Clayton Hunwick facing fraud, stealing charges in Brisbane District Court
A former Gold Coaster who is facing numerous fraud charges after allegedly ripping people off has spoken out, saying he “lost it all”. Read what he said
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A former Gold Coaster facing numerous fraud charges says he will defend them but agrees he owes some people money – and “100 per cent planned to pay them back”.
Clayton Hunwick, now living in Brisbane, faces six charges of fraud – including two to the value of more than $30,000 but less than $100,000 – and one of stealing.
An indictment before the Brisbane District Court alleges Mr Hunwick swindled two people out of at least $30,000 on the Gold Coast between October 28, 2021 and January 1, 2022.
He is charged in the same proceedings with having defrauded or stolen from another three people at various periods between July, 2017 and February, 2021.
The 31-year-old has been granted bail on the charges.
Mr Hunwick told the Bulletin he denied all the charges and “wanted to sort it out”.
“I’m not pleading guilty,” he said.
“I have nothing to lose.
“The whole point of going to court is to sort it out and come to some sort of agreement.”
While he denied the charges, Mr Hunwick said he understood he owed money to eight alleged victims.
“I 100 per cent planned to pay them back,” he said.
“They’ve seen my house, they know I can afford it.
“I was waiting on some stuff.
“It is my business. Everything went away. I lost it all.”
Mr Hunwick said he understood how the alleged victims were feeling.
“I’m not sitting here thinking they don’t matter. Of course they do,” he said.
“I don’t deny that people’s feelings are how they are and I get that people are mad.”
Mr Hunwick said “the worst part about everything” was seeing “a whole bunch of terrible stuff” about himself online.
“(On another occasion) I was out for my aunty’s birthday and a random lady ripped my shirt as I was leaving the restaurant.”
Gold Coast musician Greg Farquhar, 62, claimed Mr Hunwick took his vintage amps and other equipment, which were being kept at a Burleigh Heads cafe.
Mr Hunwick denied the claims but did admit to the Bulletin he owed roughly $8000.
Mr Farquhar alleged he first met Mr Hunwick in February, 2018 at Mr Hunwick’s former cafe Hula Girl Espresso.
Mr Farquhar claimed he had invested $8000 in a $16,000 vintage guitar which Mr Hunwick said he would later sell for a profit.
“That never eventuated,” he said.
“Music and these vintage guitars are my life. I play up to eight hours a day,” he said.
“The performing arts are extremely tough these days and it’s tough to make a quid out of being a muso.
“I really hope that there will be justice.”
Sydney-based couple Sascha Griffin and Scott Feneck also claim they lost thousands after Mr Hunwick allegedly sold them a 1964 Camaro two years ago, which they have never received.
Mr Hunwick said he “does not deny” that he owes Mr Feneck money.
Ms Griffin said they first met Mr Hunwick while on holiday on the Gold Coast in January, 2022.
Mr Hunwick said his relationship with Mr Feneck and Ms Griffin was complicated because his mother was previously married into the Griffin family.
He said the deal went pear-shaped.
Mr Hunwick’s case was listed for mention in Brisbane District Court on Friday.
Originally published as Clayton Hunwick facing fraud, stealing charges in Brisbane District Court
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