Sydney District Court was told Clifton advised three clients to put a total of $1,050,000 into a trust that he used to pay off his personal and business debts.

Clifton, 52, of Salamander Bay, pleaded not guilty to five counts of fraudulently misappropriating funds from his clients.

Three counts relate to fraudulently misappropriating $600,000 at Dungog between September 28, 2001, and December 12, 2006.

Another count relates to $250,000 fraudulently misappropriated at Dungog, between September 18, 2001 and December 12, 2006.

The fifth count relates to $200,000 fraudulently misappropriated at Dungog between October 17, 2001, and December 12, 2006.

The money was from Bucketts Way Business Services, Tall Timbers and Lastelto superannuation funds.

Detective Mark Dixon from Hunter Central Command said 18 witnesses were called to testify over the four-week trial.

Clifton represented himself during the trial.

He was remanded in custody at Silverwater Jail last Tuesday and will be sentenced on February 12 next year.