Brother shot by police in Victoria told court he only obeyed ‘law of Allah’

One of the two brothers shot by police in Victoria has been charged twice — and convicted once — in NSW in the past year. In one instance, he told the magistrate that he was only bound by “the law of Allah”.

Police at the scene of the shooting in Barnawartha North, on the Victorian side of the Murray River. Picture: Simon Dallinger

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One of the brothers who was shot when they allegedly attacked police armed with a tomahawk and knife, once told police in Sydney he was only bound by the “law of Allah”.

Joshua Clavell, 30, and Joel Clavell, 19, remain in Victorian hospitals tonight after their dramatic arrests in which they allegedly rammed a police car near the NSW border yesterday.

Brothers shot by police, Joel Clavell (left) and Joshua Clavell. Picture: Facebook

Court documents obtained by The Daily Telegraph reveal Joshua and another man Nathan Clavell was arrested for stealing two backpacks from an Auburn camping store and threatening to hit a staff member with bamboo sticks on August 29 last year.

The same day they stole the backpacks — each valued at $379.99 — the pair were due to be sentenced in Dubbo Local Court over charges of resist or hinder police.

Police at the scene of the shooting. Picture: Simon Dallinger

A statement of facts in the larceny case said: “both persons stated that they had never had any intention of attending the court matter as these are laws of Australia of which they are not bound as they only follow one law and that is the law of Allah”.

The men were denied bail for more than five months, until February 4 this year, when they each pleaded guilty to larceny and stalk/intimidate.

Counter Terrorism Command Assistant Commissioner Ross Guenther speaks to media about the shootings. Picture: AAP Image/Daniel Pockett

They were released that day after receiving a section 10, no conviction recorded, in Burwood Local Court for each of the charges.

The men had been living in a makeshift campsite in a Lidcombe park off Parramatta Rd when they were arrested for stealing the backpacks, having moved from their previous camp in Dubbo.

They were sentenced in their absence for the charges in Dubbo Local Court.

Joshua and Joel were being monitored by Victorian counter-terror police last night when uniformed local police attempted to approach and check on the men where they were camping on the banks of the Murray River.

Local police went to check on the welfare of the men, who were camping in a riverside park. Picture: Simon Dallinger

Police at the scene as investigations continue. Simon Dallinger

Police allege the men rammed the police car and jumped out of their vehicle with weapons. Police said one brother was shot when he lunged at officers and the other when he refused to surrender.

Mr Clavell had no connection with last night’s incident.