Ronnie Achurch: alleged bushfire grant fraudster busted for drug driving at Moss Vale
A dog breeder who police allege has links to the Rebels and dresses his pups in gold chains, Gucci and Louis Vuitton for Instagram, has been caught driving with drugs in his system.
The Bowral News
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A designer dog breeder who dresses his pups in gold chains, Gucci and Louis Vuitton outfits, has copped a driving ban after getting behind the wheel with illicit drugs in his system.
Ronnie Achurch, 32, appeared in Picton Local Court for sentencing on Tuesday after pleading guilty to driving under the influence of cocaine and methamphetamine.
The Hill Top resident, who runs “Off Tap” dog breeding, also fixed a date for his hearing, after he pleaded not guilty to 10 charges which police allege relate to a scheme to defraud more than $50,000 from a grant intended to help victims of the 2019/20 bushfires.
Mr Achurch was arrested on December 9 after police investigated reports members and associates of the Rebels were allegedly involved in obtaining unlawful grant money through a NSW Government scheme to help people after the 2019 bushfires.
Police allege Mr Achurch was involved in publishing false information to pose as a small business affected by the bushfires in order to defraud tens of thousands of dollars from the government grant.
At the time of the arrests, Criminal Groups Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent Robert Critchlow, said the alleged crimes were “heinous” given the devastation suffered during the traumatic fire season.
Mr Achurch was charged with dishonestly gaining and obtaining financial advantage by deception, recklessly dealing with proceeds of crime amounting to more than $50,000, publishing false misleading material to obtain advantage, acquiring ammunition subject to prohibition order and five charges of drug possession.
While he waits for the hearing on those charges, Mr Achuch faced sentencing this week for driving under the influence of cocaine and methamphetamine through Moss Vale on March 1.
Court documents show the Hill Top resident was driving along Berrima Rd when police stopped him for a random breath test. Although he returned a negative result for alcohol, his results were positive for methamphetamine.
The court heard Mr Achurch had consumed cocaine earlier in the week and was “surprised” it was still in his system. Mr Achurch denied ingesting meth, although his lawyer suggested the substance may have been mixed into his cocaine.
Magistrate Mark Douglass said Mr Achurch’s record did not assist him.
“He has multiple drug offences. He has drug convictions,” he said.
The court heard Mr Achurch is a dog breeder who needs his licence to care for his animals, and to continue to volunteer for charitable organisations.
However, Magistrate Douglass determined it was necessary to disqualify Achurch from driving for six months and fine him $400.
The 32-year-old’s Facebook page is flooded with photos of the bulldogs he breeds, with the animals wearing knock off designer gear and heavy gold chains.
Mr Achurch will return to court in January 2022 for the alleged bushfire grant fraud charges.
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