Helsby-Knight bail bid deferred again

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

An alleged Kiwi fraudster will spend a third consecutive Christmas in custody as his High Court bail bid gets put off until next year.

Michael Helsby-Knight, once deemed such a menace by Australian officials they banned him from doing business in New South Wales, 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.

After more than two years in custody, Helsby-Knight last month made a fresh bid to be released on bail.

His appeal against an earlier decision refusing bail came before Justice Raynor Asher in the High Court at Auckland today but was put off for a second time.

It is next due before a judge in February.

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

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

Helsby-Knight's trial is due to take place next September.

He has been in custody since 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.