A SALEYARDS contractor has fronted court for the first time on charges that he pocketed $35,000 for incorrectly invoicing tens of thousands of head of cattle.
Cameron John Jones is charged with five counts of fraud and will fight the allegations, after an investigation by detectives from the Oxley rural crime unit.
On Tuesday, Jones fronted Gunnedah Local Court and pleaded not guilty to five charges of dishonestly obtaining benefit by deception.
Following the pleas, magistrate George Breton ordered police to compile a brief of evidence into the charges and serve it on Jones' defence solicitor, before adjourning the matter.
The case will return to court in June.
It's the police case against Jones that he incorrectly invoiced the processing of 59,000 head of cattle and took $35,000 more than he was entitled too.
The 37-year-old Curlewis man worked as a contractor at the saleyards over a five year period, police claim.
During this time, police allege Jones was responsible for the receiving of cattle consigned to the Gunnedah saleyards and placing into pens for sale.
The accused was required to take delivery of sold cattle once they were weighed and deliver them into buyers' holding yards for pickup and delivery.
A cattle paint branded was added for identification at abattoirs or feedlots.
Gunnedah Stock and Station Agents Association was billed for the contractor's delivery and branding costs each week at an agreed cost per head, police claim.
Following investigations by rural crime detectives, Jones was charged with the fraud offences.
The Gunnedah Stock and Station Agents Association declined to comment on the investigation after Jones was charged when contacted by Australian Community Media (ACM).
This story first appeared on the Northern Daily Leader.
