Andrew Spira indicates intent to plead over string of fraud, firearm and drug charges

A Sydney entrepreneur and relative of media mogul Ita Buttrose arrested allegedly attempting to flee the country has told a Darwin court he intends to plead to a string of charges.

Andrew Spira faces the Darwin Local Court on a string of fraud, firearm and drug charges. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Sydney multi-millionaire Andrew Spira has indicated he will enter a plea over a string of fraud, firearm and drug charges in the Darwin Local Court.

The 25-year-old chief executive of Pineapple Funding and great-nephew of ABC chairwoman Ita Buttrose faced court on Monday morning, appearing in person for the first time since being granted bail in early August.

Spira stands charged with attempting to flee the country from Darwin using fake travel documents, in the process breaching bail he had been granted in New South Wales for similar alleged offences.

Andrew Spira outside court. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

He was arrested along with his co-accused girlfriend and executive assistant Kayla-Leigh Martin, 22, in the lobby of the Darwin Hilton Hotel on May 22.

A police raid on the pair’s hotel room uncovered an unlicensed gun, a trafficable quantity of steroids and a large amount of electronic devices.

Defence lawyer Nicholas Goodfellow said Spira’s legal team was waiting for Commonwealth charges to be transferred to the Territory jurisdiction.

“Ultimately what we’re doing, your honour, is seeking the matter be adjourned for a plea,” he said.

“The reason for this is Mr Spira has some matters – two charges in New South Wales – that are Commonwealth charges and discussions are taking place … to have those charges transferred to be dealt with here as part of the plea.

“So there’ll be a single plea.”

There was no indication as to whether Spira would plead guilty or not guilty to the charges, which include using and possessing a false document, dealing in identification information, possessing or using a firearm while unlicensed, failing to meet firearm storage requirements, possessing a trafficable quantity of a schedule two drug, obtaining financial advantage by deception, making a false statement on a travel document and giving a false statement on an Australian travel document.

He was granted bail on August 3 after more than 10 weeks behind bars on remand and has been living in Palmerston under strict supervision.

He will return to court on October 10.