Racist who targeted dark-skinned working folks fronts court

A drugged-up man drove a stolen car at a dark-skinned security guard helping out at a Covid-19 testing station in the presence of horrified onlookers.

By the time police caught up with Joe Karam, he had already seriously injured an Indian security guard with a stolen car in central Melbourne.

A man targeting dark-coloured people in central Melbourne seriously injured an Indian security officer helping out at a Covid-19 testing station by driving at him.

Joe Karam, 35, was in the throes of a drug-induced psychosis at the time but that didn’t save him from going to prison for his actions the sentencing judge described as “appalling”.

He was sentenced to six years and three months in jail, with a minimum non parole of four years and nine months.

Karam pleaded guilty to charges of theft of a motor vehicle, conduct endangering persons, intentionally causing injury and failing to render assistance after an injury.

Judge Gerard Mullaly said Karam stole a car on the pretext of buying it in November 2021.

What he did next with the stolen car was the “most grave and outrageous”, he said.

A day after stealing the car, Karam rang 000 and falsely claimed he had been accosted by a man of colour who pointed a gun at him.

When police turned up at a central city hotel he was staying in, he denied making the phone call and was under the influence of GHB.

An Indian security guard at a Covid-19 testing station in central Melbourne was targeted with a car in a racially motivated attack.

He then drove east along Lonsdale St during the morning rush hour and saw a man of colour walking with a colleague.

Karam screamed vile racist abuse at him before turning the car towards both men. Fortunately, they were able to get out of the way and take refuge behind a pillar.

Motorists blared their horns to alert others of his erratic and dangerous behaviour.

Karam continued driving east and came to a Covid-19 testing station facility where up to 30 people were waiting in line for their tests. He saw an Indian security officer and targeted him.

“Motivated by hatred of dark-skinned people, you stopped the car, reversed so you could get a clear run at him and accelerated your car, revving loudly and drove straight at him,” Judge Mullaly said.

“He was carried on the bonnet of the car for about 10m before falling on to the road. You then drove off in a chaotic and dangerous manner through the inner city suburbs.”

Karam was arrested in Charlton. The security guard suffered significant injuries, including a spinal fracture, ligament damage and multiple cuts and bruises to his leg, face and head. He was concussed and has ongoing difficulty with dizziness, blackouts and has trouble concentrating.

Joe Karam unsuccessfully tried driving a stolen car on two coloured people on Lonsdale St before targeting an Indian security guard.

Judge Mullaly said the security guard was very fortunate not to have been more severely injured.

“On any analysis, this offence was simply appalling. To use a car as a weapon on public streets, to target members of our community who were dark-skinned, is grave offending,’’ he said.

“A community would be simply bewildered that your racism and hatred came through or would reach this level and be exposed in this way and be exposed in such a dreaded and dangerous way.”

In custody while been medicated, Karam said he was shocked at his racist offending which was out of character.

In her report to court, psychiatrist Dr Clare McInerney Karam’s behaviour was as a result of drug-induced psychosis.