The former CEO of collapsed debenture issuer Wickham Securities Ltd today faced court charged with various offences, including fraud, following an ASIC investigation.

Garth Peter Robertson, 49, of Brisbane, Queensland, appeared in the Brisbane Magistrates Court charged with 10 counts of fraudulently obtaining more than $760,000 from Wickham Securities between December 2010 and November 2012. Mr Robertson was charged with a further count of fraudulently obtaining $15,000 from Balmain NB Corporation Limited in November 2010.

Mr Robertson was also charged with nine counts of giving or permitting the giving of false information about Wickham Securities to its trustee, Sandhurst Trustees Ltd, and one count of falsifying books relating to the affairs of Wickham Securities in 2012.

Mr Robertson was not required to enter a plea and was bailed.

The matter will return to the Brisbane Magistrates Court on 28 May 2015.

The Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions is prosecuting the matter.

Background

Brisbane-based Wickham Securities was placed into administration in December 2012 and liquidation in February 2013, with Messrs Grant Sparks and David Leigh of PPB Advisory as liquidators.

Wickham Securities collapsed owing more than $27 million to approximately 300 debenture holders.

In June 2013, ASIC cancelled the registration of the auditor of Wickham Securities, Brian Kingston, after forming the view he failed to carry out or perform adequately and properly the duties of an auditor (refer: 13-156MR).

In September 2013, ASIC banned Bradley Sherwin, the Chairman of Wickham Securities, from financial services for two years and seven months as a result of his bankruptcy (refer: 13-247MR).

ASIC’s investigation into the collapse of other companies connected to Mr Sherwin, including Sherwin Financial Planners Pty Ltd, continues.

Editor's note 1:

On 28 May 2015 the matter was adjourned for further mention on 25 June 2015.

Editor's note 2:

On 25 June 2015, the matter was adjourned to 16 July 2015 for a full hand-up committal.

Editor's note 3:

On 16 July 2015, the matter was adjourned to 20 August 2015 for a full hand-up committal.

Editor's note 4:

On 20 August 2015 Mr Robertson was committed to stand trial in the District Court of Queensland on a date to be fixed. No plea was entered.

Editor's note 5:

On 12 November 2015, two indictments alleging offences by Mr Robertson were presented in the Brisbane District Court by the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions. The matter was adjourned to 14 January 2016 for mention.

Editor's note 6:

On 14 January 2016, the matter was adjourned for further mention on 11 February 2016.

Editor's note 7:

On 11 February 2016, the matter was listed for trial commencing on Monday 22 August 2016.