The ongoing court case of a former Launceston accountant who said he would plead guilty to stealing and misappropriation charges totalling more than $267,000 has dragged on.
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James Redmond Burrows, 35, and now living in Victoria, was due to plead in the Launceston Magistrates Court on Monday, but instead his case was adjourned after Magistrate Sharon Cure was informed police were pursuing further charges.
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The 35-year-old appeared briefly by video-link in front of Ms Cure without a lawyer present, which he said was because he "wasn't able to pay the [the legal fees] in full".
But it was the indication by police prosecutor Andrew Gillard that police were in the process of laying additional charges that caused Ms Cure to consider the adjournment.
"Police rang me today to notify me of the additional charges," Mr Burrows told the court.
Monday was the fourth time Mr Burrows had appeared in the court.
The alleged fraudster last appeared on August 4 and told Magistrate Sharon Cure he intended to plead guilty after detailing how he had already admitted guilt to the Australian Tax Office and police.
On that occasion, Ms Cure did not accept his indication of plea because Mr Burrows indicated his lawyer, who was not present, was working through documents relating to the case amounting to 500 pages.
Ms Cure directed Mr Burrows to plead, only after receiving advice from his lawyer who he indicated was Victorian barrister Damien Shields.
But, with two months having since passed, Mr Burrows again appeared without a lawyer and Ms Cure adjourned the case until November 26.
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