Ex-Jetts Fitness Maroochydore gym manager Leigh Baker charged with fraud, computer hacking
An ex-Sunshine Coast gym manager has been charged by detectives with allegedly defrauding and hacking the computers of his former boss for more than 15 months.
Police & Courts
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A former Maroochydore gym manager has been charged with multiple counts of fraud and computer hacking.
Leigh Thomas Baker was charged by the Maroochydore Criminal Investigation Branch on May 17 with 17 counts of computer hacking and 12 counts of fraud relating to the owner of Jetts Fitness Maroochydore.
The 43-year-old man appeared in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Monday represented by defence lawyer David Svoboda, who said the matters were indictable, meaning they would need to be finalised in the District Court.
Mr Svoboda asked for an adjournment to receive a full brief of evidence which was granted by magistrate Haydn Stjernqvist.
Court documents reveal Baker’s computer hacking and fraud charges spanned from November 20, 2022 to March 10, 2024 with the alleged offences occurring at Jetts Fitness gym at 25 Maud St, Maroochydore.
Police allege Baker dishonestly caused financial loss to the owner of Jetts Fitness Maroochydore 12 times over the 15 month period.
Detectives further allege in court documents the 43-year-old used a restricted computer without the consent of the Jetts Fitness Maroochydore owner 17 times and caused detriment.
Baker’s matter was adjourned to August 2 and he left the court on bail. No pleas were entered.
The 43-year-old former gym employee made headlines in this publication in 2017 when Jetts Fitness placed 23rd in the 2017 Best Places to Work Study by Great Places to Work Australia.
Baker at the time worked as the club manager and said the staff and clients “made his workplace great”.
The Maroochydore man, who had six trainers working under him in 2017, said at the time the team’s strong relationship extended far beyond the gym’s walls with a good culture developed through connections with co-workers and gym goers.
It’s understood Baker no longer works at Jetts Fitness Maroochydore.
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