A Tamworth licensee already facing charges of indecency and perverting the course of justice has been slapped with a new offence by licensing police.
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Michael Ian Foxman was due to front Tamworth Local Court on Wednesday morning but did not appear, the court told he had severed ties with his barrister.
Foxman is the licensee of the Imperial Hotel on Marius Street and now faces six charges in respect of three cases.
Agent solicitor Garry Johnston said he had instructions to represent Foxman on behalf of a Sydney solicitor, but there was "some confusion" on possible pleas that may have been entered already to two existing cases.
"My principal's concerns are - or confusion - in respect of pleas," he told the court.
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"[They're] all pleas of not guilty," magistrate Julie Soars replied immediately, examining the court papers.
The two cases were scheduled to be heard at a hearing set for next week, but that's been abandoned.
It was first mentioned in an out-of-sessions hearing in court late on Tuesday afternoon, after Foxman and barrister Bruce Donnelly parted ways.
On Wednesday, Ms Soars said the hearing matters had been adjourned for mention later this month, but there was "one matter before the court today": a fresh charge of development not according with consent.
According to court documents, Foxman is accused of furnishing the entertainment area in contravention of the development consent at the hotel between 7pm on June 14 and 12.30am on June 15.
Mr Johnston asked for the case to be adjourned before any plea was entered but said they would negotiate with prosecutors.
"Representations will commence immediately," he said.
Foxman remains on bail. As part of his conditions, he is prohibited from discussing the case on social media or contacting any prosecution witnesses.
In September, the same magistrate in the same court gave him a formal warning for a breach, the court told he made a social media post on the matter.
The 49-year-old was first charged in June by the Oxley police licensing unit.
Police will allege the licensee permitted indecency on the licensed premises between 7pm on June 14 and 12.30am the next day.
He's also accused of refusing or failing to comply with a request made of the person under this part of the act, without a lawful excuse, in connection to CCTV, between June 27 and July 11.
In the other matter before the court, Foxman is accused of acting with intent to influence a witness and two charges of intimidation.
He was charged on July 23, after he was arrested at Tamworth police station, after further investigations.
Police will allege he had a telephone conversation intending to persuade a man - who was to be called as a witness in judicial proceedings - to give false evidence or withhold true evidence.
Foxman is then accused of intimidating that man, and another, with the intention of causing physical or mental harm, between 10am and 3pm on July 7.
Breanna Chillingworth
Northern Daily Leader Senior Crime and Court Reporter
Northern Daily Leader Senior Crime and Court Reporter
