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Newcastle Herald
Newcastle Herald
National
Nick Bielby

Convicted fraudster loses court appeal over jail sentence

A Central Coast man jailed last month for scamming several elderly people to the tune of more than $20,000 over a four-month period earlier this year has failed in his bid to have his sentence overturned.

Tonga Harris faced an appeal hearing in Gosford District Court on Monday, where Judge Tanya Bright upheld his jail term.

The 45-year-old was sentenced to five years behind bars - including a three year non parole period - on August 7 after he pleaded guilty to 19 counts of dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception.

Harris stole more than $20,000 from 10 victims across the Hunter, Canberra, Illawarra and Southern Highlands

The thefts targeted people living in retirement villages and seniors' residential complexes in those regions.

Harris obtained stolen bank cards and called their owners in order to get the details required to access accounts between January and April.

He withdrew cash at East Maitland, Belmont, East Gosford, Tahmoor, Tuggerah Lakes, Dapto and Canberra.

Harris was charged in May. He will be first eligible for parole on August 6, 2023.

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