The Snitch: Blacktown chapter of B4L gang is dead as last member locked up
The notorious Blacktown chapter of the Brothers 4 Life gang is officially dead — its last member was jailed for a maximum of 10 years on Friday. Police spent seven years dismantling the gang responsible for a spate of shootings and murders.
The notorious Blacktown chapter of the Brothers 4 Life gang is officially dead.
Mohammad Kalal became the last member to be locked up when he was jailed for a maximum of 10 years on Friday on three charges relating to two shootings, including one where a 14-year-old girl was hurt.
It marks a significant achievement for police, who spent seven years dismantling the gang responsible for a spate of shootings and murders, including a contract killing, around 2013.
Chapter leader Farhad Qaumi was jailed for up to 60 years in 2017 over the murder of construction figure Joe Antoun and the manslaughter of rival gang member Mahmoud Hamzy.
Kalal, 33, pleaded guilty to three counts of shooting with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. In the first incident he attempted to shoot a member of the rival B4L Bankstown chapter at his Westmead home in November, 2013.
The Downing Centre District court heard Kalal fired a number of shots through a security screen. The intended victim’s 14-year-old sister was caught in the crossfire and suffered wounds to the kidney, throat, spine and liver.
Kalal told the court he was forced into the shooting by Qaumi, who said: “I’m going to shoot whoever doesn’t get him.”
The second shooting took place days later outside the Chokolatta Cafe in Bankstown when Kalal was one of a number of people who shot at three people in a BMW about 1am.
In sentencing Kalal, Judge Penny Hock told the court he showed no “regard to public safety”. The sentence included a non-parole period of eight years.
The sting in the tail is that Kalal has served several years waiting for his case to finish and will be eligible for parole in 2021.
SHOT COP GOES HOME
A police officer shot in the neck by a game hunter in Northern NSW has been released from hospital and is home with her family.
Leading Senior Constable Helen McMurtrie was shot when she turned up at a home in Glen Innes on January 18 in response to a domestic violence call.
Her colleague, Sergeant Mark Johnston, was also injured when the bullet grazed his cheek.
At least six pieces of shrapnel were removed from Constable McMurtrie’s neck but one remained.
After two weeks in Gold Coast Hospital, Constable McMurtrie was released last week and reunited with her children back at home.
“My daughter Helen … goes home today,” her father Barry McMurtrie posted on Facebook. “They want to avoid hospital dangers as she builds up strength.
“Will return in four weeks for the next stage of treatment. Thanks for caring and praying.”
Sgt Johnston was released from hospital after a few days.
The shooter — 74-year-old Eric Newman — turned the gun on himself after firing at police.
HEY BIG SPENDERS
The list of law firms that claimed the most in taxpayer funded legal fees is out.
And top of the list for 2017-18 is Mallinson Rake lawyers, who were paid $888,835, according to the Legal Aid annual report.
The firm, now known as Rake Lawyers thanks to a recent restructure, worked on 203 cases to earn the money, the report said.
They came ahead of Ross Hill and Associates, which collected $862,874 from 109 cases.
Tim Mara, from family law firm Rafton Lawyers, worked the most cases, at 339, to come in 10th with $613,465.
Greg Goold wins the efficiency award for collecting $552,270 off just 19 cases. A most likely explanation is that Mr Goold’s firm focuses on high level crime and was involved in a long running bikie trial.
According to one legal insider, the list isn’t the pot of gold that it appears, with that money being stretched in a number of different directions.
“A large proportion of it goes to paying barristers,” the insider said.
LEGAL AID RORT
Still on legal fees, one of our spies has told us about a rort used by one NSW lawyer.
In short, we’re told this person pays prison inmates to refer fellow inmates to be represented by them.
The rumour is that the lawyer pays amounts starting from $100 for a referral that results in trial work, court appearances and appeals.
The money is apparently paid into the inmate’s prison account or to their family or friends.
The inmates then use the money to buy food and other goods that make life easier behind bars.
Given the Law Society’s rules on lawyers touting for work, we wonder how long it will continue.
EXTREMIST NEIGHBOUR
Far-right extremist Ralph Cerminara usually directs his vile abuse at members of the Muslim community. But it seems even his neighbours aren’t immune.
Cerminara, who has had strong ties to the anti-Islam United Patriots Front and Australian Defence League in the past, fronted Burwood Local Court this week for losing his cool over a non-existent scratch on his car.
According to police, Cerminara spotted his neighbour washing his own car in the driveway of their unit block in Marrickville. Leaning over his balcony, he threatened to punch the neighbour if he scratched Cerminara’s vehicle.
He then marched downstairs and pushed the 36-year-old victim in front of his child.
Cerminara, who a magistrate referred to as a “boofhead” in 2014, was on Friday convicted of assault and two counts of intimidation.
Also known as Ralph Powell, he sparked a brawl in Lakemba in December, 2014, after he turned up near a mosque and started taunting locals with religious slurs.
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Ava.benny-morrison@news.com.au
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