A "committal trial" ("depositions hearing") was held from 2 - 19th February 2009, at Melbourne's Magistrate's court, Victoria, Australia during which 36 witnesses were examined by Gabrial Pennicott's barrister - Jim Kennan (ex Victorian Attorney General, of Rob Stary & Associates, Melbourne), and Jan Li (Lum Lee's) barrister - Mr. Strong. Mark Gibson prosecuted for the Department of Public Prosecutions ("D.P.P.") on behalf of A.S.I.C.
The Australian Securities & Investment Commission ("ASIC") website:
http://www.asic.gov.au notes the following:
"09-23AD Gabrial Neil Pennicott and Jan Li committed to stand trial
Friday 20 February 2009
Mr Gabrial Neil Pennicott of Mermaid Waters, Queensland and Ms Jan Li of Blackburn South, Victoria, yesterday appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court and were committed to stand trial in the Melbourne County Court.
Mr Pennicott was committed to stand trial on all 47 charges laid by ASIC under the Corporations Act and Victorian Crimes Act. Mr Pennicott entered a plea of not guilty to all charges and is currently on bail.
Ms Li was committed to stand trial on all six charges laid by ASIC. Ms Li pleaded not guilty to all charges and is currently on bail.
A case conference for Mr Pennicott and Ms Li in the Melbourne County Court was set for 30 April 2009.
The Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions is prosecuting the matter.
Background
Please refer to previous ASIC media releases 07-112, 07-342, 08-03 for further details in relation to the above matter"5 witnesses flew to Melbourne from Queensland; 4 flew in from Perth in Western Australia; whilst one - Pennicott's ex "P.A." was examined by video conference from London; one family - a husband & wife and their 2 adult sons were examined, amongst many other couples & single victims. Other witnesses included A.S.I.C. officials, company directors, and forensic accountants. All witnesses against Pennicott & Li turned up. There were none for Pennicott & Li.
The future county court trial is expected to last a minimum of 2 months, and is likely to be timetabled after the upcoming case conference on 30 April 2009. The trial itself is likely to take place around July 2010, when either 58 or 63 witnesses will be called against Pennicott & Li.
Dozens of victims from whom Pennicott stole sums ranging from $675,000, $500,000, and $330,000, $250,000, etc, down to lesser amounts of $3,300, are celebrating.
This trial does not, however, address the concerns of victims of Pennicott's other scams such as the seperate Rapid Mobile Phone Charger ("R.M.P.C.") scam; the Wine Purchase scam; the Vehicle Purchasing scam; The Property Purchase scam; the Short Term Financing Scam, etc.
Serve Legal documents via Pennicott's lawyers: Rob Stary & Associates - Melbourne.