Finks bikie’s ex-girlfriend Athar Almatrah jailed for luring man to Bulleen shooting

The ex-girlfriend of a Finks bikie has been jailed for sending “flirty” messages to lure a rival to a shooting. But the two men accused of pulling the trigger walked free.

The ex-girlfriend of a Finks member has been jailed for using a fake Instagram account to lure a rival bikie into a near-fatal ambush.

Mongol Rocco Curra was critically injured but survived after he was shot in the head and chest while he sat in his car outside a home in Bulleen.

He was coaxed to the address by Athar Almatrah, 32, who was dating a Fink at the time, with “flirty” messages sent from a fake Instagram account in August 2019.

Almatrah at the Supreme Court on Wednesday was jailed for 20 months with a non-parole period of 10 months after she pleaded guilty to recklessly causing serious injury for setting Mr Curra up as part of a violent tit-for-tat between Finks and Mongols.

In her sentencing remarks, Justice Mandy Fox said while Almatrah was unaware Mr Curra was to be shot, she played an “essential role”.

“You were complicit … in setting up the victim for a revenge attack by a rival outlaw motorcycle gang,” she said.

Athar Almatrah was dating a Fink bikie at the time of the shooting. Picture: Facebook

Athar Almatrah has been jailed for 20 months. Picture: Aaron Francis

“You knew when you set the victim up he would probably be seriously injured.”

But in a twist, the Finks who allegedly recruited her, Sione Hokafonu and Poiva Sita, were acquitted by a jury of attempted murder earlier this year, while the alleged getaway driver Joseph Opapo was found not guilty on a lesser charge.

A fourth man, Tavita Sua had his charges dropped after the other men were acquitted.

Adding insult to injury, Almatrah was also never paid a promised $5000 from the Finks.

Justice Fox said after her arrest, Almatrah was taken to the Finks’ lawyer to ensure she didn’t rat them out.

Sione Hokafonu was acquitted of attempted murder. Picture: Luis Ascui

“The Finks were watching you to make sure you were controlled,” she said.

Defence barrister Rishi Nathwani told a pre-sentence hearing last week Almatrah, who pleaded guilty prior to her co-accused’s trial, anticipated Mr Curra would be beaten up.

“She anticipated he would be bashed quite seriously, but never gave any real thought to the level of violence,” he said.

Almatrah created the fake account using the name “Sarah Riccardo” and began chatting with Mr Curra after he had previously sent “sleazy” messages to her real account.

Mr Curra suspected the account to be fake and messaged Almatrah who reassured him that Riccardo was a “good girl”.

Alleged getaway driver Joseph Opapo was found not guilty on a lesser charge while Poiva Sita was acquitted of attempted murder. Picture: Luis Ascui

Using the fake account, Almatrah asked Mr Curra to come to an address allegedly given to her by the Finks.

After he arrived, Mr Curra messaged Riccardo telling her he was there.

Moments later, another car pulled up before two gunmen jumped out and sprayed Mr Curra with bullets.

Almatrah, who was at home, then logged out and deleted the account.

Police quickly linked the account back to Almatrah and she initially told investigators Riccardo was her cousin who had recently moved from Sydney to Melbourne.

But she later admitted creating the fake account and was charged.

Mr Nathwani said his client was remorseful for her actions.

“It’s not lost on her by virtue of her actions that Mr Curra almost died,” he said.

“Her own silly actions got her here.”

Almatrah, who was on bail, was taken into custody after the sentence.