A BIPOLAR sufferer who faces more than 40 charges, including defrauding a bank and betting giants of almost $3 million, has been released on bail in Tamworth Local Court.
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Justin Luke Yianakis, 40, has been released to the care of a psychiatrist at Toronto Hospital after he appeared in court.
Magistrate Julie Soars made it clear that Yianakis was not to have access to a mobile phone or the internet while on strict bail conditions.
"I will release him into the custody of his wife and he is to travel in her direct company to Toronto Hospital," she said.
"He cannot operate a mobile phone; it does appear he's used the internet to commit these offences, so he is not to access the internet using any device.
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"At this stage I am satisfied these matters will go to the district court. Mr Yianakis cannot go to any international points of departure."
Yianakis is charged with a slew of fraud and dishonesty offences, involving betting giants CrownBet and Ladbrokes as well as Macquarie Telecom and the National Australia Bank.
Police allege Yianakis attempted to defraud a bank, using fake cheques to obtain $2.9 million on July 13, 2018, at Gunnedah.
Yianakis operated false companies and used several fake identities to obtain telecommunication items, money and bitcoin for several companies in NSW, Queensland and Victoria, police allege.
He then on-sold the goods and presented false cheques to gambling companies, police claim, and is believed to have then used valueless cheques to buy bitcoin and on-sell it for profit.
The frauds allegedly took place between January 2019 and date back to 2017 in Gunnedah.
Yianakis defence solicitor Jack Tyler-Stott argued that detaining his client further would be more onerous for him given his mental condition.
"It's actually a mental illness and quite a significant one requiring treatment," he said.
"We have a letter from his wife that describes a decline in his mental health. While she is not medically qualified, she has been married to the man for around seven years and known him prior to then.
Do your best to make sure there is no further offending on bail.
- Magistrate Julie Soars
"The thrust of my submission is he is mentally ill, he is not receiving the treatment required and there is treatment available to him."
The police prosecutor raised concerns about bail given the charges faced by Yianakis were serious.
Magistrate Julie Soars granted Yianakis bail on strict conditions.
"Do your best to make sure there is no further offending on bail," she said.
The matter will return to court in May.
Madeline Link
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
