New twist in Ultra Tune boss’s bugging allegations

A man allegedly enlisted by Ultra Tune boss Sean Buckley to install cameras to spy on the magnate’s ex-girlfriend is set to plead guilty in a twist to the case.

Sean Buckley with former girlfriend Jennifer Cruz Cole.

A criminal case against Ultra Tune magnate Sean Buckley has taken a twist as the man he’s accused of enlisting to install cameras in his ex-girlfriend’s apartment plans to plead guilty.

Anthony Swords has been charged by police with stalking and installing a hidden camera in the hallway outside the apartment of Mr Buckley’s ex-girlfriend, bikini model Jennifer Cruz Cole, in December 2020.

Mr Buckley faces 12 charges over the saga, including two counts of threats to kill, four counts of stalking, assault, installing devices in Ms Cole’s apartment and car, among others.

It’s understood Mr Buckley intends to fight the charges.

Ultra Tune owner Sean Buckley is facing 12 charges.

But the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court heard on Tuesday that Mr Swords had been ready to put in his plea offer back in December.

The Herald Sun understands that offer includes a plea of guilty to installing the camera only.

Negotiations are continuing between police and Mr Swords’ lawyer Manjot Singh.

However, the case had been repeatedly delayed, with the police informant who is running the case now on leave.

Mr Singh, from Dhillon Legal, told the court he’d first lodged documents for Mr Swords’ plea on December 8.

“We’ve had a number of adjournments,” he said, confirming he would be asking the police to front up Mr Swords’ legal costs because the matter was dragging on.

“I hope the matter can resolve on the next occasion.”

Anthony Swords plans to plead guilty.

The court heard that Mr Buckley’s lawyers had asked police for the body-worn camera footage of the arresting officers, but they still haven’t received the footage, or any other documents.

The hearing was adjourned for another five weeks in the hope the cop who charged them would be back from leave.

Mr Buckley, Mr Swords and Ms Cole are separately feuding over secret tapes in a bitter Supreme Court civil case.

The tapes, recorded by Ms Cole, feature conversations between her and the magnate, with whom she shares a daughter.

They also allegedly depict an assault and are understood to be the basis of some of the criminal charges against Mr Buckley.

Mr Buckley, Mr Swords and co-accused Wade D’Andrea will return to Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on March 29.