On 13 May 2022, Mr Ashley Grant Howard, of Hobart, Tasmania, appeared in the Newcastle Local Court via his legal representative, charged with 17 offences under the NSW Crimes Act.  

It is alleged Mr Howard used 17 false transfer forms to arrange for shares in GPS Alliance Holdings Limited, BHP Billiton Limited and Aquarius Platinum Limited to be transferred from one party to another, knowing that the forms were false. 

The transfers are alleged to have occurred between July 2013 and April 2014 and were allegedly made without the knowledge and approval of fourteen shareholders. Howard allegedly transferred the shares to an associate of his and also to himself. 

The matter is being prosecuted by the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions after a referral from ASIC.  

Background 

Mr Howard is charged with 17 counts of using a false document in contravention of section 254(b)(ii) of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW). The maximum penalty per offence, when dealt with summarily is two years imprisonment and/or a fine not exceeding $11,000.  

In October 2016, ASIC permanently banned Mr Howard from providing financial services (16-368MR). The banning order was made in relation to matters unrelated to the charges before the Court. 

Editor’s note:

On 13 May 2022, the matter was mentioned in the Newcastle Local Court and adjourned for further mention on 1 July 2022.

Editor’s note 2:

On 1 July 2022, the matter was mentioned in the Newcastle Local Court and was adjourned for further mention on 22 July 2022.

Editor's note 3:

On 22 July 2022, the matter was mentioned in the Newcastle Local Court where Mr Howard entered a plea of guilty. The matter was adjourned to the 16 August 2022, at the Downing Centre Local Court Sydney to take a date for sentence.

Editor's note 4:

The matter was adjourned to 30 August 2022 for further mention.

Editor's note 5:

On 30 August 2022, Mr Howard appeared before the Downing Centre Local Court where the matter was further adjourned to 13 September 2022.

Editor’s note 6

On 13 September 2022, Mr Howard appeared before the Downing Centre Local Court where the matter was further adjourned to 6 December 2022, for sentence.