A man who defrauded a remote Aboriginal community of almost $3 million has been sentenced to seven years in jail.

Craig Robert Dale had been contracted to build new homes, a clinic and a school in the remote Kimberley community of Warmun after it was struck by flooding in 2011.

While Dale completed those works, he also pocketed $2.77 million for works that were never completed.

Dale was charged in 2020 and had been due to stand trial, but later pleaded guilty to 14 counts of gaining benefit by fraud.

The 58-year-old was expected to be sentenced in March, but the court heard he had discharged his lawyer and the matter was delayed.

It was the second time he had forced his lawyer to withdraw on the eve of a sentencing date.

Judge David MacLean had told Dale he had a "bad habit" of dismi

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