Consultant fails to keep passport
AN immigration consultant yesterday failed to persuade a magistrate to allow him to keep his passport after he was charged with three counts of deception.
Aaron Nattrass, 34, objected to the Crown's application for his New Zealand passport to be surrendered when he first appeared in Eastern Court on April 6.
Magistrate Ian Carlson yesterday ruled that Nattrass must surrender his passport but he was allowed to leave Hong Kong on condition that 24 hours' notice and an itinerary were given to the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC).
Nattrass was also told that if he left the territory his bail term would be increased to $60,000 cash, $40,000 own recognisance, and $100,000 surety and that his passport should be given back to the ICAC within 24 hours of his return.
Nattrass handed over his passport to the prosecutor, Kevin Zervos.
Nattrass had allegedly dishonestly obtained a total of $80,500 from three people between May 1988 and June 1989 by falsely representing that he would provide a permanent job for them in New Zealand.
He was granted bail of $10,000 cash, $90,000 on his own recognisance and $100,000 surety after he was charged on March 31 and bail was extended.
Nattrass will reappear in Eastern Court on April 20.
