Sarah Cooke

341

Maureen Withey on 16th February 2024

Committed to the Borough Owl.—Sarah Cook, alias Oakham Sall, well known at the Exchange, from the repealed visits which she been compelled make there, was committed to the Borough Gaol, on day last, charged with picking the pocket of the Porter to the Infirmary while at the Angel Inn Gateway, few nights ago. It. appears the Porter had been purchasing quantity of brandy at a liquor shop in Gallowtree gate, and had pulled out his purse, containing two pound notes and some silver to pay for it, which meeting the eye of Sarah, proved too tempting for her Accordingly, on leaving the shop, she followed him until he got into the darkest part of the passage alluded to, when contriving to arrest his  progress for a moment, she slipped her hand into his waistcoat pocket, took out bis purse, extracted the notes silver therefrom, and then returned it into his pocket again, and left him. Such, we understand, was the adroitness with which the robbery was effected, that the Porter was not aware of his loss till some time after. The prisoner bas been in custody several limes before on similar charges, but has evaded punishment, from the difficulty of bringing the offence borne to her. Leicester Chronicle, 1 Jan 1825. Sarah Cook stood indicted for stealing from the person of John Carter, shopman at the Infirmary, two pound notes, four half-crowns, 4s 6d. in silver, and ?. in copper, on the evening of the 24tb December last. … The jury found her guilty, proceeded to pass sentence upon her, It appeared that she had already been six times in custody upon similar charges; once tried and acquitted, and also was prisoned one month for disorderly conduct in the streets. Everyone must consequently be satisfied that she was an abandoned, incorrigible character, totally unworthy to remain any longer in this country. The sentence upon her therefore was, that she be transported beyond the seas for the term of fourteen years. Leicester Chronicle, 8 Jan 1825.