A former bank employee has won a victory as she prepares to fight allegations that she used her position to defraud banks.
Divorce, bankruptcy, citizenship issues – these are all things that can land you in court. But not all courts are created equal.
Police accuse Sarah Daisley of opening accounts under fictitious names and embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars between February 2016 and December 2018.
She allegedly transferred money into her bank account under a false name and used the ill-gotten gains to fund a lavish lifestyle.
The 32-year-old is also accused of making fraudulent loan applications to St George Bank and ANZ Bank.
Sarah Daisley is accused of bank fraud. Photo: NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard
She pleaded not guilty to a staggering 120 charges, including dealing with the proceeds of crime and 108 counts of obtaining financial advantage dishonestly by deception.
On Monday, Ms. Daisley’s lawyer asked the court for permission to open a new bank account in her name as she prepares to fight the claims against her.
As part of her strict release conditions, the former bank employee is prohibited from dealing with any financial institution except a bank account held in her name.
The Public Prosecution did not object to her request to be allowed to open another bank account.
Judge Mark Williams granted the application, ordering Ms Daisley to provide details of the new bank account to police within 24 hours of opening it.
The former bank employee faces 120 charges. Photo: NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard
She will defend herself in a trial later this year. Photo: NewsWire/Nikki Short
Court documents show the 32-year-old remains subject to strict bail conditions, including a ban on working in finance.
She personally agreed to forfeit $550,000 if she did not appear in court, while two people who know her offered an additional $1.5 million in bond to ensure her appearance.
Ms Daisley is due back in court next week for a hearing on the disputed issues before the trial in the NSW District Court in September.
She also faces civil proceedings brought by Westpac Bank in relation to the alleged fraud.
