THE standover man who attempted to strongarm Wangaratta and Wodonga tobacco stores that were firebombed weeks later could face up to 10 years behind bars after admitting to extortion.
The 23-year-old Doreen man appeared at Wodonga Magistrates Court from Port Phillip Prison, where he has been since he was arrested on 23 January.
Magistrate Ian Watkins told the court he was certain to face a period in custody with a non-parole period, after making threatening demands to two North East female tobacco store workers on 4 July, 2023.
He claimed to be with the “Iraqis from Melbourne” and demanded both stores to be closed within 24 hours and to hand over their keys, or the stores would be burnt down.
Both incidents were filmed by an unknown associate, described by one of the victims as African, young and around 5’2’ tall and distributed in a WhatsApp messenger group, believed to contain members of a criminal syndicate seeking control of the state’s tobacco market.
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Videos of both Wangaratta and Wodonga extortions were played at court, which depicted the “frightening” nature of the man’s threats.
During the Wangaratta incident, the back of the large, Middle Eastern man could be seen as he negotiated with the terrified store worker from the back door of the Murphy Street store, having closed around 30 minutes prior to the standover man’s arrival.
“You are lucky you had shut the shop, you have 24 hours to get out,” the standover man said.
“I’m a reasonable man, but my bosses are unreasonable.”
The visibly confused and frightened worker continually asked for the man to explain his threats, calling a colleague on the phone who was also threatened by the 23-year-old.
“I’m sorry but your bosses have f***ed around with my people, and my people are not to be f***ed with,” he said.
The 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,” the standover man said.
On 27 July, the same woman was rescued by CFA after the Murphy Street store was extensively damaged by fire.
The Wodonga store was also firebombed the same night, around 45 minutes earlier.
The court heard the 23-year-old also pleaded guilty to separate driving, drug and imitation weapon possession charges.
Defence counsel Natasha Freijah sought a sentence indication for the matter which was listed for contest over an identification dispute.
Ms 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.
“All of the offending predates certificates and courses he has undertaken within the community,” she said.
“Custody is no doubt more onerous on him.”
Ms Freijah said her client 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, having been trusted with enacting the Wangaratta and Wodonga extortions on behalf of the organisation.
Magistrate Watkins said the 23-year-old’s offending was extremely serious.
“This is frightening behaviour,” he said.
“He’s a large man, he confronts two vulnerable women on their own, in their workplace and he behaved in an appalling manner and there’s someone else there with him.”
The Doreen man is set to learn his fate at Wangaratta Magistrates’ Court on 22 May.
The court heard the maximum penalty for extortion was 10 years jail.
