Yusra Mustapha found guilty of hindering police during son’s arrest at Hurstville, south Sydney home

A Sydney mum has been found guilty of hindering police as they arrested her son for DV, adding to a chaotic scene involving a “barrage of abuse” outside their family home. Watch what happened.

A mother has been found guilty of hindering police officers as they arrested her son for DV in a chaotic and aggressive scene involving a “barrage of abuse” outside their family home.

Yusra Mustapha, 48, and her husband Hassan, 50, each pleaded not guilty to hindering police while they were carrying out their duties. Yusra also denied intimidating an officer.

The case went to a hearing in Sutherland Local Court and Magistrate Hugh Donnelly handed down his decision on Friday.

The court heard the incident began when police arrived at the Mustapha’s Hurstville house on February 11 last year to arrest their son Ali over allegations of domestic violence from earlier that night.

Ali later pleaded guilty and was jailed for two years and two months with a non-parole period of 15 months for domestic violence, resisting arrest and assaulting police charges.

Yusra and Hassan with Ali Mustapha during a previous court appearance. Picture: Ashleigh Tullis

Following Ali’s arrest, officers noticed he had a hand injury that required treatment and they called an ambulance to assess him.

Shortly after being told Ali needed to attend hospital, his parents arrived home and asked to hug and talk to their son, which officers allowed.

Police alleged when Ali moved back inside the property through a gate, a senior officer, Inspector Callaghan, instructed junior officers to arrest Ali again.

Magistrate Hugh Donnelly said body worn police footage, which he primarily relied on to make his determination, showed Yusra “escalated the situation”.

The footage showed Yusra waving her arms and pointing her finger at Inspector Callaghan, telling him “don’t be a dickhead about it” and “there’s no f------ weapon”.

She then shouted “how dare you” multiple times at the inspector.

Yusra and Hassan Mustapha outside court on Friday. Picture: Ashleigh Tullis

The footage showed Yusra again pointing at Inspector Callaghan and telling him “you started this” multiple times.

He directed officers to “put him (Ali) on the ground and take control, spray him if you have to”.

While Ali resisted arrest, Yusra continued screaming “how dare you, everyone was calm”.

She was told to calm down and Inspector Callaghan directed officers to watch out for her and to take Ali into custody.

Ali ran away from the officers, prompting Inspector Callaghan and other police to give chase.

Multiple requests for assistance were made by him over radio.

He then found Yusra had straddled her son on the ground. She called officers “cowards” and was dragged away.

Both parents were told to get out of the way before Ali was tasered and arrested.

Yusra Mustapha tries to dodge photographs outside court. Picture: Ashleigh Tullis

Mr Donnelly found Yusra’s “pointing, yelling, screaming and aggression” and her “ferocity of objections” and “closeness” impacted Inspector Callaghan’s ability to do his job and give directions to junior officers.

“She targeted Inspector Callaghan as the source of the problem,” he said.

“There was an extended barrage of abuse and swearing. It is a clear case of hindering police.”

He found the offence proven, but dismissed the charge of intimidating an officer.

Meanwhile, Hassan was found not guilty of hindering police and the charge was dismissed.

Police alleged Hassan struck an officer in the face with his arm while Ali was resisting.

Mr Donnelly found the officer was unable to say with certainty who knocked his glasses nor exactly what Hassan did.

Mr Donnelly acknowledged the situation was difficult for Yusra and he accepted she was trying to support her son.

However he said her behaviour “crossed the line by a long way” and she escalated the situation, which became “unruly and out of control”.

Mr Donnelly acknowledged Yusra’s limited criminal history, but said police needed to be able to perform their role.

Yusra was convicted and sentenced to a 12-month community correction order.