Hubbard's court appearance delayed

Allan Hubbard has had his court appearance delayed by six weeks. Photo / The Listener

Allan Hubbard has had next week's court appearance on fraud charges delayed by six weeks, possibly longer.

Hubbard, 83, was due to appear for a post committal conference in Timaru District Court on Monday but the Serious Fraud Office (SFO), which laid 50 fraud charges against him, asked for more time.

The request was not opposed by the defence, the Timaru Herald reported today.

Hubbard's lawyer Mike Heron said the new date for his appearance was October 10 but ``it was far from certain '' it would proceed on that date.

Hubbard was charged in June after a 12-month SFO investigation.

Hubbard, his wife Jean, their companies Aorangi Securities and Hubbard Management Funds, and seven charitable trusts, were placed in statutory management by the Government in June last year.

Hubbard says he will deny the charges relating to theft by a person in a special relationship, false statement by a promoter, and false accounting.

-NZPA