Phillip John Iskra jailed for bashing and robbing sex worker Amber Fisher’s client

A man is behind bars after he held a knife to a man that didn’t pay his sex worker housemate.

A man is behind bars after he bashed and robbed a client who owed his sex worker friend money.

Phillip John Iskra, 59, knew of Amber Fisher’s tragic backstory when he took vigilante action to retrieve the $500 promised to her for services.

During sentencing on Wednesday, the District Court heard the victim attended a Fulham property in July 2022 to meet Fisher, and was met by Iskra holding a large knife.

Iskra asked the victim for money before punching him multiple times when he said he didn’t have it.

He also stole the victim’s iPhone and car keys.

Phillip Iskra was jailed for bashing and robbing his sex worker friend’s client. Photo: File

“The victim attempted to retrieve his phone and in response you held a knife to him and told him to sit down or he would be killed,” Judge Anthony Allen said.
The court heard Iskra drove the victim to an ATM but he was unable to withdraw money as he entered his pin incorrectly too many times.

Iskra, of Ridleyton, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm and robbery.
Paul Charman, for Iskra, told the court during sentencing submissions his client never intended to use the knife and the stolen items were “simply a bond” for getting the money.

During Fisher’s sentencing in May, the court heard she was the victim of a horrific crime when she was abducted while pregnant at 18 and turned to drugs as a result.

Fisher then found out her abductor had been released after 10 years and was living in the same town as her and returned to drugs after being drug free for a short period.

Fisher, who pleaded guilty to assault causing harm and robbery, was jailed for one year and six months, with a non-parole period of seven months.

The sentence was backdated to September 8.

The court heard Iskra had a lifelong drug addiction but had taken steps to change his life for the better, including trying to reconnect with his children.

Judge Allen said the offending was too serious for a suspended sentence, which was pushed for by Iskra’s counsel.
“Your offending arose out of loyalty to your housemate who you believed was owed money from the victim,” he said.
“It was a clear over-reaction in the circumstances and does not excuse the offending.”
Judge Allen sentenced Iskra to two years and ten months, with a non-parole period of one years and five months.