Investor hurls abuse at Bryers in court

Mark Bryers says he owes $173m. Photo / Paul Estcourt

Blue Chip co-founder Mark Bryers was abused as he arrived at the Auckland District Court yesterday for the latest hearing into criminal charges against him.

"I hope you feel good putting me out on the street, boy. I've got two kids," yelled burnt Blue Chip investor Anthony Collingwood as Bryers waited with his lawyer outside Court Three.

Bryers is charged with about 60 offences following the collapse of the Blue Chip property investment scheme last year.

The Registrar of Companies initially brought twice that number, but half were dropped in March after missing books and records relating to the case were found in Bryers' offices.

In August he pleaded guilty to three charges and has yet to be sentenced.

Judge Elizabeth Aitken allowed photography but otherwise banned media coverage of yesterday's fixture, saying it was standard for the details of a status hearing to be suppressed so lawyers could speak candidly with the aim of seeking a resolution.

The matter was remanded until February 18 for another status hearing.

Bryers was bankrupted in October, but despite his bankrupt status is permitted to travel between New Zealand and Australia.

By his own estimation he owes $173 million and claims his only assets are his clothes, furniture and a set of golf clubs.

Mr Collingwood is one of a group of investors seeking to get out of buying apartments they have been left responsible for following the Blue Chip collapse.