Matthew Younan: Merrylands construction worker sentenced for cocaine supply at Marrickville
A university student with aspirations of travelling the world has told a court he didn’t know his brother was going to be dealing cocaine before the pair were busted selling cocaine to a stranger.
Inner West
Don't miss out on the headlines from Inner West. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A university student’s plans to travel the world for work has been put at risk after being implicated in his brother’s dial-a-dealer scheme.
Matthew Younan, 23, of Merrylands, pleaded guilty at Newtown Local Court on Tuesday to taking part in the supply of 0.28g of cocaine to an unknown woman at Marrickville on October 15.
Agreed police facts reveal Younan first aroused the suspicion of police when officers observed Younan and his brother, Ronny Younan, stop their car at the intersection of Cook Rd and Addison Rd.
An unknown woman was seen entering the vehicle about 11pm, before leaving soon after.
The woman was later busted by police with 0.28g of cocaine, which she told officers she’d purchased for $300.
Stopped by police soon after, Younan said he had been at ‘Wings and Things’ at Canterbury with his brothers, and was heading home after plans to meet up with a friend at Enmore were cancelled.
Younan later told officers he had entered his home address into his GPS but was instead taken to Cook Rd – despite it “not being the most direct (route) at all”, and declined to comment about texts about a drug deal on the same road.
A search of the vehicle revealed multiple mobile phones, as well as $950 cash in Ronny’s possession.
Younan’s lawyer told the court the Western Sydney University student did not know his brother was going to be selling drugs when he agreed to take him home, despite pleading guilty to his involvement.
“He accepts he knew but he didn’t go out intending to be involved in drug supply,” Younan’s lawyer said. “He has placed himself in this situation with (Ronny), who should have known to not involved his brother.”
Ronny Younan was convicted of drug supply and dealing with criminal proceeds earlier this year, and was sentenced to an 18-month community corrections order, as well as being fined$1100.
The court heard since the incident, the relationship between the two brothers had become “detached”.
During sentencing, Magistrate Clare Farnan further heard Younan’s future could be impacted by a conviction.
His lawyer told the court that he wished to use his studies to work overseas, and a drug supply conviction would impact that. The court also heard Younan had a limited criminal history, with no drug matters.
Nonetheless, Magistrate Farnan said the matter was too serious to escape conviction an sentenced Younan to a 12-month community correction order.
Younan also pleaded guilty to dealing with the criminal proceeds, which was factored into the drug supply sentence.
The court also heard he had been issued a community correction order for driving while suspended, which had breached.
‘It’s scary’: Speed race has SailGP guns on edge
SailGP gun Kyle Langford has given an insight into the wet, wild and high risk speed chase that could see 100km/h broken on Sydney Harbour – and the fear and pain involved.
Ciao bella! ‘Beautiful’ Italian eatery arrives at beachfront hotel
Flocking to the northern beaches for a frolic in the surf? Food lovers might take a detour to a new eatery inspired by an Italian piazza serving up a scope of fare, from spaghetti to straccetti.