A MENTALLY ill man who started two fake companies to fraudulently buy and on-sell laptops has had his ability to stop himself breaking the law questioned in court.
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The Gunnedah man Justin Luke Yianakis, 40, had psychiatrists give evidence over two days in Tamworth District Court.
Defence psychiatrist Dr Olav Neillson described the mania as like being on a motorbike with unlimited power.
Both psychiatrists determined Yianakis was in a manic state due to his bipolar at the time of the offences, from December to February 2017, Judge Jeffery McLennan said.
"I have to determine whether it's more likely than not he was completely deprived of his ability to know it was wrong," he said.
"Some of what you have said to me shows he retained the capacity to know it was morally wrong but because of his manic state he thought those rules didn't apply to him."
Yianakis ordered 11 laptops through his first company under the alias David Lee from a Gunnedah office supplies shop, he then tried to order 20 more but it was not processed due to lack of payment, the court heard.
Under a second fraudulent company he then attempted to order more laptops, 10 boxes of crayons and numerous USB's, police claim.
In a police interview Yianakis said he planned to on-sell the computers, valued at $9000, and pay back the shop.
The court heard Yianakis didn't think there was anything wrong with using a false name as his previous convictions show up on a Google search because "actors do it all the time".
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He had planned to start a designer toy company, a QR code company and a regional sports phone application, which Dr Neillson argued was evidence of unrealistic, grandiose and "out of touch with reality" behaviour.
Yianakis had been off his medication for some time and it was important it was properly managed to avoid future incidents, Judge McLennan said.
"I can understand how uncomfortable psychotropic medication can be for some people - but medicated people forget they are unwell," he said.
"Everything should be done to ensure this doesn't happen in the future otherwise it will be an endless parade of complainants, lawyers and judges dealing with these problems."
Judge McLennan will make a judgement on the case in March.
Madeline Link
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
