Ex-mortgage broker abused by former clients

File photo / NZ Herald

A former mortgage broker, who is on bail for fraud charges, has been harassed by former clients every time she reports to police, a court heard today.

Kerry Buddle, who turns 32 tomorrow, was attending a status hearing at Lower Hutt District Court on four counts of obtaining motel accommodation by deception.

The Kapiti Coast woman's lawyer, Bill Johnson, told Judge Stephen Harrop she would elect to go to trial on all charges.

Mr Johnson asked if the bail clause requiring Buddle - now living with her parents - to report once a week to police could be dropped.

Every time she showed up at the Kapiti station she was "abused by locals", Mr Johnson said.

It was "apparently common internet knowledge" where Buddle was living and when she reported under her bail conditions, Mr Johnson claimed. This was increasing the harassment from some people.

"Although these charges are relatively serious they are not the most serious of their kind," he said. "We are only talking about $2000 all up."

Buddle had surrendered her passport and had not breached any of her bail conditions.

Prosecuting Sergeant Graeme Burr said police objected to removing the reporting clause completely.

However, Judge Harrop deleted it, saying he did not believe reporting was necessary and did not regard her as a flight risk.

The alleged abuse was "unfortunate", the judge said, remanding Buddle until November 29 for pre-trial disclosure.

The charges relate to allegedly giving bogus credit card details for motel accommodation in Lower Hutt in June.

They are not related to a police investigation which started last December into multiple complaints related to her former work as a mortgage broker.

It has been alleged that Buddle owes about $2.5 million.

Her occupation is now listed as sales manager.