A JUDGE has praised the actions of neighbours who risked their own safety to protect a Somali woman who was being attacked by her former partner with a machete.
Justice Roslyn Atkinson today sentenced Muhumed Samow Ali, 53, to 10 years’ jail for the attempted murder of the woman in the middle of a suburban street in Wacol in Brisbane’s west on September 10, 2015.
Ali drove his car head-on into his former partner’s vehicle near a train station and pursued her with the machete as she tried to flee.
The court heard how onlookers attempted to protect the woman by pushing wheelie bins at Ali and throwing items to distract him.
Justice Atkinson commended a woman who bravely ran towards the dangerous scene and helped the victim to escape, locking her into a car in the garage to protect her from any further attack.
“(The witness) put her arm on (the victim’s) shoulder and a hand around her waist and told her that she was safe but they had to move quickly.
“She was more concerned with getting the injured woman to safety (than being hit by the machete),” she said.
The court was told one of the men holding a wheelie bin was forced to step back quickly to avoid being hit by the machete himself.
When Ali tried to chase after his ex-partner one of the witnesses said, “No, we’re protecting her from you.”
Justice Atkinson said the woman was only alive because of the strangers’ actions.
“This was an offence committed in public on a defenceless woman who wanted to relationship to end,” she said.
“It was only the intervention of others, whose bravery I commend, that stopped (Ali’s) actions and saved her life.”
Ali was also sentenced to two years’ imprisonment for dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, three years for assault and three years for going armed as to cause fear, which will be served concurrently with the 10-year attempted murder sentence.
As it is classified as a serious violent offence he must serve at least 80 per cent of the sentence.
He has been incarcerated since September 10, 2015.
Prior to the sentencing Justice Atkinson requested information on the conditions for Muslim prisoners, after Ali’s barrister raised concerns.
Ben Power said the conduct of other prisoners had caused Ali to doubt the food he was being given was halal-certified.
Crown prosecutor Sarah Farnden said correctional facilities confirmed that prison staff had “noted” Ali required halal-certified food, and he was on the list to observe the last Ramadan.
Mr Power said requiring Ali to store his food from regular meal times and eat it in his cell later was not an ideal solution for observing Ramadan.
Justice Atkinson agreed that it would mean he ate his meal cold.
“That is unfortunate, but I’m more concerned about the fact there’s no capacity apparent as to teaching English,” she said.
Ms Farnden said: “They do facilitate on request the provision of a translation dictionary, and there are numeracy and literacy courses available.”
Justice Atkinson said they would be of no use to Ali if he could not speak the language in the first place.
“He can’t be the only prisoner who doesn’t speak English as a first language,” she said.
“Does that make it almost equivalent to being in solitary requirement?”
Ms Farnden acknowledged the judge could take Corrective Services’ “limited ability to overcome such isolation” into account when sentencing.
Source: couriermail
