A WOMAN’S THREATS.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 January 1921, Page 11

A WOMAN’S THREATS.

BARONET BLACKMAILED. JUSTICE DARLING 'ON “VICIOUS CIRCLES. An extraordinary series of blackmailing threats made by a woman to extort money from Sir Herbert Frederick Cook, Bart., the well-known city business man, were detailed at the Old Bailey (London), before Mr. Justice Darling in. the trial of Mrs. Helga Sawrev Cooltson, a Dane, 3*2 years of age. The charge was “threatening to publish certain matters and things touching” Sir Herbert, and “proposing to ahsjjiin from publishing the said matters and things with intent to extort large sums of money.” The court was crowded, and many women were present. Mrs. Cookson, whose maiden name, it was stated, was Samuel, wore a long black veil, black fcit and black _coat. In a low voice she pleaded guilty, and added: “I am very sorry.” . ’ Among Mrs. Cookson’s threats work the following:—To burn Sir.. Herbert Cook’s collection of pictures; to send anonymous letters to residents at Cran’r leigh (where Sir Herbert has a house)?, or to auy district in which he should settle. The demands included; £5OOO yearj £15,000 down to buy a London house and furnish it. LIFE OF EXCITEMENT. A doctor said Mrs. Cookson was neurotic, and described her as “one of those people who live a life of 'excitement, overtaxed their nervous system, and got into a vicious circle.” On this Air. Justice Darling said: “Some of the circles are very vicious indeed.” The defendant was severely censured by the judge, who ordered her to be bound over in the sum of £5O to come up for judgment if called upon. “You must understand,” he said, “that if you do not keep the terms of the recognisances you will, without further trial, be arrested and sentenced to a very long term of imprisonment.” Mrs. Cookson, said Sir Richard Muir, prosecuting, had been acquainted with Sir Herbert Cook since 1912, and in 1914 Sir Herbert settled £io,ooo on her and her children, if any (she was not then married). Now she was married and living with her husband and two children. The threats were contained in a long letter sent to Sir Herbert’s solicitor. After setting out what she considered her grievances, she said: “If H. C. were to die, where should I be?” and went on to detail “three schemes which I may carry out immediately or simultaneously.” “One,” declared the letter, “is to send typewritten letters to soitfe 20 of the most important residents in the Cranleigh districts . . . They would read something like this.” Part of this sample anonymous letter ran: “If you have a daughter or a young wife I strongly advise you not to call on the Cooks.”

Ab to the picture-burning threat, Airs. Cookson wrote: “Another scheme is- to burn the picture collection (perhaps then he have enough ready money to settle on me), and go straight to the police and give myself up.” Another threat was to “Write to Esher and protest against H. C. being made a J.P. and occupying any position of honor, as he dishonored me.” JUDGE ON A "MONSTROUS THING.” For the defence, Mr. Curtis Bennett, K.C., said it was clear that the defendant's only course was 1 to plead guilty. The letter was, he would not say a mad letter, but an extraordinary one. Air. Justice Darling, in passing sentence, said: “You have had some sort of relation with Sir Herbert Cook, who settled a large sum of money on you. You wanted more. You threatened to make the life of this man, his wife, and his family impossible, and also to do a monstrous thing—burn Sir Herbert Cook’s priceless collection of pictures. “You were on the verge of a nervous breakdown, brought about simply by the ■ kind of life you lead. As the doctor ; said, you and others move in vicious 1 circles. “In jhat condition you write this letter, but yoi would not have written it unless you were a vicious woman.”