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Summary: A Well-known Swindler. (Press, 20 April 1889)
On 20 April 1889, Amy Bock, who also used the aliases Laing and A. Brunell, appeared at the Christchurch Police Court charged with obtaining goods valued at £4 1s 2d from a merchant named C. J. Luxton under false pretences, as well as unlawfully receiving £1 from Jonathan Checkley through deception on 17 April. Represented by Mr D. Landy Williams, Bock pleaded guilty to the charges.
Inspector Pender presented a background on Bock’s history of criminal activity which included a prior conviction in Christchurch for a similar offence. Following her past dealings, she had moved to Wellington, where she again encountered legal trouble. Although the magistrates seemed uncertain about Bock's mental state, they chose not to send her to prison, instead committing her to the Industrial School at Caversham. There, she continued to engage in deceptive behaviour, acquiring various goods which she often distributed to acquaintances.
Before her arrest, Bock had been working as a governess for Mrs Brooks at a property near Akaroa. The circumstances surrounding her receipt of goods from Luxton remained unclear. On the day of her arrest, Bock arrived by train from Little River and was observed by Detective O'Connor and Constable Walker. She was seen entering Mr Checkley's shop, claiming that Mrs Brooks, a familiar figure to Checkley, was at the railway station and needed 16s change as she lacked sufficient funds for her return journey.
Upon granting her request, Checkley provided Bock with £1, unaware of her fraudulent intentions. Shortly after, as she was preparing to leave for Lyttelton, Bock was apprehended. During court proceedings, Inspector Pender expressed his belief that Bock might not be fully accountable for her actions due to possible mental health issues. He recommended that she be remanded for a week to undergo a medical examination concerning her sanity.
The court ultimately decided to accept this recommendation, with a specific instruction for Mr Donaldson to ensure that Bock remained separate from other prisoners during her detention in Addington gaol. This decision aimed to address concerns about her propensity for deception and unlawful acquisition of goods. The case sheds light on the complexities surrounding Bock’s mental health and the judicial system's approach to dealing with individuals exhibiting erratic behaviour alongside criminal activity.
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