A former real estate agent who misappropriated more than $6 million from clients to fund his lavish lifestyle has asked a Melbourne judge to spare him from prison.

Tri Duc Ngo, also known as Joseph Ngo, has pleaded guilty to misusing $6.49 million from trust accounts linked to six LJ Hooker branches, spending some of the money on jewellery or drugs such as ice.

Tri Duc Ngo

Defence lawyer Erol Cinar argued in the County Court on Monday that the father-of-four should be spared jail because his four-year-old had not yet made lasting memories of his father.

He also argued Ngo was active in his church community, had no intention to return to real estate, was remorseful and was of otherwise good character.