Conman Hamish McLaren ‘late convert to remorse’, facing maximum sentence

The Crown has argued there are no circumstances which should reduce Hamish McLaren’s sentence.

Serial swindler Hamish McLaren. Picture: Supplied

Conman Hamish McLaren is facing the possibility of the maximum prison sentence of 15 years for “mercilessly” defrauding more than $7 million from 15 innocent victims.

Crown prosecutor Carl Young argued in court today there are no special circumstances which should be considered to reduce McLaren’s sentence and he is likely to offend again.

McLaren is “late convert to remorse”, despite saying he is “ashamed” of his actions, a court was told this morning ahead of his sentencing next week.

McLaren, who is the subject of The Australian’s podcast ‘Who the Hell is Hamish’, appeared in Downing Centre Local Court this morning after pleading guilty last September to defrauding 15 people of more than $7 million six years ago.

McLaren’s lawyer Gabriel Wendler argued the fraudster’s sentence should be lowered in consideration of an unspecified psychiatric condition which made him unable to appreciate the full consequences of his deceitful actions which caused irreparable damage to his victims.

Mr Wendler also asked the judge to consider the fact McLaren is a “first offender”.

Judge Colin Charteris rejected the idea McLaren, who plead guilty to 18 different charges of fraud from multiple victims spanning four continents, was a first offender.

“He is a first offender when he commits his first offence, but when he continues to commit offences is he still a first offender?” Judge Charteris asked, “Surely he must lose the benefit of first offender eventually.”

Two of Hamish McLaren's victims, Karen Lowe, left and Tracy Hall outside Downing Centre courts. Picture: Adam Yip

A letter written by McLaren was read out in court where he told his victims how “sorry” he is.

“I am truly sorry,” McLaren’s letter read, “I am acutely aware of the direct and indirect effects my crimes have had on the victims, the families, and the support networks.”

“I will never have the opportunity to turn back the clock, I will never have the opportunity to right the wrong, I am so ashamed. I wake up every single night knowing what I should have done — it is a pain that will stay with me for the rest of my life.”

“I understand that many if not all my victims will not forgive me, I pray that by reading this letter you will feel how sorry I am,” his letter concluded.

McLaren operated under a variety of names including Max Tavita, Hamish Watson and Hamish Maxwell, while he ingratiated his way into his victims’ lives, gained their trust and then stole their money.

Judge Charteris challenged Mr Wendler’s argument his conman client was remorseful.

“It seems he is a late convert to remorse” Judge Charteris said, “I’m entitled to wonder what would have happened next if the police had not raided his home.

“I find it difficult to say in any meaningful way that your client is genuinely remorseful in the normal understanding of that word,” Judge Charteris continued.

He is due to be sentenced next week.