AN alleged farm stock fraudster charged with stealing nearly $280,000 worth of farm supplies from a local business over an eight-year period will face a one-day committal hearing in October.

The 60-year-old is facing 157 charges of stealing, obtaining property by deception and falsifying tax and payment documents from Everton Fuel and Farm (EFF) from 2013 to 2021.

The accused appeared at Wangaratta Magistrates’ Court last week, sitting silently on the crossbench as the matter was adjourned for a one-day committal hearing on 16 October.

The court heard three witnesses were sought to take part in the hearing.

Police are accusing the alleged fraudster of taking copious amounts of farm supplies including sheep and cattle feed, fencing equipment, crop, wire, gate sets, generators, batteries, fertiliser, seeds, vaccines and hardware.

He also allegedly took supplies from dog, cat and fish food, to boots, socket sets and various household items.

Police allege the man utilised false bank accounts to fraudulently pay for the stock.

The first of the alleged thefts took place between 23 September and 10 October, 2013, when the accused allegedly stole $432 worth of hardware items from the business.

Alleged farm stock thefts progressively increased in value according to the charges, as he allegedly began utilising false accounts.

Transactions of stock reached as much as $10,407 in a single charge, which was alleged to have occured across June 2015.

In one instance in August 2018, the man allegedly bought 30 large round rolls and 200 squares of hay belonging to the Everton Hall and Sports Complex for $3350 with EFF funds.

He also allegedly paid off personal debts using $2601 of business funds.

He was formally charged with the offending on 28 August, 2024 following an extensive police investigation.