A CONVICTED dognapper who accompanied notorious Perth “dine and dasher” Lois Loder in ripping off various restaurants has apologised for his “stupid” offending.
Chiminh Phun pleaded guilty in Perth Magistrates Court on Wednesday to three counts of fraud and four counts of stealing.
The court heard the pair skipped out on bills racked up drinking and dining at restaurants including Bistro Bellavista, the Floreat Hotel and The Royal.
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
READ NOWAt Zafferano, they owed more than $700 for one meal.
“It was stupid and I’m sorry,” Phun said when he was sentenced on Wednesday via videolink from Acacia Prison.
The magistrate noted his “well known” accomplice, who had run “out of luck”.
Loder is serving a two-year jail sentence but could be eligible for parole this month.
Phun is serving a 13-month prison term for demanding $3000 for the return of a stolen chihuahua and will be eligible for parole in three months.
The magistrate ordered Phun repay the restaurants his half of the bills and sentenced him to three months in jail for each of the frauds.
But they will be served concurrently with his existing term, so will not effect his parole eligibility date.
The magistrate warned Phun he would go back to jail “very quickly” if he continued to offend after release.
“The line is now drawn in the sand,” he said.
“Do what the rest of us do when we go to a restaurant – we actually pay for food or use a credit card that’s not stolen.”