THE father of children with terminal Batten’s disease claims an alleged charity fraudster in Bendigo failed to keep his “promises” to help the family with various travel and accommodation needs.
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Christopher Ellingburg, 49, and co-accused Luke Riddick and Bradley Millick appeared at a committal hearing in the Bendigo Magistrates’ Court on Thursday where they continue to fight the charges relating to alleged conspiracy to defraud.
It is alleged the trio ran charity stalls at supermarkets across Bendigo to fundraise for terminal children, but the funds were never passed on to the families.
Robert Spark was one of their alleged victims. He gave evidence to the court on Thursday.
He met Ellingburg while he was at a charity stall in front of Epsom Village Shopping Centre in 2015, where they spoke about Mr Spark’s daughter’s fight against Batten’s disease. Mr Spark’s son also has the condition.
Ellingburg gave the family $250 cash, a book of movie tickets and a $100 Pizza Hut voucher.
He also promised to pay the family’s $530 funeral excess following the death of Mr Spark’s daughter, but the family claims they had to “chase Christopher down” and did not receive the money for nine months.
Mr Spark also alleged Mr Ellingburg promised to fund accommodation and transport costs for their drive to Sydney, but failed to do so.
Two fundraisers for the family failed to eventuate.
Barbara Elvey rented out a furnished house in Kennington to the three accused in 2016, and alleges they stole a large queen timber bed, mattress, double bed frame, a new television and DVD player when they moved out in early 2017.
She alleged they caused $10,000 in damage to the house, including a smashed window and carpet that had to be replaced.
VCAT ordered the accused pay back rent owed but they were yet to do so, Ms Elvey told the court.
Detective Sergeant Colin Grenfell alleged the amount of money flowing into Ellingburg’s bank accounts “did not equate” to the gifts he was providing the families of terminally ill children.
He claimed Ellingburg could only identify Mr Spark as a person who had benefited from his charitable work.
“I was wanting to know where the money went,” Detective Sergeant Grenfell said.
The committal hearing continues in Bendigo on Friday.