Deen brothers found guilty of violent assault of cousin at Archerfield

Three brothers from a well-known Brisbane family have been jailed over their vicious revenge attack on their cousin, after they bashed him with bats and kicked him as he lay on the ground.

Three brothers from a prominent Brisbane family have been jailed over a premeditated and violent gang bashing of their cousin to “teach him a lesson”.

Mohammed Umar Deen, 41, and twin brothers Imran Aziz Deen, 30 and Zain Fazal Deen, 30, were accused of a protracted assault of their cousin who said the trio used bats to repeatedly hit him during an attack in January 2020.

Mohammed Deen, known as Freddie, claimed he believed the three brothers wanted to talk about a family issue when they met at an Archerfield industrial estate but said he was instead set upon, with the men repeatedly kicking him and striking him with bats to the head and body.

The brothers were found guilty late Monday after a week-long trial in the Brisbane District Court.

The four men belong to the well-known Deen family, who were involved in the legal but divisive demolition of sites including Cloudland and the Bellevue Hotel.

Lawyers for the men had urged the jury not to hold any prejudice against the men over the actions of the previous generation of Deen brothers who demolished the buildings.

Crown Prosecutor James Bishop said it would have been a “terrifying experience” for the victim and it was good fortune he was not more severely injured.

“This was a premeditated and gratuitous instance of violence where the complainant was confronted by the combined force of three men,” Mr Bishop said.

Imran (left) and Umar Deen leave Richlands Magistrates Court

Mr Bishop said the “premeditated attack” had left Freddie Deen with ongoing physical, psychological and financial impacts.

Defence barrister Dominic Nguyen said his client Imran Deen was a qualified boilermaker who ran a heavy machine transport business in which he employed 10 drivers, a mechanic and an office manager.

He said the business would struggle to survive if Mr Deen was imprisoned and that references provided to the court described the violence as “out of character”.

Defence barrister Jason Buckland said his client Umar was a father-of-five who had an excellent work history and made significant contributions within his community.

He said Umar also ran a business in which he employed six people who depended on him for their livelihoods.

Zain Fazal Deen gave evidence during a trial in the Brisbane District Court, alleging it was Freddie who threw the first punch at his brother Umar and the two then had a fight. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

Zain Deen’s defence barrister James Godbolt said his client also owned a business that employed six others.

He said Mr Deen was well regarded in his community and his incarceration would negatively impact his business.

Judge Leanne Clare said the three men went to the attack intending to teach their cousin a lesson and found none of them had demonstrated remorse for the violence.

“You presented the bat almost immediately so it is clear this was not an impulsive reaction, there was some premeditation and you appeared to be the leader,” she told Umar Deen.

“Zain and Imran the two of you acted in active support of Umar.

“You leant your muscle from the beginning and the two of you with your presence and participation helped ensure that Freddie did not get away.”

Assault victim Mohammed Abdul Gaffir Deen. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

Judge Clare said it would have been clear to the three brothers that Freddie was injured as he was bleeding from the head.

“You callously sped off and left him to fend for himself,” she said.

“It’s important the court sufficiently denounce the violence you deployed, the nature of this violence and do so in a way that would stop others from solving their problems or dispensing payback in the same way.”

Umar Deen was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment with parole release on February 6, 2023 after he has served eight months behind bars.

Imran Deen was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment with parole release in four months on October 6.

Zain Deen was jailed for two years with parole release on November 6 after he has served five months in prison.