Brenton Robert Jarrett used The Border Mail’s classifieds section from December to advertise the sale of iPhones and also placed ads online.

But police told a bail hearing in Albury yesterday, eight people who transferred sums ranging from $500 to $660 to Jarrett’s bank account never got their mobile phones.

Jarrett, 42, appeared in court yesterday on multiple charges of obtaining financial advantage by deception in December and January and was allowed conditional bail.

Jarrett has a long history of fraud offences in both NSW and Victoria.

In 1997, he was arrested at Crown Casino pretending to be Daniel Depp, Johnny Depp’s brother.

A year later he racked up hotel and restaurant expenses in Adelaide as he passed himself off as American actor Skeet Ulrich, star of Scream.

He did not face criminal charges after agreeing to repay his debts. 

In 2007 he pleaded guilty in Queensland to multiple fraud charges over a 2006 Ulrich impersonation.

In 2009 in Melbourne, he was allegedly purporting to be Alfred Hitchcock’s grandson in a scam police believed he invented to meet and seduce women.

Police prosecutor Sgt Shannon Lewis told registrar Paul Barber that Jarrett’s ongoing commission of offences was a concern.

“He’s been convicted of indictable matters and he comes before the court on indictable matters,” she said in opposing bail.

But duty solicitor Sue Robey said Jarrett had a long history of bi-polar disorder and his offending was linked to those times when his treatment and medication were “not stable”.

She said he had family support.

His mother and stepfather attended his court appearance yesterday.

Jarrett’s mother agreed to lodge a $1000 surety and told Mr Barber her son would reside at her Howlong home while on bail.

Mr Barber granted bail but imposed a 7pm to 7am curfew on Jarrett, with conditions he also report to police.

The matter will return to the Albury Local Court on Monday.