Jordan Crooke: man avoids prison after aiding and abetting shooter

A ‘young, impressionable, mentally ill man’ has avoided prison time for aiding and abetting Brodie Antoniak in a 2020 Narrabundah shooting

A “passive and suggestible” man has been given a three month suspended sentence for his role in a 2020 shooting in Narrabundah.

Jordan Crooke, 23, previously pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting his co-defendant, 32-year old Brodie Antoniak, to discharge a firearm at a building.

He fronted the ACT Magistrates Court on Wednesday for sentencing supported by members of his family in the gallery.

In his submissions Defence lawyer Edward Chen told the court his client was diagnosed with schizophrenia and described Crooke as a “young, impressionable mentally ill man”.

Mr Chen cited a psychology report which stated there may be a causal link to his mental illness and his offending and described Crooke as a “passive and suggestible” man.

He told Magistrate Glenn Theakston if his client was sent to jail his mental health could further deteriorate.

However Mr Chen stated Crooke was “no victim” and “ought to be punished” for his actions.

Jordan Crooke will serve a three month suspended sentenced after he pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting the discharge of a firearm at a building or conveyance. Picture: Julia Kanapathippillai

According to the agreed Statement of Facts tendered to the court Crooke was an employee of Antoniak and would regularly drive for his boss.

At midday on November 3 2020 Crooke drove Antoniak to a Narrabundah residence.

Antoniak was former friends of the residents of the property and was in a dispute with them about the ownership of a ute.

A dispute occurred between Antoniak and shortly after he returned to the car and Crooke began to drive away.

At 2.40pm that same day Crooke drove Antoniak back to the house and pulled out a sawn-off shotgun.

The court heard Crooke had no knowledge of the weapon being in the car until his boss took it out.

Jordan Crooke was described in court as a “young, impressionable, mentally ill man” by his lawyer. Picture: Julia Kanapathippillai

Armed with the sawn-off shotgun, Antoniak jumped on the roof of another vehicle, and then began to shoot at the property.

He then returned to the car and continued to shoot while Crooke drove away.

Antoniak was sentenced to two years and two months jail with a non parole period of 18 months at the ACT Supreme Court in September after pleading guilty to discharging a firearm to cause apprehension for safety, damaging property and unauthorised use of a firearm.

While handing down his sentence Mr Theakston made note of the power imbalances between Crooke and his co-defendant including their age difference, their relationship as employee and employer, and mental health issues.

“(Crooke) was at the mercy of his co-offender,” he said.

Mr Theakston sentenced Crooke to a three month suspended sentence, a 12 month good behaviour order and a 12 month probation.