SA cult member admits court breaches

AAP, Australia/April 15, 2013

A former doomsday cult member listed as a missing person for almost three years has admitted breaching court conditions when he fled South Australia.

After making his admissions on Monday, John Mouhalos walked from the District Court with his lawyer.

It was in stark contrast to his appearance on Friday, after which he sprinted from the building.

The Adelaide businessman, now 55, was reported as a missing person days after police raided properties linked to the religious sect, Agape Ministries, in May 2010.

On Friday, he was granted bail after being extradited from Victoria on a warrant for breaching the conditions of the suspended sentence imposed on him in April 2010 for assault and firearms charges.

His lawyer Cormac McCarron said on Friday Mouhalos fled the state to avoid media attention following the Agape raids.

"He wanted to keep out of the limelight," he said.

"He didn't let anyone know where he was except other members of the church."

On Monday, Mouhalos admitted breaching residence, employment and supervision conditions of his good behaviour bond.

Sentencing submissions were adjourned to Friday.

The judge will have to determine whether the bond breach was serious enough to warrant Mouhalos being ordered to serve the jail term which was suspended.

Agape Ministries leader Rocco Leo, who fled to Fiji, had told followers they must move to Vanuatu before the end of the world, which he predicted would happen in 2012.

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