George Klapsis, 43, was convicted by Nowra Magistrate Gabriel Fleming to five charges of larceny as a bailee, after pleading not guilty to the offences.

Klapsis was the sole director of Nowra Powerboats operating in Central Avenue, South Nowra at the time, when he sold five boats for $211,681 and failed to pass on the money from the sale to the boat owners.

In each case the boat owners discovered after the sale of their craft Klapsis’ company had actually gone into liquidation.

Court papers stated between November 1, 2013 and March 31, 2014 at South Nowra, Klapsis sold a 2007 Ebbtide Cubby Bowrider boat and trailer for $75,000.

He also sold a 2009 Stingray boat and loader trailer for $33,000 at South Nowra between May 11, 2013 and March 31, 2014; a 2000 Sleekline boat and Phantom trailer for $18,000 at South Nowra between March 1, 2013 and March 31, 2014; a Stingray boat and Road King trailer for $60,000 between November 1, 2013 and March 31, 2014 at South Nowra; and a 2008 Stingray boat and Dunbier trailer for $25,681 between December 1, 2013 and March 31, 2014 at South Nowra.

The boats were owned by separate people and in each case Klapsis failed to pass over the proceeds of the sales to the owners.

The court heard some of the boats were held by Klapsis on consignment for varying times from four months to 12 months.

Magistrate Fleming sentenced Klapsis to 18 months’ home detention and ordered he be assessed for that sentencing option.

She has also ordered he pay compensation of $136,681 to the victims. Another victim has already started a civil suit against Klapsis.

He will learn his fate on July 31 when a decision on his suitability for home detention will be decided.