Curious Charge of Embezzlement: At the Town Hall, on Wednesday last, before C. H. Monro, Esq., William Cruse was placed at the felon’s bar, charged with embezzling the sum of £25, received by him on account of Mr. John Pinsent, his employer. Mr. Francis prosecuted, and Mr. R. W. Templer appeared on behalf of the prisoner. Mr. Francis stated the case at some length, and called the prosecutor, John Palk (sic) Pinsent, who stated he lived at Newton Bushel, and was a brewer and coal merchant; that the prisoner, William Cruse, came into his service on the 28th July, 1851, to superintend the coal trade, and receive monies for him; be allowed him 4 per cent, on all sums paid; he continued in his employ until the end of last November, when he found out he had received £16 7s. 9d. from Mr. John Way, a baker, of Newton Abbot, £4 8s. 8d. from Mr. Scott, of Lustleigh, and £4 16s. 9d. from Mr. Couch, of Chudleigh Knighton, and 122 different parties besides. Prosecutor had some conversation on the 31st December, 1852, about Mr. Way’s account with the prisoner, who told him the account was all right, that it was not paid, and when he examined the books kept by the prisoner they appeared as if the debt was not paid. He had some conversation with the prisoner on the 1st January 1853, when he came home from prison and went through the ledger account with him, and Mr. Way’s, Mr. Scott’s, and Mr. Couch’s accounts appeared to be due by the ledger. Prosecutor had some conversation about settling up the accounts, and it had not been done. Since he came out of prison the prisoner has never been in a position to pay him the money he had got on his account, which was between £100 and £200 altogether. The prisoner had £35 6d. from him on the 5th January, 1853, as wages on account of his telling him he was hard up. Cross-examined by Mr. Templer: He had occasion to employ the prisoner to collect orders for beer, etc. as well as coals. He entered the money in the book daily. He never refused to go through the ledger and examine the accounts. Never troubled himself to send for him to settle the accounts; he always came. William Holmes, clerk to Mr. Pinsent, stated he made entries in the books, and made himself generally useful at Mr. Pinsent’s brewery. This witness merely corroborated the evidence of Mr. Pinsent. Mr. Way, Mr. Scott, and Mr. Couch whom the prisoner had received monies from, attended to give evidence; and it appears the written instructions or document given to the prisoner by the prosecutor when he entered his service, had not been stamped, and the prisoner was remanded until Friday, 11th March, Mr. Flamank in the meantime was ordered to apply to his agents in London to get the document stamped. Mr. Templer applied for bail, and the Magistrate said he would take bail, himself in £150, and two sureties in £75 each. Bail not being forthcoming, the prisoner was placed in the lock-up. The Court was crowded during the trial, which lasted nearly three hours.
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Referenced
GRO0518 Devonport: John Ball Pinsent: 1819 – 1901