Daniel French: 18 witnesses to be called in trial of man accused of recruiting boy, 14, to burgle home
A hearing date has been set down at Taree Local Court in the case of a former youth worker accused of recruiting a boy, 14, to burgle his Upper Lansdowne home as part of an an alleged insurance scam.
Mid-North Coast
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About 18 witnesses will be called for cross examination in the trial of a former youth worker who police claim netted tens of thousands of dollars in a bungled insurance scam.
Mr French, 39, was not present at Taree Local Court on Tuesday with his lawyer seeking an adjournment for a suitable date to hear the lengthy cross examinations.
The Upper Lansdowne man has pleaded not guilty to two charges. They are that he allegedly made a false insurance claim to dishonestly obtain a financial advantage and recruited a child under the age of 18 to carry out a criminal activity.
These matters will be heard on March 19, 2021, where about 15 witnesses will appear for the prosecution and three for the defence.
Detectives allege Mr French, who had worked as a youth officer helping disadvantaged Aboriginal youths, recruited a 14-year-old boy to break into his home, sometime between 1 February and 18 March this year.
Mr French is accused of netting about $25,000 of insurance money in the alleged break in, in which the 14-year-old allegedly stole items belonging to Mr French from his Upper Lansdowne home.
Items stolen in burglary allegedly include a Volkswagen car, Kawasaki motorcycle, jewellery, an Xbox and collectable baseball caps.
The Volkswagen was later found burnt out at Taree. The boy was promised gifts in return for committing the crime, it is alleged.
Closed circuit television cameras mounted at the property failed to work when the thieves gained entry.
Mr French will reappear in Taree Local Court on 19 March, 2021.