Geelong teen Noorullah Hussaini stabbed colleague in back with knife

A Geelong teenager who stabbed a colleague in the back has avoided a conviction.

Noorullah Hussaini was working with the victim when he stabbed him in the back with a knife. Picture: Google Maps.

A Geelong kebab shop worker stabbed his colleague in the back with a kitchen knife after they argued about shift changes.

After spending their shift at Geelong CBD’s My Kebab arguing about a change Noorullah Hussaini made to the victim’s roster in June this year, the 18-year-old man grabbed a kitchen knife and lunged at him.

Hussaini pleaded guilty to a charge of recklessly cause injury in the Geelong Magistrates Court on Thursday but avoided a conviction.

The court heard Hussaini and the victim were in a physical fight moments earlier and had to be separated by a third employee.

When they both returned to the front of the store, Hussaini grabbed the knife before he followed the victim onto the street and stabbed him.

The knife had to be removed from the victim on the scene and he was rushed to hospital for treatment.

The court was told the victim made a full recovery.

Defence lawyer Ryan Robertson said the two had gone to the same school and it was Hussaini’s way of “standing up to a bully”.

“This was a grave over-reaction,” Mr Robertson said.

Magistrate Peter Mellas said it was “disappointing” to see Hussaini, who had a number of good character references, in court.

“It happened in a public place, it happened by you using a weapon, so that does make it serious,” Mr Mellas said.

“I’ve read in references from your school … that otherwise, you’re someone who is calm, thoughtful, a good student.

“You need to think about that side of you who are.”

Given Hussaini came to Australia as a refugee and his chance at permanent residency could be at risk with a conviction, Mr Mellas placed him on a good behaviour bond.

It will mean Hussaini has to “stay out of trouble” for a year or he will be re-sentenced.

“You lost your temper because of what happened. I think you now know what can happen if you let your emotions get the better of you,” Mr Mellas said.

“I’m prepared to deal with this on the basis that this is not who you are. I’m going to give you that chance today.”

Originally published as Geelong teen Noorullah Hussaini stabbed colleague in back with knife