Christos Panagakos, a man previously charged with the fatal shooting of his ex-girlfriend, has recently been sentenced for an unrelated assault on another woman. In a surprising turn of events, Panagakos pleaded guilty in the Southport District Court to multiple charges, including assault occasioning bodily harm and wilful damage. He was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment but was released on parole immediately.
The incident in question took place two years ago when Panagakos pushed the woman into a bedside table, grabbed her by the neck, and made threatening remarks. It was reported that he even snapped her phone in half upon discovering messages between her and a male friend. Crown prosecutor Jessica Guy revealed in court that the assault left the woman with visible marks and bruises.
It is important to note that Panagakos had previously faced charges over the manslaughter of his ex-girlfriend in 2019. However, the charge was later dropped due to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions’ assessment that a conviction was unlikely. Although his history of violence and drug-related offenses was brought up during the recent trial, Panagakos’s defense barrister emphasized that the assault on the woman was an isolated incident.
Judge Deborah Holliday took various factors into consideration when sentencing Panagakos, including his previous time served for the manslaughter charge and his ongoing probation sentence for separate drug offenses. In addition to the jail time, Panagakos was ordered to pay $4,000 in compensation to the victim and was placed on a two-year probation period.
The case of Christos Panagakos highlights the complexities and challenges faced by the justice system when dealing with individuals who have a history of violent offenses. It serves as a stark reminder of the importance of thorough investigation and prosecution to ensure the safety and well-being of potential victims.
FAQs:
Q: What were the charges Christos Panagakos pleaded guilty to?
A: Christos Panagakos pleaded guilty to two counts of assault occasioning bodily harm, one count of common assault, and one count of wilful damage.
Q: What happened to the previous manslaughter charge against Panagakos?
A: The manslaughter charge against Panagakos was dropped due to a lack of reasonable prospects for obtaining a conviction.
Q: What was the sentence imposed on Panagakos for the recent assault case?
A: Panagakos was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment, but he was released on parole immediately.
Q: Was Panagakos ordered to compensate the victim?
A: Yes, Panagakos was ordered to pay $4,000 in compensation to the victim for her injuries and the damage caused to her phone.
Q: Does Panagakos have a history of violent offenses?
A: Yes, Panagakos has a criminal history that includes previous incidents of violence.