You have paid that sum in as rent. If
not, then you have paid no rent at all, and there is about L 25
due from you on that account.

Mr. Henry (to prisoner)—The charge against you is for
receiving three sums of money, and not accounting for
them to Sergeant Murphy.
Prisoner—l say they are all entered, but not in Murphy's
book. Capt. Walter gave me authority to spend whatever
money I required.

Mr. Henry—Capt. Walter distinctly states he did nothing
of the sort. The authority you was had to spend barrack
money for necessaries, but that was a totally distinct thing
from money received from customers for duties performed.
Prisoner—ls it at all likely that I, a wounded soldier,
with is. 3d. per diem, should abscond for a small sum of
money? Why, it would not have been worth my while to
do so for £lOO. It would have been an act of madness.
Mr. Henry—There's no doubt you did abscond. And as
to the questions you ask me, you can put them to the jury.
Prisoner—l went away for the day. I did not abscond.
Captain Walter had gone into the country, and as there
was a dispute, I knew it would be of no use speaking to
anybody until he returned.

Captain Walter—l did not go into the country until after
you absconded.

Mr. Blandford, cashier to Mr. Metchim, of Parliament-
street, proved the payment of on the 22d of July.
Mr. Henry—There is no entry of the sum in any book.
Sergeant Platt—Nothing of the kind.
Prisoner—All I can say is, that is all the money I have
received.

Police-constable 49 F—When I apprehended the pri-
soner he said he was sorry he left the barracks. That he
was getting drunk and did not like to return.
Prisoner—l deny absconding; and as for the sums in
dispute, I will pay them by instalments. I never intended
to embezzle any money.
The prisoner was fully committed for trial.