Hard drive analysis delays case of jailed Pineapple Funding CEO Andrew Spira

Andrew Spira, the Sydney businessman and great-nephew of Ita Buttrose who was arrested in Darwin over a string of alleged offences, will spend at least another month behind bars. Here’s why.

The Sydney businessman and great-nephew of Ita Buttrose charged with a string of fraud, drug and firearm offences continues to wait on remand in a Darwin jail as another delay halts the progress of his case.

Andrew Spira, the 24-year-old founder and chief executive of business-loan broker Pineapple Funding, was arrested in the Territory on May 22 after allegedly fleeing bail conditions he had been placed under in New South Wales.

Facing the Darwin Local Court for a directions hearing on Monday morning, Spira’s matter was instead adjourned for four weeks to allow for analysis of phone and computer hard drives to be completed.

When Spira first faced Darwin court in May he offered his multimillion-dollar fortune as surety for bail, but was refused by Chief Judge Elizabeth Morris on the grounds he could use those resources to flee.

Andrew Spira remains in a Darwin jail, facing a string of fraud, firearm and drug charges. Picture: Supplied/Facebook

Police allege Spira travelled by private jet with his personal assistant, Kayla-leigh Martin, 22, to Darwin on May 20.

The pair checked into the Hilton Hotel in Darwin’s CBD, and were allegedly making plans to illegally leave the country.

On the day of their arrest police executed a search warrant at their hotel room and seized a large amount of electronic devices, a trafficable quantity of steroids, and an unlicensed gun.

Prosecutors allege Spira tried to obtain an Australian passport at the Darwin office by claiming his had been stolen when it had in fact been surrendered to NSW police.

It was also alleged he attempted to organise flights to the Territory, and out of the country using fraudulent credit card details.

Kayla-leigh Martin, executive assistant of Andrew Spira, was arrested alongside her boss in the Darwin Hilton Hotel lobby on May 22. Picture: Supplied.

Spira stands charged with using and possessing false documents, dealing in identification information, possessing or using an unlicensed firearm, failing to meet firearm storage requirements, possessing a trafficable quantity of steroids, obtaining financial advantage by deception, making a false statement on a travel document and giving a false statement on an Australian travel document.

Martin was charged with dealing in identification information and obtaining financial advantage by deception, and was granted bail on May 29 on the condition she remain in Darwin and have no contact with her boss.

Spira will return to court on July 31.