Michael Byrnes: Bomaderry man charged with use false document to influence exercise of public duty

A convicted shoplifter ordered to complete 120 hours of community service has returned to court, after allegedly using a fake medical certificate in a bid to swindle his way out of completing the court ordered work.

Micheal Byrnes allegedly used a fake medical certificate. Picture: Generic, file

A convicted shoplifter has denied “serious” allegations he attempted to use a fake medical certificate to swindle his way out of court ordered community service.

Micheal Byrnes, 35, appeared in the Nowra Local Court on Tuesday via video link from custody, a day after his arrest for allegedly using a fake document to get out of completing community service on November 16 last year.

Documents tendered to the court state Byrnes was ordered to complete 120 hours of community service work after he was convicted on charges of larceny and shoplifting and sentenced to two 18 month community correction orders in the Wollongong Local Court on December 5, 2024.

The allegations saw the Bomaderry man charged with using a false document to influence exercise of public duty.

Byrnes pleaded not guilty to the charge on Tuesday, where he also saw a bid for bail granted by Magistrate Lisa Viney.

Micheal Byrnes was granted bail in the Nowra Local Court. Picture: Dylan Arvela

The prosecution stated they were against bail due to Byrnes’ recent history.

They also submitted that at the time of the alleged fraud, Byrnes was serving bail for a separate charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Byrnes pleaded not guilty to this offence in the Port Kembla Local Court in early 2024.

The case returns to the same court on February 5 for hearing.

Despite the Bomaderry man’s previous and ongoing cases, Byrnes’ lawyer, Benjamin Goodhew, asked the court to grant bail noting his client had adhered to all bail conditions until the recent allegation.

Ms Viney ultimately granted bail, albeit with strict conditions, including reporting to the Nowra Police Station three times a week, seeking mental health support and residing with a family member.

Byrnes’ fake document case will return to the Nowra Local Court on February 18.

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