Ali Mustapha jailed for domestic violence, assaulting police

A tradie who smashed four windows of his girlfriend’s car – who was attempting to flee – has told a court his violent response to arresting police was a result of PTSD. Watch the confronting arrest footage.

A young man who smashed his girlfriend’s car windows before he attacked arresting police officers has been jailed for more than two years.

Ali Mustapha, 20, pleaded guilty to multiple charges of domestic violence, resisting arrest and assaulting police related to one night in February and was sentenced in Sutherland Local Court on Friday.

He also admitted to contravening an apprehended violence order three times.

Magistrate Hugh Donnelly jailed Mustapha for two years and two months with a non-parole period of 15 months.

“The attack terrified and terrorised the victim and only ceased when a bystander came to her aid after hearing her screaming,” he said.

Ali Mustapha, pictured with his mother and father, during a previous court appearance. Picture: Ashleigh Tullis

Mr Donnelly said smashing the windows involved a “high degree of violence” before adding the court must support police officers when they properly executed their duty.

When considering whether to allow Mustapha to serve a term of imprisonment in the community, Mr Donnelly noted Mustapha contravened an apprehended violence order and his Supreme Court bail conditions in “blatant defiance”.

He said an intensive correction order would not adequately protect the victim given the breaches.

Mr Donnelly took into account Mustapha’s lack of criminal record, his guilty pleas, his young age and mental health conditions.

Facts tendered to court said Mustapha, who works as a tradesman, and his 22-year-old girlfriend of one year began arguing while driving through Penshurst about 8.30pm on February 11.

Mustapha became angry and started driving recklessly and erratically.

Mustapha will spend 15 months behind bars. Picture: Ashleigh Tullis

The woman left the car and got into her own before Mustapha followed and chased her in his car. Mustapha swerved towards the woman twice and slammed on his brakes.

The woman stopped and Mustapha ran over, told her to open the door, banged on the window multiple times while screaming incoherently.

He punched her window three times, shattering it, causing small lacerations and blood over her clothes.

Mustapha then punched and kicked her other windows, smashing all four.

He then went home, showered, cleaned up his car and was confronted by police about 9.30pm.

After his parents arrived, police said his father hugged and moved Mustapha towards the house before officers directed him to stop.

Mustapha resisted arrest and multiple officers were needed to handcuff him. Picture: Supplied

Mustapha pulled away and had to be restrained by several officers who were trying to handcuff him.

At one point, Mustapha crouched down while a police officer was standing behind him and Mustapha lifted the officer off the ground and threw him onto the road causing the officer to land on his back and head.

Mustapha took hold of the constable before an officer capsicum sprayed him.

Mustapha then got to his feet and ran into a neighbour’s yard, jumping a fence before he was arrested.

The officer sustained a sore back and neck with superficial injuries to his arms and Mustapha’s hand was treated.

Mustapha was sentenced on Friday.

Mustapha was initially refused bail but in March was granted Supreme Court bail, which was revoked after he called his girlfriend numerous times over two days in April and went to her unit complex and waited to speak to her.

In court, Mustapha’s lawyer Grant Brady said when Mustapha’s parents arrived at the home his client went into “fight or flight” mode due to his PTSD and “things go exceptionally wrong”.

Mr Brady asked Mr Donnelly to take into account Mustapha’s young age and limited criminal record, his remorse and his serious mental health impairment and allow him to serve a sentence in the community.

The court heard Mustapha had been diagnosed with PTSD and had sought treatment previously but it was not intense enough to address his mental health concerns, a psychologist noted.

The court heard a report said Mustapha‘s condition caused “significant distress and impairment” and Mr Brady said Mustapha needed to be in the community to see his psychiatrist and psychologist to treat his mental health conditions.

Mr Brady said Mustapha had also been assaulted in prison, adding the custodial environment could exacerbate his PTSD.

Mustapha will be eligible for parole on June 14, 2024.

Originally published as Ali Mustapha jailed for domestic violence, assaulting police