Private eyes committed for trial

A trio accused of defrauding a Sunshine Coast woman out of money to conduct a bug sweep of her house have been committed for trial at a later date in the Maroochydore Magistrates court.

It is alleged that the two female private investigators and a son of one of them used the fact that the 55-year-old woman believed her house was bugged to convince her to pay $85 per hour for the bug sweep by producing a fake listening device to confirm her suspicions.

Noosa Heads’ Kathleen Joan Kitchner, 53, and Lake Cooroibah’s Corinne Martell, 46, ran a private investigation business called Private Eyes 007. They have been charged with entering a home to commit an offence, and fraud by dishonestly obtaining a sum of money

Ms Martell was also charged with attempted fraud. Her son, Shane Martell of Ringtail Creek, was charged with entering the dwelling and fraud.

Police allege the 24-year-old climbed into the roof of the Highview Avenue home to produce the fake listening device.

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