Nicholas Evangelidis: Former Jellis Craig real estate agent jailed over drug, theft offences

An ambitious Merc-driving real estate agent turned to a life of ice and crime after crumbling in the ‘competitive’ industry.

Nicholas Evangelidis,29, has been jailed over drug, driving and theft offences. Picture: Facebook

An ambitious real estate agent who turned to a life of ice and crime after crumbling in the “competitive” industry has walked from jail.

Nicholas Evangelidis, 29, was sentenced to 58 days behind bars reckoned as time served in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday after pleading guilty to drug, driving and theft and bail offences.

The court heard Evangelidis, a former Jellis Craig agent, was found with bags of ice, syringes, deal bags, scales and $1400 cash after he was spotted driving erratically in his Mercedes at Brunswick West on October 24 last year.

Less than two months later he was stung with ice and 1.4 butanol at a Prahran address, the court heard.

Evangelidis, of Brunswick West, also nicked a $30,000 Audi from a Brighton property in September 2019 and was caught-red handed after its owner tracked it to Prahran just over a week later.

“You’re in my stolen car,” the victim told Evangelidis before he and three associates took off.

Evangelidis’ spiral peaked was found passed out on a St Kilda footpath in the early hours of April 5 this year, less than 48 hours after he was released from a three month stint in a rehabilitation clinic.

Concerned members of the public phoned emergency services as Evangelidis laid unconscious with belongings including a bottle of GHB and bag of ice scattered around him.

“It’s a really sad situation for him and his family,” lawyer Manny Nicolisi said.

“It’s a significant fall from grace … up until 2019 he had an enviable work ethic working really hard, significant hours.

“(Real estate) is a pretty competitive game…(he was) feeling the pinch.

“He started using stimulants, ultimately meth … it’s absolutely wrecking his life.”

Mr Nicolisi said his client had strong support from his family including his mother who appeared in court.

“If he was able to surmount his addiction and do well there would be a fair chance of him staying out of strife,” he said.

Magistrate Michael McNamara said Evangelidis’ family support was “the difference” between him staying in and out of prison.

“I can’t tell you anything you don’t already know, if you get in trouble again you’ll be going to jail,” he told Evangelidis.

“I hope for your sake and your mother’s sake you can have a go at this corrections order.”

Evangelidis was sentenced to 58 days behind bars reckoned as time served as well as 12 month corrections order.

He was also ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid community work.