Daniel Hasapis faces sentence hearing over fatal Wyong bashing of Sean Froggatt

The heartbroken family of a Central Coast man who was savagely beaten to death inside a Wyong unit have told a court how the brutal murder has shattered their lives and left them haunted by his final moments.

Daniel Hasapis was found guilty of murdering Sean Froggat.

The heartbroken family of a Central Coast man who was savagely beaten to death inside a Wyong unit have told a court how the brutal murder has shattered their lives and left them haunted by his final moments.

Daniel Paul Hasapis, of Wyong, faced the NSW Supreme Court in Sydney on Thursday for a sentence hearing after he was found guilty of murdering Sean Froggatt by Justice Natalie Adams in February this year.

On 27 January 2023, Hasapis unleashed a brutal assault on Mr Froggatt, believing he had stolen items and drugs from his home in Wyong.

Two women, Bonnie Cullen and Mariana Taitoko, were at Hasapis’ house on Levitt Street, Wyong, at the time of the offence.

Ms Cullen was in an unstable relationship with Hasapis, while Ms Taitoko was staying a few blocks away.

Sean Froggatt, was the victim of a brutal assault which lead to his death.

Mr Froggatt had gone to Hasapis’ unit to supply the two women with cannabis and smoke some of it on the afternoon of January 27, 2023.

Hasapis, who was in Sydney buying ice at the time, returned to his unit and became angry when he believed items were missing.

7-5 Levitt street Wyong, a housing commission block where the murder took place. Picture: John Grainger

He invited Mr Froggatt to come over, claiming he wanted to speak to him about the missing items.

Hasapis then launched a furious assault on Mr Froggatt, leaving him with more than 70 injuries which resulted in his death.

A family member of Mr Froggatt, told the court their loss has left a permanent void in their lives.

“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,” the family member said.

Detectives at a housing commission block where the murder was discovered. Picture John Grainger

“The most haunting aspect is imagining Sean’s final moments, what he must have felt and endured.

“These thoughts intrude without warning, even during moments of happiness.

“The cruelty and inhumanity of the assault inflicted by Mr Hasapis is impossible to forget or reconcile.

“Mr Hasapis’ actions have left a permanent scar on our family history.

“We hope Mr Hasapis lives out his days in guilty shame, paying the highest price for his actions.”

Sean Froggatt was found bashed to death inside a Wyong unit.

Hasapis’ lawyer, Madeleine Avenell, told the court there was a degree of repetition in her client’s conduct and said he did not intend to seriously injure Mr Froggatt from the outset.

“As the assault went on, a higher level of intent developed. He only intended to assault him until he got the answers,” she said.

“In a person who’s not particularly intelligent, it’s perhaps unsurprising that in his early teen years he drifted into anti-social peers and drug use.

“He’s put his head down and wants to make the best of his time in custody. Combined with the fact he will be significantly older when he is released, there are some signs of rehabilitation prospects.”

The housing commission block of units located at 7-5 Levitt st Wyong. Picture: John Grainger

Crown prosecutor Lee Carr told the court the assault was not a spontaneous event.

“The evidence at trial was that the accused came home that afternoon and was concerned about several factors, whether some of his ice was missing, and some of his property,” Mr Carr said.

He said there was a degree of planning involved, as Hasapis had phoned Mr Froggatt’s carer and asked him to come over to interrogate him.

“What happens is, he is ushered into that second bedroom, where the assault begins.

“There was certainly a degree of planning to get him there and to use violence to get the answers he was seeking.”

Hasapis will be sentenced next week.