Archerfield man charged over $140k worth of fraud, admits to assault on police

An Archerfield man who “disgracefully” covered police in his own poo during a holding cell meltdown has faced court for a string of frauds totalling $140,000.

A 36-year-old Archerfield man who defrauded citizens of more than $140,000 admitted to defecating on police and lunging at the firearm of one cop.

Adam Hughes appeared in Beenleigh District Court charged with nine counts of fraud, two counts of fraud from an employer, drug possession and assault of a police officer.

The court heard on July 31, 2020 the defendant was arrested and violently struggled with the arresting officers.

Judge Craig Chowdhury said Hughes “disgracefully defecated, covering police with faeces,” before he threatened to self-harm in the holding cell.

He was then taken to Logan hospital.

Hughes, who the court heard had attended Christian school St John Paul College, reacted violently while under the supervision of police and lunged for an officer’s firearm, where he did not let go until three police officers tackled him to the ground.

Archerfield serial fraudster Adam Hughes. Picture: Facebook

The court heard the Archerfield man had been dealing with substance abuse problems since his mid 20s, mainly methamphetamine, and was currently seeking treatment for his drug abuse.

The court heard the fraud charges related to offences in 2016 to 2019, totalling in excess of $140,000.

In one incident, Hughes fraudulently sold two Toyota HiLux vehicles for $42,000 and never provided the cars.

The court heard Hughes illegally obtained meals, services, Bunnings cards and arranged to have a gate installed at his house, paid for by his employer.

He also illegally obtained alcohol via his employer, created fictitious employees and on one occasion stole a drone from Bunnings.

Hughes admitted in police interviews that his offending was driven by greed and an addiction to a particular lifestyle.

Judge Chowdhury said members of the community suffered as a result of the defendant’s dishonest behaviour.

“There are 15 different complainants who are all out of pocket and you are in no position to pay them back,” he said.

“You were defrauding your employer significant amounts of money; this was deliberate dishonesty.”

He was sentenced to a four year suspended prison sentence and will be on parole until November 2024.

Hughes already received an imprisonment sentence of two years and three months last year at Beenleigh Magistrates Court.

The court heard the defendant had a lengthy history of offending, including fraud offences dating back to 2004.