AN ARMIDALE conveyancer accused of masterminding a multi-million-dollar investment fraud has been granted bail in the NSW Supreme Court.
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Sandra Henri Edmonds was released on Wednesday by a Sydney judge after more than a year behind bars on dozens of fraud allegations.
Edmonds, now 58, will have to abide by 16 strict conditions as part of the bail, including an internet and email ban, imposed by Justice David Davies.
She is also banned from owning or using a smart phone, but can use a mobile if she provides the number to police. She must agree not to contact prosecution witnesses or three others named in court documents, including a woman charged by Strike Force Amaranthus.
The strike force is an operation by Armidale detectives.
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It alleged at the time of Edmonds' arrest that she pocketed in excess of $2.1 million from 20 different people between 2014 and 2018, some of whom are in Armidale.
Edmonds is accused of operating the investment scam involving the sale of company shares.
Detectives allege Edmonds falsely represented an investment opportunity to victims and deceived them into handing over sums of cash before using the money for personal use.
After a long investigation that culminated in her arrest in July 2018, detectives claim Edmonds deceived victims of $2.1 million.
She faces 40 counts of dishonestly obtaining advantage by deception and was committed for trial in July.
The trial, which the court previously heard was a strong Crown case, is expected to run for 12 weeks and will be heard in Sydney's Downing Centre District Court.
As part of her bail, Edmonds will live at an address in Armidale under a nighttime curfew.
A couple had to post $172,000 in surety from an Armidale property to secure her release; and a Rocky River property, worth $70,000, was also posted as surety by a third person.
Justice Davies also ordered Edmonds "not to engage in any communications about DSJSE Pty Ltd to shareholders of DSJSE Pty Ltd or potential investors in the above company" and she must "resign all positions as director or officer of companies with which she is connected".
She must report to Armidale police three times a week; surrender her passport and all travel documents; and not leave NSW or approach any departure point.
Breanna Chillingworth
Northern Daily Leader Senior Crime and Court Reporter
Northern Daily Leader Senior Crime and Court Reporter
