Wyong: Alleged ‘Ice Palace’ murderer Daniel Hasapis to face Supreme Court trial after pleading not guilty

A man charged with the alleged kidnapping of a woman and murder of another man at a public housing complex colloquially known as the “Ice Palace” has entered pleas. Read the details.

Daniel Hasapis (left) has been charged with the murder of Sean Froggatt (right) while Hasapis' girlfriend Bonnie Cullen (middle) has been charged with concealing a serious offence. Picture: supplied

A man will face trial in the NSW Supreme Court after pleading not guilty to kidnapping a woman and murdering another man at Wyong last year.

Daniel Paul Hasapis, 31, of Wyong, appeared via video link at Wyong Local Court on Tuesday where he pleaded not guilty to murder and kidnapping in company with intent to commit a serious indictable offence.

He has also indicated his innocence to a further five allegations of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, which were placed on a certificate as related charges and will be dealt with at the conclusion of his trial.

The Crown will allege in court Mr Hasapis detained a man and a woman at a public housing unit in Levitt St Wyong between 9.30pm on Friday, January 27, and 5.30pm on Saturday, January 28, last year.

It is alleged Mr Hasapis assaulted the pair and burned them with a jet cigarette lighter before the woman, identified in court documents as Mariana Taitoko, 44, managed to escape.

Levitt St, Wyong, housing commission block where the body of Mr Froggatt was discovered in a bedroom. Picture: John Grainger

Ms Taitoko was taken to Gosford Hospital where she was treated for burns to her chest and arms.

Police will further allege Ms Taitoko raised concerns about the welfare of her friend Sean Froggatt before his body was discovered hidden inside a bedroom of one of the units.

Forensic officers at the unit block in Wyong where the body of a man was located and a woman was allegedly kidnapped. Picture: Newscorp / Gaye Gerard

Mr Hasapis was arrested at the public housing unit block — dubbed by residents as the “Ice Palace” — a short time later and taken to Wyong Police Station where he was charged with Mr Foggatt’s murder and Ms Taitoko’s kidnapping.

He has remained in custody since.

His girlfriend of three months Bonnie Cullen, now 34, was arrested at a house at Charmain St, Watanobbi, about 10pm on Saturday, January 28, and charged with concealing a serious indictable offence.

Charge sheets tendered in court allege Ms Cullen was aware of information relating to the alleged murder of Mr Froggatt at the public housing unit but did not inform the police.

Sean Froggatt, 52, who was found bashed to death inside a Wyong unit. Picture: supplied

The former hairdresser from Queensland was also mentioned in Wyong Local Court on Tuesday where she was not required to appear if legally represented.

The court heard her matter was to be separated from Mr Hasapis’ and could potentially be finalised in the Local Court after another case conference between her lawyers and the Crown prosecutor.

She was adjourned to face court again on July 30 when she will be expected to enter a plea.

Meanwhile Ms Hasapis was adjourned to face arraignment in the Sydney Supreme Court on August 2.