Conman Jonathan Robert Simmons faces sentencing for fraud committed 11 years ago after being named among SA’s most wanted criminals

Police around Australia spent 11 years hunting this fraudster – a court has heard he was under their noses the whole time.

A conman once named among SA’s most wanted fugitives was in prison – first in Victoria, then NSW – for similar offending throughout his alleged “time on the run”, a court has heard.

The Advertiser can reveal Jonathan Robert Simmons is finally being held to account for his fraudulent actions, 11 years after he was first accused.

But in an ironic twist, the man police could not locate – despite him being in jail – was excused from attending the Adelaide Magistrates Court in person on Wednesday.

James Caldicott, for Simmons, said his client was caring for his ailing mother, and needed to be assessed by a psychologist before he was sentenced.

In 2018, Simmons was named by authorities as one of “Australia’s most wanted” by a national operation, involving police forces in every state, to track down alleged fugitives.

Jonathan Robert Simmons

At the time, he was charged with 10 counts of deceiving another to benefit himself, allegedly committed between September 17 and November 5, 2014.

SA Police previously alleged in court that Simmons had defrauded $58,000 from a number of people under the guise of developing a website to “assist punters”.

They further alleged he fled SA – using the names John Robert Griffiths, Tristian Simmons or John Simmons – in 2015, ahead of a scheduled court appearance in May 2016.

On Thursday, Simmons pleaded guilty to four counts of deception and, in a deal with prosecutors, the other six were withdrawn.

Mr Caldicott said those counts all related to a single victim, from whom Simmons had defrauded $16,000 to “fund his gambling addiction”.

“The situation is that my client offended here, then travelled to Victoria and offended there, then to NSW and offended there... it was all similar offending,” he said.

“He offended here in 2014, in Victoria in 2015-2016, and shortly thereafter in NSW.

“He was arrested in NSW, sent to Victoria where he served prison time and was paroled, then sent back to NSW where he served further time.

“Upon his release he was returned to Victoria, where he was extradited here and then released on bail.”

Mr Caldicott said he would tender “a chronology” of Simmons’ movements, as well as character references and a psychological report.

He asked the case be postponed to obtain that report, saying Simmons had not seen his doctor due to his duties caring for his mother.

Magistrate Simon Smart remanded Simmons on continuing bail to face sentencing submissions in May.