Musician accused of $21m fraud splurged on sugar baby, online dating apps while on bail

Despite earning less than $1000 a week from Centrelink, Craig Heath spent nearly $51,000 on his “sugar baby”, dining out and personal grooming while on bail for a string of fraud charges.

Melbourne musician Craig Heath was on bail when he spent almost $51,000 on online dating subscriptions and payments to his ‘sugar baby’. Picture: YouTube

A Melbourne musician accused of a $21.5m fraud splurged on a sugar baby, online dating subscriptions and dining out in the first five months he was on bail, a court has heard.

Despite Craig Heath’s only income being a fortnightly Centrelink payment of under $1000, the County Court heard his bank accounts show he spent almost $51,000 from when he was charged and bailed in February to July.

Detective Senior Constable Lisa Mitchell told the court on Thursday Mr Heath, 51, had coughed up $10,850 over that period to a Paige McCluskey, who she described as his “sugar baby” and “paid partner at that time”.

He spent $9350 on eating out and food, $1187 on online subscriptions, including dating websites, and about $2500 on shopping, personal grooming and lawyers.

Sen-Constable Mitchell pointed out Mr Heath’s big spending in opposing his bid for bail, saying he was an unacceptable risk of offending, and interfering with witnesses.

“A lot of his offending has gone to support his lifestyle,” the detective told the court.

“I don’t know how Mr Heath plans to support himself (if released).”

The Herald Sun first revealed Mr Heath was under investigation by Victoria Police in October 2019.

Melbourne musician Craig Heath has again applied for bail. Picture: YouTube

He was not arrested until February this year, when he was charged with 35 offences relating to property investment scams.

Mr Heath was freed on bail, only to be arrested again in the middle of a meeting with another would-be investor he was allegedly trying to dupe in April.

When detectives served the brief of evidence on Mr Heath the next month, he was facing 107 charges involving 32 alleged victims from 2011 to this year.

But it did not deter him, falsely representing himself as a builder or property developer to get vulnerable people to invest in projects that would never go ahead, Sen-Constable Mitchell said.

Some victims have lost their homes, others their entire life savings.

Craig Heath is facing 102 charges involving 32 alleged victims. Picture: Alex Coppel

Mr Heath also allegedly used the police brief to determine who the witnesses were, targeting one woman by offering her money to withdraw her statements.

“Why did you lag on me?” he allegedly messaged another witness.

“So once he gets the brief and is aware who all the witnesses are, he begins contacting them,” Sen-Constable Mitchell said.

The court heard he was evicted from his Malvern East home earlier this year, following a VCAT ruling for being $70,000 in rent arrears.

He then leased an Ormond home with his father, Graham Heath, who has also allegedly been a victim, with his name being used by his son on falsified loan documents.

On September 13, the singer – who once claimed he worked with country music star Keith Urban – was arrested again, slapped with further charges and remanded in custody.

Defence lawyer Brett O’Sullivan said his client’s first time in custody “has been a shock to him” and had a “salutary effect”.

He cited long delays in the case going to trial, as well as Mr Heath’s mental health, including anxiety, depression and alcohol and other substance abuse disorders, as reasons why he should be bailed.

Judge Pradeep Tiwana will hand down his decision on Friday, December 13.