The Case Of Amy Bock (Press, 4 May 1909)

Amy Bock was presented before the Court in Dunedin on 4 May 1909, facing charges of forging the signature of her employer, John Roy, to obtain a loan of £110 from a moneylender named Ellis. Bock, who was working as a domestic servant for Roy, allegedly used a forged receipt for £62 indicating that she had bought Roy's furniture to secure the loan. This occurred while Roy and his family were on holiday. The courtroom was packed with spectators by the time the proceedings began, and Bock's lawyer requested she be allowed to sit with her back to the public, citing her distress, but the Magistrate denied this request. Evidence presented revealed that Bock sold Roy's furniture without his knowledge while he was away. Following the family's return, Bock left the house under the pretense of visiting her brother and a friend. Bock wrote a letter to Ellis, expressing deep remorse and begging for leniency. She admitted in the letter to deceiving him under immense pressure to help her brother, claiming that she had fabricated her identity and circumstances out of desperation. She articulated a strong appeal for understanding and indicated her belief that she could repay the money if given the chance. In the hearing, she pleaded guilty and expressed gratitude to the police and the Roy family for their treatment during the ordeal. The Court was informed that three additional charges would be laid against her. Chief Detective Herbert provided evidence of her time working for Roy and the events leading to the forgery. The details surrounding the transaction revealed that Bock had written to financial agents seeking a loan on the furniture she claimed was hers. Using the false name of Charlotte Skevington, she engaged with both Ellis and his solicitor, Mr D. Forsyth, to complete the necessary documents to secure the cash advance. The case has drawn significant public interest due to the nature of the crime and the emotional appeals Bock made in her writings, reflecting a complex interplay of desperation and manipulation. As proceedings concluded, Bock was committed for sentencing.

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