Extortion, computing hacking accused Bruce Arthur Kerr wants venue change
The barrister for a Rockhampton businessman accused of extortion and computer hacking will have a Change of Venue application heard next month.
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The barrister for a Rockhampton business owner accused by a former customer of extortion and computer hacking will have a Change of Venue application heard by a Central Queensland judge next month.
Brisbane-based barrister Andrew Hoare is representing Bruce Arthur Kerr who is charged with extortion and computer hacking over allegations he threatened to interfere with a client’s computer systems if he wasn’t paid.
Judge Jeff Clarke informed parties he “won’t have anything to do with this matter other than mentions and listing”.
No reason for the move was provided during court proceedings.
During a mention of the case in Rockhampton District Court on May 24, Mr Hoare informed the court he would be “happy” for Judge Clarke to consider the Change of Venue application as it would be an argument of law due to a particular media story about a previous court application.
Judge Clarke said the jury would be told to disregard all media reporting of the matter, which occurs in every trial.
He granted Mr Hoare’s request and set the application down for hearing in Gladstone on June 9.
Mr Kerr’s charges were committed to the higher court when Magistrate Jason Schubert ordered him to stand trial in July 2022.
It will be alleged Mr Kerr threatened to cut off client Green Steel’s computers to a server under Mr Kerr’s control if outstanding invoices, which Mr Kerr dropped off on the morning of May 27, 2021, were not paid by 2pm.
Mr Kerr allegedly put the threat in writing when he emailed Green Steel owner Brett Steven Green at 1.15pm on May 27, again asking for the invoices to be paid by 2pm to “guarantee uninterrupted access to all their business systems”.
Green Steel sells steel products in retail and wholesale fashion, with three branches in Queensland – Brisbane, Rockhampton and Emerald – and employs about 50 people.
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