Latest news with #GoldCoastHinterland
News.com.au
17-05-2025
- News.com.au
Man who fatally mowed down brother of NRL star Tom Opacic over love triangle dispute fails in appeal over 10-year sentence
A man jailed for fatally mowing down the brother of an NRL star in a 'brutal and senseless' killing, all over a relationship dispute, has been refused an appeal over what he claims is a 'grievance' in his sentence. Steven Dale Latter is serving a 10 year jail term – imposed in May last year – for the manslaughter of Jake Opacic, 28, outside a prison in the Gold Coast Hinterland region back in July 2021. Jake Opacic was the brother of former Brisbane Broncos, North Queensland Cowboys and Parramatta Eels star Tom Opacic. Latter and his co-accused, Benjamin Charles Johnson, both pleaded guilty to the unlawful killing of Jake Opacic on July 2, 2021 after he went to Numinbah Correctional Centre to pick up his then-girlfriend, Rheannon Rowe. During the resulting pursuit, Latter and Johnson collided with Mr Opacic's motorcycle, causing 'severe' injuries which led to his death. Latter also pleaded guilty to a charge of stealing property – with a court being told he took Mr Opacic's backpack from the scene of the crash. The bag contained $9200 in cash. Latter sought leave to appeal his sentence on the ground Supreme Court Justice Glenn Martin erred in law and failed to apply the principle of parity – where similar sentences should be imposed on people who commit an offence together – during his sentencing. At the time Latter's manslaughter offence was declared a 'serious violent offence', meaning he needed to serve 80 per cent of his sentence before being considered eligible for parole. Johnson was jailed for nine years. But Justice Martin did not set a parole eligibility date for him, meaning he would be eligible for parole the day after serving half the time of imprisonment. 'The applicant argues that as the applicant is unable to apply for parole for eight years and his co-accused is able to apply for parole after four-and-a-half years, there is a disparity between the sentences of the two co-accused, such as to give rise to a justifiable sense of grievance,' the Court of Appeal judgment states. In their decision, Court of Appeal Justices David Boddice, Susan Brown and Graeme Crow noted Latter had been driving the vehicle which struck Mr Opacic's motorcycle. 'It was his driving, at high speed, in deliberate pursuit of Mr Opacic, that caused the death,' the Court of Appeal judgment states. All three justices said Latter had only been on parole for several weeks after serving a different jail term for unrelated offending. They said there was 'no basis' to conclude Justice Martin's sentence was unjust as the deferral of parole eligibility was a 'consequence'. 'Although the time in custody is more onerous for the applicant, the difference between the sentences does not give rise to an unjustified disparity when the circumstances are looked at as a whole,' the judgment states. Latter's application for leave to appeal was refused. During last year's sentencing, Brisbane Supreme Court was told Johnson and Latter spent the day before Mr Opacic's death consuming drugs. The pair spoke of Johnson's 'perceived slight' with Ms Rowe – who had previously been in a relationship for 12 years with Johnson – continuing her current relationship with Mr Opacic. The conversation included Johnson saying: 'I'm going to get Rheannon, and I'll have a crack at Opacic' while Latter discussed going there to watch and promising to 'step in' if Johnson started 'losing'. On the day Ms Rowe was released and picked up by her family, with Mr Opacic following on his bike, Johnson and Latter's car broke down close to the prison. While Ms Rowe's family stopped to help them, the pair almost got into a physical confrontation with Mr Opacic, who rode his motorcycle away. Latter drove their car – with Johnson in the passenger seat – in pursuit, leading to the crash. Rhonda Opacic, Jake's mother, told Brisbane Supreme Court of her heartbreak at losing her 'wild, fun-loving, loyal and loving' son in such a 'brutal' act. 'He was chased down, left to die alone in the dirt on the side of the road,' Ms Opacic read from her victim impact statement. 'Did he suffer? Did he regain consciousness? Did he call out for me? 'My mind is spinning around these questions. I try to make sense of why they tried to hit him.'
News.com.au
07-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- News.com.au
Medieval castle turned fashion palace up for grabs
Fashion royalty, welcome home to your castle – a fairytale estate and favoured model haunt modelled on a French chateau. The quirky European-inspired property at 45 Blacks Rd, Willow Vale spans 1.69ha of spectacular grounds in the Gold Coast Hinterland, and was built over 10 years by the original owners. Known as Chateau La Reve — or 'castle of dreams', it is marketed by Kollosche agent Josh Finch and goes under the hammer on May 30. Mr Finch described the listing as, 'an opportunity to live a life less ordinary among serene surrounds', while remaining within easy reach of northern Gold Coast amenities. Melissa Papa and her husband, David Cosgrove, purchased the unique estate for $4.2m in November 2023 and spent four months renovating before moving in. While primarily a family home for the couple and their four children, the castle also served as a location for film productions and photo shoots, hosting popular brands including Beginning Boutique and Petal and Pup. Ms Papa said the family had previously lived on the South Coast of NSW, and moved to Willow Vale for its country charm. 'When we originally saw the property we both loved it and I loved the area – I mean, who doesn't want to live in a castle?' Ms Papa said. 'But as we walked through, there were a lot of areas where it was not entirely our taste. 'We just pared back a little of the opulence in the house to create more of a luxe feel without the excess.' The couple scrapped an old medieval-themed games room, stripped back white-painted wooden floors, and extended the poolside alfresco area with travertine tiling and a barbecue kitchen complete with pizza oven, wine fridge and beer taps. Constructed from traditional stone, the main residence has four bedrooms with an open-plan kitchen, living, and dining space. A soaring void crowns the interior, while architectural details such as intricate plaster mouldings, high-end marble, and vintage fixtures enhance the grandeur. A curved wrought iron-trimmed staircase leads to the mezzanine level of the master bedroom, while other features include VJ panelling, wainscot walls, arched doorways, and sash windows. The rest of the acreage includes outbuildings and natural features such as a dam, stables, paddocks, a commercial-grade workshop, and additional office space or guesthouse, offering potential income-generating opportunities. Ms Papa, who worked in fashion events and marketing, said she fell in love with the home's incredible detail, and its potential as a high-end events space – an avenue which could be further developed by a new owner. 'There was so much beautiful detail that went into the build of the home, and you can see these little stories and moments all around in spaces which have been so thoughtfully created – the gazebo, the private courtyard, the cottage garden, and then the fish pond that runs down along the side of the house like a moat,' she said. 'I have an Italian background so long lunches are in my DNA. Now that we've put in the big bi-fold doors that flow into the barbecue area by the pool – the space just really works so well for our extended family,' Ms Papa said. She counted the central lounge area – now light and bright with stunning exposed beams and a fireplace – as a favourite spot to relax. 'Looking out to the view, especially at this time of year as it starts to cool off and you can light the fire as the sun goes down – golden hour is our all-time favourite,' she said. PropTrack data shows house prices in Willow Vale were up 23.9 per cent to a median of $950,000. The estate had been listed on a high-end location hire site, with hourly rates from $450 or weekday hire for $3,195.
