Where a key prosecution witness has significant credibility issues, a conviction may nonetheless be sustained if there is a substantial body of independent evidence from third parties corroborating the witness's account of the accused's knowledge and involvement. Steps taken in an application for bank finance, including the provision of false financial documents and attendance at meetings, constitute more than mere preparation for the offence of obtaining a financial advantage by deception, even where the application has not been finally determined by the bank. A sentence of 50 per cent of the doubled maximum under the continuing criminal enterprise provisions in pt 2B of the Sentencing Act 1991 (Vic) may be reasonably open where the attempted fraud involved $53 million.
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