Andrew Spira: Sad downfall of ABC chief Ita Buttrose’s millionaire nephew is laid bare after ‘drug-induced psychosis’ lands him in court

The aspiring millionaire cousin of ABC chairman Ita Buttrose has told a court he is back on track after a “drug-induced psychosis” landed him in court in two states for fraud.

Andrew Spira, 25, pleaded guilty late last year to dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception after using stolen credit card details to book a bed and breakfast in NSW’s Hunter Valley.

Just days later, Spira was arrested by Darwin police on May 22 while trying to flee the country on a fake passport to establish an armed militia in Southeast Asia. He was later convicted in an NT court.

During sentencing on Thursday, defense lawyer Samir Karnib said Spira, the son of Sydney socialite Elizabeth Buttrose, was heavily influenced by a range of drugs at the time of both offences.

“He was in a drug-induced psychosis… The key point of the crime is that he was influenced by a significant amount of drugs which had a major impact on his actions,” Mr Karnib said.

‘He calls it his own self-destruction, he had no reason to do what he did. He thought someone was chasing him. He can’t change what happened, but he completely regrets it.’

Mr Karnib told the court that Spira had little memory of the time of the offence, but he had made a full refund ‘within the hour’ of receiving the property’s bank details.

Court documents reveal Spira and his partner had organized to spend the night at Mala Rretreat in Louth Park, north of Newcastle, and were captured on CCTV entering the property.

Spira’s partner later arranged for the couple to spend another night in the bed over breakfast, but was told their payment had been declined. She apologized and said she would ‘arrange payment’.

Later that afternoon, the owner was contacted by a woman claiming her details had been fraudulently used to pay for accommodation and immediately contacted local NSW Police.

Spira is the cousin of ABC chairman Ita Buttrose (photo)

But before they could arrive, Spira and his partner left the remote bed and breakfast in a private taxi before flying to the Northern Territory, leaving behind a full bill of $948.10.

A search of Spira’s phone after his arrest revealed messages between the millionaire and an “unknown entity” who provided the banking details used to book the accommodation.

At sentencing, Magistrate Julie Zaki told the court that psychological reports submitted during both cases detailed Spira’s long-term mental health problems, including complex PTSD.

Ms Zaki said it was “to his credit” that Spira had sobered up after his two months in custody in the NT, but ruled against an attempt by Mr Karnib to settle the case with a fine.

She sentenced Spira to a 12-month community corrections order, in addition to an existing good behavior bond for the NT charges. He will also have to continue mental health care.

Court documents reveal that Spira (pictured right) and his partner had arranged to spend the night at the bed and breakfast, but their payment was declined