Apex-linked teen avoids jail over two jewellery heists

A VIOLENT teen thug who committed two terrifying jewellery heists just 90 minutes apart — on the orders of an Apex kingpin — has avoided jail.

A VIOLENT teen thug linked to the Apex crime gang has avoided jail despite committing two terrifying jewellery heists just 90 minutes apart.

County Court Judge Liz Gaynor said she was going against sentencing guidelines to lock up Akon Mawien because his case was “exceptional”.

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She instead freed him on a 3 ½ year Community Corrections Order, saying he was young, remorseful, had no priors and had behaved on a 12-month deferral of sentence.

Akon Mawien has avoided jail. Picture: Sarah Matray

Akon was an exceptional bowler in his local cricket team.

Mawien, 20, was among three young brutes who wore hoodies and balaclavas and raided jewellery stores with sledgehammers in Melbourne’s CBD and Coburg on July 7, 2016.

Almost $200,000 worth of jewellery and designer watches were stolen.

Apex ringleader Mahmoud Taha had organised the group of teens to break into Citizen Victorian Watch Repair and Farah Jewellery, promising them cash, hotels and girls.

“The aim of the deferral was for him to prove himself,” Judge Gaynor said.

“It’s quite clear from all the materials I’ve got before me today, you have continued on that path to reform to the highest level.

“I am satisfied the gains you have made mean you are not a danger to the community.”

Farah Jewellery on Sydney Rd, Coburg was one of the stores targeted.

Defending her sentence, Judge Gaynor said: “A community corrections order is not going back into the community free.

“This means you will be supervised in total for five years. It’s a long time. But that’s to reflect the seriousness of the crimes.”

On the order, she said, he will be supervised, will have to complete 300 hours of unpaid community work and will undergo programs to ensure he doesn’t reoffend.

Citizen Victorian Watch Repair shop in Russell St, Melbourne, was also targeted.

She scoffed and rolled her eyes at the media coverage surrounding Mawien.

Addressing the media in court, she said she wanted to make it clear that reporting suggesting Mawien was linked to Apex was “in my view, inaccurate”.

“There is no indication at all that Mr Mawien has any connection to Apex,” she said.

While Mawien may not be an Apex member, she admitted his co-accused and childhood friend, Maker Mayoum, knew members of the gang, including ringleader Taha, who has been jailed for five years and nine months for orchestrating the brazen daylight smash and grabs.

Judge Gaynor said Mawien had never met Taha — and blamed his offending on ice.

“I do not regard Mr Taha and Akon on the same par. (Akon’s) involvement in the organised criminal network lasted a day,” she said.

Judge Gaynor said Mawien met up with Mayoum, was “fed” ice and recruited to commit the crimes during a time of “aimlessness” when he could no longer play sports because of an injury.

Mawien pleaded guilty to armed robbery, aggravated burglary and theft.

Mayoum was last year jailed for four years, with a non-parole period of two years.