THE NEW lawyer for Tamworth publican Michael Foxman has been asked to "reinforce" certain bail conditions to her client, including keeping off social media, during her first appearance in Tamworth Local Court.
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Foxman did not appear in court on Monday, but his new defence solicitor Ljupka Subeska appeared via video link to ask the magistrate for a short adjournment.
Ms Subeska told magistrate Peter Thompson she was engaged in all of the multiple matters Foxman had before the courts.
"I've been instructed on Friday ... I've just started to receive all the fact sheets slowly," she said during her appearance on Monday.
Foxman remains in a Sydney hospital, where he was taken for assessment following his arrest earlier this month, after he was found to have breached his bail by allegedly accessing social media.
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Mr Thompson told Ms Subeska that Foxman had been through "a number of legal representatives who no longer appeared on his behalf", including the latest whom Foxman recently fired.
"I understand that, Your Honour," Ms Subeska replied.
She asked the court to delay Foxman's matters in Tamworth Local Court so his medical assessment could be finalised and so she could "wrap [her] head around" his various matters.
"I must say I am concerned about delay in relation to these matters, they have an extensive history through almost all of last year, part of that is COVID related but ... most of it is not," Mr Thompson said.
"I am mindful of not shuffling the matters."
Police prosecutor Sergeant Matt Pawsey remained quiet through the proceedings, but told the court Foxman had made "further alleged breaches" to his bail, despite being in hospital.
Mr Thompson read the facts handed up by Sergeant Pawsey, and noted Ms Subeska had not yet seen them.
Mr Thompson told the court he was also aware of "a lengthy email" sent to the court that "should not have been".
He asked Ms Subeska to remind Foxman about certain conditions of his bail - including not to contact certain people and not to use social media platforms.
"I note here for Ms Subeska to reinforce the conditions not to use social media, I wish you luck in that regard," Mr Thompson said.
Mr Thompson said he had expected Foxman to have been released from hospital by his court date on Monday, and decided to adjourn the matters to March.
He said matters in which guilty pleas had been entered - which Foxman is trying to traverse - would be set down for sentencing at that time, but would likely be adjourned again.
There are also fresh charges against the 50-year-old Imperial Hotel owner, to which he has not been required to enter pleas.
Mr Thompson warned Foxman "may well be refused bail again" when he's out of hospital and back in police detention.
Foxman had been on strict bail conditions before his arrest earlier this month.
He represented himself at his last appearance in Tamworth Local Court, from where he was being held at Waverly Police Station, before he was sent to undergo a health assessment.