Fraudster guilty of $90k con

AN accused Gold Coast fraudster has admitted he stole a mobile phone from a homeless woman and fleeced $90,000 from another man in a shock twist to his ongoing trial.

Nicholas Savidis yesterday afternoon pleaded guilty in the Southport District Court to one count each of fraud and stealing.

Other fraud charges, including Savidis allegedly failing to pay back a number of people who loaned him money for his lending business, have been dropped.

Before Savidis pleaded guilty, the court heard from Cher Emslie about how Savidis convinced her to sign up for an iPhone, despite the fact she was homeless.

Ms Emslie said she was living in her car in March 2014 when Savidis offered her a $300 a week job making appointments for him.

She told the court Savidis told her all she would need was a mobile phone.

“Nicholas told me he would pay the monthly bill ... or he would pay outright,” she said.

“I would not have bought it, because I couldn’t afford it.”

Ms Emslie told the court Savidis took her to Telstra at Pacific Fair and made her purchase a gold iPhone 5s, in her name, at a rate of $94 a month.

She said Savidis took the phone from her, saying an app needed to be put on it.

Weeks later when Savidis still had not given Ms Emslie a job or returned the phone, Ms Emslie disconnected the phone and entered into a payment plan with Telstra.

Savidis also pleaded guilty to defrauding $90,000 from another man.

That victim did not give evidence during the four-day trial.

Savidis, who has spent two and a half years in custody, will be sentenced this morning.