Bookkeeper goes to the wall after $600,000 court loss to Baird Group

A FORMER bookkeeper to companies headed by veteran Gold Coast businessman David Baird has been bankrupted in the wake of a $600,000 loss in court.

Christine Loudon, 63, was sued by two Baird companies in April over alleged unauthorised payments.

Ms Loudon (aka Christine Mary Page) defended the actions but judgment was issued against her by Justice Rackemann in the District Court, Southport, last month.

She was ordered to pay a total of $606,000 to the Baird Group and European Aviation, along with their costs.

She subsequently has been declared bankrupt, with Nick Combis, of Vincents, Brisbane, appointed as trustee.

The claims against Ms Loudon related to her time on the staff of a Baird Group Southport car-wholesaling business between 2004 and 2013.

Baird Group subsidiary European Aviation claimed damages from Ms Loudon for alleged negligence. Ms Loudon defended the actions.

Baird Group principal Mr Baird and wife Marion own one of the Gold Coast’s biggest homes, a Cronin Island mansion built for former Daikyo boss Shuji Yokoyama.

More than a decade ago Mr Baird and son Matthew sold their telco, Cellular One, to the AAPT group for well in excess of $20 million.

Mr Baird’s other activities since he retired to the Gold Coast from Melbourne in 1986 have included being an importer of Ram golf equipment and Hyundai golf carts, a wholesaler of Nike golf apparel, Queensland importer of Bayliner and other boats, and a motor dealer selling RollsRoyce, Bentley, Lamborghini, Citroen and Alfa Romeo cars.