Yarwood moves to Victoria

FORMER Meter Maids boss and struck-off lawyer Michael Yarwood has moved to Melbourne, purportedly to avoid a barrister he claims made threats.

Mr Yarwood did not appear in the Southport Magistrates Court yesterday in relation to two separate matters.

The first includes two charges from the Legal Services Commission that he took money to act as lawyer despite being struck off in 2015.

In the second, Mr Yarwood and his wife Jacqueline claim to have both lodged peace and good behaviour applications against barrister Christopher Garlick. Mr Garlick denies the allegations.

Mr Garlick has been acting as a “corporate doctor” for Joseph “Will the Wrecker” Smith in a Supreme Court action with Mr Yarwood.

The Bulletin yesterday reported that a complicated legal matter was brewing between Mr Smith and Mr Yarwood about the wrecking business.

Mr Yarwood claims Mr Smith owes him $2 million while Mr Smith has launched a counterclaim alleging Mr Yarwood siphoned off his money for his own gain.

Mr Yarwood’s lawyer, Michael Gatenby of Gatenby Lawyers, said the peace and good behaviour applications related to an instance in which Mr Garlick tried to gain access to the cars Mr Smith had at a wrecking yard.

Mr Smith leased the land off Adrian Fuller. Speaking outside court, Mr Gatenby said the allegations included that Mr Garlick used his “size and bulk” to intimidate Mr Yarwood and other workers.

Mrs Yarwood’s claim against Mr Garlick alleges he repeatedly sent threatening emails to her.

Mr Garlick denies the allegations. “I am a barrister-atlaw, I do not conduct myself in that way,” he said.

Mr Garlick said he had not been served with the peace and good behaviour application prior to the court appearance.

The matter was adjourned to August 27.

In a separate courtroom, Mr Yarwood was to face charges of acting as a solicitor while not admitted to the Supreme Court. It is alleged by the Legal Services Commission these charges took place between May 23 and June 22, 2016, and February 5 and October 28, 2017.

The Legal Services Commission is yet to provide the court or Mr Yarwood with further details of the allegations.

Mr Gatenby asked for Mr Yarwood’s appearance to be excused because he had moved to Melbourne. He said he and his family felt threatened.

The matter will return court on October 8. to