Alleged fraudster Anthony King’s troubled past laid bare in Coffs Harbour court

The man accused of swindling $1.5m from victims in Coffs Harbour and Macksville had “limited means” and feared losing his social housing lease, a court heard during his bid for bail this week.

Anthony Patrick King, pictured here in 2006.

Details surrounding the “complicated” case against Anthony Patrick King have emerged in court as the accused fraud attempted to make a bid for bail.

A Coffs Harbour court heard the man, who was previously jailed for fraud, was facing fresh allegations he swindled $1.5m from victims living in the Coffs Coast and Macksville areas between 2013 and 2015.

Police allege the 59-year-old coerced three men to invest the large sums into fraudulent business ventures, before using the funds for personal expenses.

The court heard the fresh offences allegedly took place after King was handed a five-year jail term in 2008.

He was receiving Centrelink benefits and was residing in public housing in Jesmond when police arrested him in May this year, it was heard.

Anthony Patrick King, pictured here in 2006.

King had been remanded in custody since his arrest, and made an appearance on screen at Coffs Harbour Local Court on Monday to apply for bail.

His solicitor told Magistrate Ian Rodgers that King felt as though he would not receive a fair trial if he was not granted bail, as there were certain documents he needed to access in order to defend the charges against him.

“It’s the type of matter where there is a need for him to be at liberty to prepare his defence,” they said.

“It’s going to be a complicated matter.”

The defence said King suffered a number of vulnerabilities, including a personality disorder and PTSD from his childhood, as well as a perforated bowel which he needed to receive treatment for.

King appeared in Coffs Harbour Local Court via audio-visual link this week.

They told the court King needed to be freed as he organised to have surgery to remove part of his bowel specifically undertaken by a female doctor in order to prevent re-traumatisation.

The defence further added King would be at risk of losing his five-year lease with Department of Housing if he was in custody for more than six months, saying this would cause him even greater disadvantage when released.

“He asked me to emphasise that if he is released on bail he wants to do the right thing, he wants to defend the charges and he wants to do it properly,” they said.

“He’s not asking your honour to release him so he can … commit more offences.”

The prosecution however argued that the risk of King reoffending was unacceptable considering his history, and added that they believed King was a flight risk.

They told Magistrate Rodgers that documents tendered to the court on his history suggested he had previously used an alias and travelled overseas.

Magistrate Rodgers acknowledged King’s vulnerabilities, but ultimately refused him bail.

“Clearly if he's convicted he’ll serve a custodial term,” he said.

“It appears to be a strong case against him and in light of his history, there are no bail concerns that could mitigate the risks in my view.”

King will appear before the court again on August 10.