Behind bars for allegedly posing as a doctor, Matthew Murdoch’s next grand idea was allegedly claiming he worked at a medical pet care business.
The 54-year-old Sydney man previously known as Matthew John Mills and Doctor Reverend Matt John Peter Murdoch failed in his latest bid for release on Tuesday.
The NSW Supreme Court was told Murdoch had been behind bars for 11 months after being charged with doing an act intending to pervert the course of justice.
That charge stemmed from a July 2020 bail hearing in which he tendered five documents, including a purported employment contract from Medi PetCare Australia and a letter from the Barangaroo business’s management.
A document used to support of deleting his curfew mentioned Murdoch needed to spend time with his four children and their families.
But police were unable to find any evidence of Medi PetCare at the given address and were told by Murdoch’s son Murdoch was estranged from all his children.
He had earlier been bailed on dishonesty charges, related to him presenting himself as Dr Charlie J McPherson, a clinical psychiatrist and a psychologist.
Undercover policing was used to catch him, the court was told.
Business records show Murdoch is a director of Birchfield Investments, which has traded as Medi PetCare, Doc Fixit, Dr Charlie’s Angels and NRMA Nations Remedy Maintenance Assist at various times since 2019.
His LinkedIn also lists several businesses and a psychology degree purportedly obtained from the University of Melbourne.
Murdoch’s bail application on Tuesday came from concern he would lose his public housing in Hamilton South in Newcastle if he remained in custody much longer, his lawyer said.
He also had health issues, including anxiety and the effects of childhood trauma.
But Justice Peter Johnson said Murdoch’s apparent capacity to create false documents and alleged false statements to a court was the “principal difficulty” in granting bail.
Murdoch could also live with his NSW-based father post-release.
“In my view, the prosecution case is strong,” he said.
Murdoch will remain in custody ahead of his next appearance in Newcastle Local Court on September 1.
A full hearing is expected on December 13.
AAP
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