News

Hay scammer sentenced but avoids more jail time

Dec 21, 2023

A man who scammed farmers out of hay, tomatoes and capsicums has avoided more time in jail. Photo by Geoff Adams

The Toolamba man who scammed farmers out of hay escaped further jail time when he was sentenced in Shepparton Magistrates’ Court.

Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content

Joseph Matthew Villani’s sentence included the jail time he has already served, 38 days, and supervision by the Community Corrections office, with a host of conditions.

He pleaded guilty to multiple theft by deception charges relating to advertising hay, tomatoes and capsicums which he never delivered.

Magistrate Marita Altman sentenced him to time already served and placed him on a 12-month community corrections order, which included attendance at a behaviour change program and a provision for drug and alcohol testing.

The scam operated between March 4, 2022 and May 24, 2023.

Police said Villani, 42, had spoken of goods being organised to be delivered on a specific date, followed by messages from him about problems with transport, before he stopped responding to the messages.

None of the victims were successful in obtaining refunds.

Police told an earlier hearing many of the people who had allegedly been scammed by Villani were victims of the October floods and needed to buy hay to feed their cattle.

Police said Villani had also used the names of Matteo Villani and Gino Ventura.

By McPherson Media Group