A man accused of defrauding an elderly Canberra woman of nearly $280,000 has lashed out at journalists outside court, hitting one in the face and throwing another's bag onto the road.
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James Lawrence Michael Raftery fled through a fire exit to avoid media after he first appeared in the ACT Magistrates Court last month, but on Thursday he came out the front door in a rage.
He swore and made a beeline for a reporter's camera bag, which had been sitting on the edge of a garden, hurling it away and breaking a pair of glasses that were inside.
Mr Raftery then swung the large yellow envelope he was carrying, striking a journalist in the face.
A woman who was with him also ranted at reporters, who she said were "parasites" and "disgusting people" for covering the case and taking photographs of the man.
Mr Raftery is facing 22 fraud charges over allegations he deceptively obtained $278,459.20 from a Yarralumla woman during a four-month period in 2019.
The 89-year-old alleged victim is the same woman police claim was swindled out of $363,020 by computer technician Byung Uk Cho, who has indicated not guilty pleas to 27 fraud-related charges.
Mr Cho was granted bail in November after returning that money, but he continues to insist he did not steal it and that he was helping the woman with investments in South Korean real estate.
It is understood that Mr Raftery and Mr Cho have not been charged as co-defendants despite their common alleged victim.
It is also understood that the money Mr Raftery is accused of obtaining by deception is additional to the sum referred to in Mr Cho's charges.
This means the elderly Yarralumla woman is now alleged to have been conned out of a total of more than $640,000.
A few minutes prior to the dramatic scenes outside court on Thursday, Mr Raftery told Magistrate Beth Campbell that he was waiting for a grant of legal aid to be approved.
The magistrate told the defendant: "It's vital that you be represented, I think. You need some good quality advice."
Ms Campbell also formally charged Mr Raftery with three new driving offences allegedly committed in July last year.
He is yet to enter pleas to a total of 28 charges, including the 22 fraud offences.
Mr Raftery is on bail and is expected back in court on February 26.
