Joseph Vokai sentenced for participating in a criminal group

A former alleged Alameddine associate accused of planning a hit on a high profile gangland rival spent more than 300 days on remand before police dropped the charge, a court has heard.

Former alleged KVT gang leader Joseph Vokai, left, was accused alongside Alameddine organised crime network associate Masood Zakaria, right, of plotting to kill gangland rival Ibrahem Hamze in 2022. Pictures: News Corp

A former alleged Alameddine associate spent more than 300 days on remand accused of conspiring to murder a high profile organised crime figure before the charge was sensationally dropped.

Joseph Vokai was accused alongside Alameddine organised crime network associate Masood Zakaria of plotting to kill gangland rival Ibrahem Hamze in 2022.

At the time, Vokai was alleged to be associated with Islander gang KVT, with police intelligence indicating its members were used as muscle by the Alameddines.

The charge arose after police allege they thwarted an attempt on Hamze’s life in August 2021 when officers spotted a stolen Mercedes containing two masked gunmen on a North Sydney street.

The conspiracy charge against Vokai was ultimately withdrawn, with a magistrate later finding him guilty of participating in a criminal group over his involvement with Zakaria in what was alleged to be a loosely organised drug supply network.

Joseph Vokai.

Joseph Vokai at court on Thursday.

Zakaria has pleaded not guilty to conspiring to murder, knowingly directing a criminal group, participating in a criminal group, dealing with crime proceeds and contravening a serious crime prevention order over the same allegations.

He is to be arraigned at Sydney District Court on Friday and will defend the charges at trial.

Vokai’s solicitor Jeannette Fahd issued a statement after her client narrowly avoided further full time custody at Parramatta Local Court on Wednesday.

Masood Zakaria. Picture: Max Mason-Hubers

“Our client was charged with a number of serious charges, with the most serious being a conspiracy to commit murder,” Ms Fahd said.

“He has always maintained his innocence and has defended these charges from the outset.

“After a years-long fight, he is no longer facing the most serious allegations before the court and he looks forward to moving on with his life and spending Christmas with his family.”

Magistrate Timothy Khoo convicted Vokai and sentenced him to a six month intensive correction order with supervision and an order not to associate with Zakaria.

Ibrahem Hamze.

“He was involved with at least two others in a criminal group, generally in the supply of illegal drugs,” Mr Khoo said.

“I’m not sentencing him for anything to do with the supply of drugs – he’s involved in the criminal group that was engaged in that type of act.”

Mr Khoo acknowledged Vokai had made significant changes in his life since the charges were laid, and that he was not accused of any further offending since.

“It’s a serious offence, and the community expects people not to be involved in criminal groups and it expects the courts to condemn that behaviour,” Mr Khoo said to Vokai.

“You’re starting to make better decisions – this is now in your hands, if you’re serious about making better decisions, you’ll stick to that order.”

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