Fraud-accused Michael Helsby-Knight gets bail after 2 years

Michael Helsby-Knight faces more than 100 charges of causing loss by deception and dishonestly using documents. Photo / Michael Craig

An alleged Kiwi fraudster, who once was deemed such a menace by Australian officials they banned him from doing business in New South Wales, has been released on bail after being in custody for more than two years.

Michael Helsby-Knight, who is in his mid-50s, faces more than 100 charges of causing loss by deception and dishonestly using documents.

The amount at issue in the alleged fraud is said to be around $190,000 and is due to go to trial in September.

He has spent more than two years in custody but is now being released on bail to a Huntly address after his lawyer won an appeal in the High Court at Auckland this morning.

The conditions of his bail, granted by Justice Murray Gilbert, include that he is to have no access to a computer other than to prepare for his trial.

Helsby-Knight allegedly fleeced people for iPhones, computers and televisions and took deposits for electronic goods that never arrived.

The businessman is also accused of sending documents about a Chinese trade fair which he had no connection with.

He appeared in the Auckland District Court near the end of 2012 after being arrested in Bangkok, where he had been based for the previous four years.

His Thai visa was cancelled and he returned back to New Zealand, denying the charges soon after his arrival.

Other aliases he is understood to go by include Foxconn GroupPlc, Michael Caughey, Mike Brandoff, Michael Kain, Michael Kuhn, Michael Maverick and Michael Wright.