Fraudster free after lengthy jail spell

A FRAUDSTER who convinced his flatmate to give him more than $90,000 has been released from jail after spending more than two and a half years behind bars.

Nicholas Savidis, 67, pleaded guilty in the Southport District Court to one count each of fraud and stealing.

Eight other charges were dropped after a three-day trial.

The court heard over a period of four months in 2013 Savidis had convinced his flatmate to give him more than $90,000 by spinning a series of stories.

Those stories included a friend needing help to save his sandblasting business and being able to make money through high risk loans.

Savidis also stole a mobile phone from a homeless woman he had promised a job.

Judge Catherine Muir gave him a head sentence of 945 days in jail, to be released immediately. He was also given probation for three years.