Sharmarke Abdi Yusuf, 23, of Kuraby sentenced for second violent robbery

A formerly bright student locked up for a year for a violent robbery has walked free from court after he filmed an associate’s violent robbery of an alleged “snitch”.

A formerly bright student locked up for a year for a violent robbery has walked free from court after he filmed an associate’s violent robbery of an alleged “snitch”.

Appearing at Beenleigh District Court on Friday Sharmarke Abdi Yusuf, 23, of Kuraby was visibly relieved with a host of supporting family members when he was released from the dock.

Yusuf pleaded guilty to a single count of robbery while armed/in company/wounded/used personal violence.

Two charges of retaliation/intimidation against a juror/witness or family were dismissed.

The court heard the former OP 7 Year 12 graduate and commerce student was 19 when he accompanied an associate in a violent robbery on a date between April 18 and June 1, 2018.

Yusuf watched as his associate grabbed a man by his hair and dragged him out of a Slacks Creek barber shop and filmed the victim while demanding he reveal himself as a “snitch”.

When the victim refused, Yusuf’s associate punched the victim, threatened to stab him and forced his arm into his neck, while pinning him to a wall, the court was told.

Yusuf was supported by family at Beenleigh District Court. (AAP Image/Richard Walker)

After a 10-minute ordeal Yusuf’s associate grabbed the victim’s bag and ran away.

Crown prosecutor Samantha O’Rourke said the defendant was charged on July 30, 2019 after the fearful victim finally reported the robbery.

Police had overwhelming evidence when Yusuf’s video, which identified him in the robbery, was circulated on social media.

Ms O’Rourke said the defendant had since spent a year in prison on a three-year sentence for a subsequent violent robbery while in company, committed in Mackay.

Yusuf remains on a suspended prison sentence ending in 2024 for it.

Defence barrister Sam Di Carlo noted that while his client was party to the robbery, he did not commit any direct violence.

The court heard Yusuf had a particularly onerous stint in jail for his subsequent violent robbery in north Queensland.

Mr Carlo said despite the trying circumstances Yusuf had remained productive and was eventually paid for tutoring fellow prisoners.

The defence further urged against a probation sentence, explaining Yusuf sought to make a fresh start working in mining interstate.

The submission accompanied a reference letter from the defendant’s brother that was tendered to the court.

The 361 days Yusuf spent in custody was taken into account when he was sentenced to nine months’ prison, wholly suspended for 15 months.