A Central Coast man has been sentenced to more than two decades behind bars after brutally murdering his neighbour and violently assaulting two women during a drug-fuelled rampage.
Daniel Paul Hasapis, of Wyong, appeared before the NSW Supreme Court in Sydney on Thursday, where Justice Natalie Adams handed down a 26-year aggregate sentence for the murder of 52-year-old Sean Froggatt and the assault of two women, Bonnie Cullen and Mariana Taitoko.
The court heard the violent spree unfolded over the Australia Day long weekend in January 2023, beginning at Hasapis’ unit on Levitt Street, Wyong, The Daily Telegraph reported.
On January 27, Hasapis launched a prolonged and brutal assault on Taitoko, accusing her of stealing from him. Over the course of several hours, he dragged her by the hair, struck her repeatedly, burned her with a lighter, and hit her in the head until she lost consciousness.
Later that day, Hasapis travelled to Wentworthville to purchase the drug ice, messaging Cullen—his partner at the time—not to let anyone into the flat. During his absence, Froggatt, a neighbour, visited the unit to supply cannabis and stayed to smoke with the women.
Upon returning and using ice, Hasapis became enraged when he believed items were missing. He spat on and punched Cullen, accusing her of being a sex worker. When she told him Froggatt had visited, Hasapis invited him back under the pretence of discussing the missing belongings.
Instead, he ambushed Froggatt, launching a frenzied assault that lasted approximately 30 minutes. The court heard Froggatt sustained more than 70 injuries during the attack, which was described as “severe, prolonged and involving gratuitous cruelty.”
During the fatal beating, Hasapis also struck the two women with a chain as he interrogated Froggatt.
Police were alerted after Taitoko returned home the next day with visible injuries, prompting a concerned friend to contact authorities. Officers attended the unit and discovered Froggatt’s body.
Justice Adams said the fatal assault was carried out against a defenceless man and reflected “a disturbing level of cruelty.”
Hasapis, who pleaded guilty to the assaults and was found guilty of murder earlier this year, will be eligible for parole on January 27, 2041.
During sentencing, a family member of Froggatt described the devastating impact of his death:
“For me personally, the initial shock gave way to overwhelming fear and anxiety. Being so close to such a violent crime shattered my sense of safety,” they said.
“The cruelty and inhumanity of the assault inflicted by Hasapis is impossible to forget or reconcile.”
