Robert Wayne Collins, accused in sham investment case, says he’s mentally unwell to face trial
AN accused fraudster has claimed he is mentally unwell to face trial over claims he and his wife fleeced victims out of large sums of money through an elaborate sham, a court has heard.
AN accused fraudster has claimed he is mentally unwell to face trial over claims he and his wife fleeced victims out of large sums of money through an elaborate sham, a court has heard.
Robert Wayne Collins, 74, and Veronika Mohor, 62, appeared in the District Court on Friday charged with deceiving victims out of more than $375,000.
Prosecutors allege the couple, of Hackham, in Adelaide’s south, duped their victims through an elaborate scam involving bogus foreign charities and US property investments in New York.
On Friday, the court heard Collins now claimed he was not “fit to stand trial”.
He has to plead to six counts of deception and a further count of money laundering.
John Edwards, defending, said medical opinions suggested that his client was not able to properly direct his lawyers on whether he was guilty or innocent.
“Our concern is that Mr Collins is not fit to even instruct upon his plea and enter this before the court,” he told Judge Simon Stretton.
Further medical evidence is now being sought.
During the same hearing, Mohor formally pleaded not guilty to one count of money laundering, related to the purchase of a luxury Mercedes Benz vehicle, and will face trial later next year.
Outside court, one of their alleged victims, “Julie”, 56, of Taperoo, in Adelaide’s west, said she had lost $50,000 meant for her and her husband’s retirement.
She spoke of her frustration at Collins’ claims, who she met at an investment seminar in 2013.
The accused couple were remanded on bail to reappear in court in December.