Wyong: Daniel Hasapis and Bonnie Cullen mentioned in Wyong Local Court over alleged murder of Sean Froggatt
A hairdresser charged with allegedly concealing a murder has sacked her private lawyer and has applied for taxpayer-funded Legal Aid instead, a court has heard.
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A hairdresser charged with allegedly concealing a murder has parted company with her private law firm and has applied for Legal Aid to represent her going forward, a court has heard.
Hairdresser Bonnie Cullen, 33, of Wyong, was due to face Wyong Local Court on Tuesday but when her matter was mentioned a woman — purporting to be her mother — stood up in the public gallery and told a lawyer at the bar table was he was emailed “four times” requesting he not to appear on Ms Cullen’s behalf.
The lawyer, who told the court he was acting as an agent on behalf of Ms Cullen’s private lawyers, sought leave for his firm to withdraw from the matter.
The court heard Ms Cullen had applied for a Legal Aid grant on Friday and a Legal Aid duty solicitor was prepared to act on her behalf until her representation was ratified.
Magistrate Justin Peach granted her private lawyers to withdraw from the matter and adjourned Ms Cullen until May 9.
She did not request to appear via video link and her bail was formally refused.
Ms Cullen 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 Sean Froggatt at a public housing unit in Wyong between 9.30pm on Friday, January 27, and 5.30pm on Saturday, January 28, but did not inform the police.
Her boyfriend of three months Daniel Paul Hasapis, 30, of Wyong, was also not required to appear when his matter was mentioned briefly at Wyong Local Court on Tuesday.
He was arrested at a unit on Levitt St, Wyong, about 5.30pm on Saturday, January 28 and charged with the alleged murder of Mr Froggatt, 52.
He was also charged with the kidnapping of a woman, 44, named in court documents as Mariana Taitoko, in the company of Bonnie Cullen.
Charge sheets allege Mr Hasapis kidnapped the woman between 5pm on Thursday, January 26, and 4.30pm on Saturday, January 28.
Police will allege in court Ms Taitoko was assaulted with a jet lighter but managed to escape the unit about 4.30pm on Saturday when emergency services were notified.
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 Mr Froggatt’s welfare before his body was discovered inside the Wyong unit.
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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.
Police will allege during the 72-hours, Ms Taitoko and Mr Froggatt were inside the housing commission unit rented to Ms Cullen and that Mr Hasapis fatally bashed and tortured Mr Froggatt then hid his body in a bedroom.
Mr Hasapis was also formally refused bail to reappear on May 9.
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