Accused property scammer Craig Heath clears hurdle in fight for bail

A musician accused of posing as a property developer in an elaborate $21m investment scam has cleared one hurdle in his fight for freedom but won’t walk free from prison just yet.

Country singer turned alleged serial fraudster Craig Heath. Picture: Alex Coppel

Country singer turned alleged serial fraudster Craig Heath has cleared one hurdle to freedom.

The 51-year-old, who is accused of posing as a property developer in an elaborate $21m investment scam, was granted bail in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday on charges related to an additional con while on bail.

Magistrate Timothy Burke said the accused fraudster was a manipulative operator.

“He’s a sophisticated man who knows how to manipulate (land) titles and people to gain access to money,” Mr Burke said.

“He doesn’t even attempt to understand his conduct issues.”

However Mr Burke decided to grant Mr Heath bail after a promise by his defence lawyer that he would engage in a more intensive treatment regime involving a psychiatrist.

But Mr Heath won’t walk free from prison just yet.

He must also succeed in a bail application in the County Court on Thursday to be released back into the community.

Craig Heath. Picture: Alex Coppel

Mr Heath, who once claimed to have worked with country music star Keith Urban, was not in court to hear the news due to technical issues connecting to Marngoneet Correctional Centre in Lara where he’s on remand.

Prosecutors argued against his bail, claiming he remained a risk of interfering with witnesses in the case against him.

While on bail it’s alleged Mr Heath breached his conditions by pretending to be a financial broker.

Police allege he obtained more than $30K from an alleged victim and attempted to obtain more than $640K under a fraudulent loan application between April and September this year.

The alleged offences resulted in his fourth arrest, which followed a June court appearance where he was already facing 107 charges linked to alleged property scams.

Police allege Mr Heath fleeced numerous victims by pretending to be a property developer offering to rebuild homes before making off with large sums of cash.

“He wants money and he wants to not go to jail,” the prosecutor told the court on Tuesday.

“Even with the psychiatrist, it doesn’t significantly or at all reduce the risk that he will do this all again in the future.”

The bail conditions set by Mr Burke require he not contact witnesses for the prosecution, attend any departure points, report daily to local police and use only one mobile phone without encryption applications.

Mr Heath’s internet usage was also heavily restricted and he was ordered not to apply for any financial loans or possess original photographs or identity documents belonging to another person.