By Cam Lucadou-Wells
A 51-year-old ‘sugar daddy’ has been accused of exchanging cash and drugs for sex with a 16-year-old foster child, a court has heard.
Bill Argyropoulos, of Springvale, disputed charges of supplying drugs to a minor, reckless conduct endangering life, assault and weapons offences at a Dandenong Magistrates’ Court bail hearing on 21 January.
Detective Acting Sergeant Rebecca Turner of Victoria Police told the court that Argyropoulos had responded to an online ad posted by the girl.
Despite the girl telling him her true age, he agreed to receive regular sexual favours for between $150 and $1000, Det Sgt Turner said.
Over three months, he allegedly provided $6000, an i-Phone, as well as paying for Uber rides. He supplied her with cocaine and ecstasy at his home on 8 December, according to police.
When the girl tried to end the arrangement, he allegedly bashed her, spat in her face and threw her across the room.
He lifted her from the ground as he choked her, Det Sgt Turner told the court. The girl had trouble breathing as a result.
On 11 December, he was arrested by police’s Critical Incident Response Team after a two-hour siege at his home. At the time, he was due his depot injection.
He complained of chest pains and was hospitalized, the court heard.
It was the second time he’d been arrested after a police seige, Det Sgt Turner said.
“He’s not one you can just knock on the door to arrest him.”
Argyropoulos later admitted to smashing his phone, flushing its SIM card down the toilet and removing a recording of a sex act with the teen, Det Sgt Turner said.
Police seized a machete and two credit-card knives from the residence, the court heard.
In opposing bail, Det Sgt Turner claimed Argyropoulos was a flight risk, had an extensive criminal history and was subject to 13 previous bench warrants for skipping court.
Police believed he’d continue to harass and intimidate witnesses, if released, she said.
She said police were investigating possible charges of soliciting the teen, producing child exploitation material and drug trafficking.
A defence lawyer argued the police case was weak.
Argyropoulos claimed the teen had supplied the drugs and had no visible injuries from the alleged assault. He asserted that the seized weapons weren’t his, the lawyer said.
In refusing bail, magistrate Tony Burns said he didn’t believe the case was weak.
Mr Burns noted Argyropoulos’ “very troubling” 13-page criminal history including offences on bail, failing to answer bail, false imprisonment, robbery and handgun offences.
He said an offered $5000 surety and Argyropoulos’s acceptance into a CISP program didn’t outweigh the risk to the girl’s safety.
Argoyropoulos was remanded to appear at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 11 February.
