Jacob Robert Henley, accused of multiple fraud offences, has matter mentioned in Toowoomba Magistrates Court

A magistrate has ordered a 37-year-old, charged with multiple alleged fraud offences, to appear in court after his lawyer revealed money problems were holding up proceedings.

A former gym owner, facing fraud charges of more than $100,000, has been warned his matter would be progressing whether he had funding for a lawyer or not.

Jacob Robert Henley did not appear in Toowoomba Magistrates Court when his matter was mentioned on Wednesday, with the 37-year-old represented by John Davis of Kennedy Spanner Lawyers.

Mr Henley has not yet entered any pleas to the offences he has been charged with, which include one count of fraud – dishonestly obtaining property from another to the value of at least $100,000, one count of fraud – dishonestly obtaining property from another to the value of or over $30,000 but less than $100,000, two counts of fraud – dishonestly causing detriment, two counts of uttering a forged document, and one count of forgery and uttering.

While no details of the alleged offences have been disclosed to the court, it is believed one charge arises from alleged fraud to the value of more than $200,000.

Jacob Robert Henley has been accused of multiple fraud offences. Pic Annette Dew.

During the brief mention Mr Davis requested a three week adjournment to allow his office to receive briefs of evidence that were currently being held by Mr Henley’s previous legal representatives.

Mr Davis said funding was an issue, as Mr Henley had only given his office enough money to cover receiving the briefs and the court appearance, and to further complicate matters his client allegedly owed money to the law firm that had previously acted on Mr Henley’s behalf.

Magistrate Kay Philipson told Mr Davis to inform his client that his presence was required on the next occasion and that the matter would be progressing “regardless of funds”.

Mr Henley’s bail was continued and he was ordered to appear in person on the next mention date, which was adjourned to August 17.