A STANDOVER man who attempted to extort Wangaratta and Wodonga tobacco stores which were later firebombed was sentenced to two years behind bars. Ahmad Al Essawi, 23, sat straight-faced in a green tracksuit from a Port Phillip Prison link at Wodonga Magistrates’ Court last Wednesday, 28 May, as he learned he would be in custody for at least the next 18 months. The court heard the Doreen man pleaded guilty of two frightening extortion attempts with threats to destroy property at Wodonga Gifts, and Ramseen Gifts, Wangaratta on 4 July, 2023, acting on behalf of an underworld criminal syndicate in the state’s war for control of the tobacco trade. He first arrived at Wodonga with an unknown co-offender between 3pm and 3:38pm, telling a female employee they had 24 hours to shut the shop and hand him the keys, or it would be burnt down. “We’re the Iraqis from Melbourne… we’re coming to take over the shop,” Al Essawi said. The middle-eastern man, with an imposing 6’4’ build, sporting a black puffer jacket and tracksuit pants continued to make threatening demands for around two minutes. “You’re frightening the s*** out of me so just go away,” the female employee said. At around 4:27pm the same day, the two men arrived at the rear entrance of Ramseen Gifts on Murphy Street, Wangaratta to confront another female employee at the door. “I’m a reasonable man, but my bosses are unreasonable,” Al Essawi said. “I’m sorry but your bosses have f***ed around with my people, and my people are not to be f***ed with. “If you are not out by the next 24 hours, there’s going to be big, big headaches for this shop. “My job is to send a message, that’s it.” The frightened store worker then told the 23-year-old she lived at the premises. “I can’t help you with that, you’ll have to sort it out with the bosses,” Al Essawi said. Both incidents were filmed by the unknown associate, described by one of the victims as African, young and around 5’2’ tall. The videos were distributed in a WhatsApp messenger group, believed to contain members of the criminal syndicate they were serving. Both videos were obtained by police and played at court. In the early hours of 27 July, both Wodonga Gifts and Ramseen Gifts were extensively damaged by fire. Al Essawi was not accused of being involved in the arsons. The same woman who was threatened by Al Essawi at Wangaratta was rescued by CFA after the Murphy Street store was gutted by the blaze. A victim impact statement submitted to the court heard of the intense trauma the woman had experienced since the incident, saying it “stolen my life”. “I have experienced significant trauma throughout my life which I had overcome, but it has come back 10-fold,” the statement read. Al Essawi has been in custody since he was arrested and charged by police at his home on 23 January this year. Defence counsel Natasha Freijah pleaded for leniency for her client and said the 23-year-old had undergone rehabilitation programs in the nearly two years since the incident occurred. Ms Freijah said Al Essawi was set to be transferred to a lower security prison due to his good behaviour, but he had not helped in assisting police with their investigation. Prosecutor Anthony Albore said the Doreen man’s role within the major criminal syndicate could not be understated, and his offending was of grave concern for the community. Magistrate Ian Watkins said Al Essawi’s offending was cold, calculated and showed a complete disregard for the welfare of the people who stood in his way. “You behaved in an evil and terrifying manner, oblivious to the impact you had on the female employees,” he said. “The footage reveals the incidents were terrifying for the victims…. that meant nothing for you. “You used your physical stature and manner to terrify two victims who were just going about their business.” In his sentencing, Magistrate Watkins noted the court needed to set a strong standard for people who behave in such manner, setting a non-parole period of 18 months. Al Essawi was also fined an accumulative $1150 for other driving, theft of identification cards and drug possession charges. He was also sentenced for imprisonment for possession of an imitation 'Desert Eagle' pistol. Magistrate Watkins said Al Essawi could expect to find himself back behind bars if he continued to stay involved with underworld crime figures.
