Luke Sparke to face fresh fraud trial after mistrial

A mistrial has been declared in the fraud case of Gold Coast filmmaker Luke Sparke, who faces 17 counts of fraud in Brisbane’s District Court. Judge Glen Cranny discharged the jury on the second day of evidence after the prosecution introduced late evidence. While the defense argued for a dismissal, the judge ruled there was no improper conduct and ordered a fresh trial to be scheduled for a later date.

Sparke, 42, has pleaded not guilty to charges involving offences allegedly committed between February 2017 and November 2019. The prosecution alleges that Sparke secured loans for film production by providing personal guarantees while failing to disclose his status as a bankrupt.

During the proceedings, accountant Terence Rose testified that Sparke-aligned companies faced significant debt, stating that liabilities reached approximately $17 million at one stage. If convicted, Sparke faces a potential prison sentence of up to five years for non-disclosure of bankruptcy when obtaining credit exceeding $3,000.