The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has appealed the prison sentences given to two con artists who defrauded the owners of a motel out of nearly $3 million.
The DPP argues that the sentences for David Stakic and Apostolos Lapatis were “manifestly inadequate.”
Stakic, 72, and Lapatis, 54, swindled the owners of Fawkner Airport Motor Inn, Robin and Roslyn Nagorcka, of $2.9 million between December 2013 and January 2018, claiming the money was needed to fund a secret court case.
Stakic was sentenced in September 2024 to a minimum of 20 months and a maximum of two-and-a-half years for obtaining property by deception.
Lapatis received a minimum sentence of three years and two months, with a maximum of four years and nine months.
During an appeal hearing in the Court of Appeal on Monday, Stakic argued his sentence was fair, citing his age, early guilty plea, lack of prior convictions, and the delays in his case.
Lapatis also defended his sentence, stating that the judge had considered the significant delays in his case, his admissions to the police, and his positive rehabilitation prospects.
Both men requested the court dismiss the appeal, with judgment reserved.
Source: Herald Sun.
