A Melbourne insurance broker has appeared in court charged with stealing more than $675,000 of clients’ premiums.

Bruce Wickett, of Carnegie, faced Melbourne Magistrates’ Court last week on three charges of theft totalling $675,120.78 between August 2010 and March last year.

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) alleges he stole insurance premiums held on behalf of 228 clients. It says the premiums were due to various insurers that covered the clients.

Mr Wickett was not required to enter a plea and will appear in court again on December 20.

Each charge, under section 74 of the Victorian Crimes Act, carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in jail.

ASIC says Mr Wickett was the sole director of Wickett Investments Pty Ltd and Wickett Insurance Broking Pty Ltd at the time of the alleged offences.