Ibrahim El-Sayah walks free from court after admitting to involvement in Reservoir drive-by shooting
A young father who was involved in a drive-by shooting in Melbourne’s north has limped free from court in a moon boot after being granted one “final opportunity” to stay out of trouble.
Police & Courts
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A young father who drove the getaway car after his rifle-wielding associate fired eight bullets into a Reservoir business has limped free from court after being given one “final opportunity” to stay out of trouble.
Ibrahim El-Sayah, who was shot in the leg earlier this year, walked into the County Court with a moon boot and a bottle of orange juice on Wednesday to face the music over his involvement in the drive-by shooting.
The court heard El-Sayah, who was under the influence of ice and GHB at the time, was behind the wheel of the car when one of his associates jumped out with an assault rifle and sprayed the Akkar pastry shop with bullets on July 12, 2020.
The attack, which is believed to be linked to a feud between warring Middle Eastern organised crime groups, caused damage to the windows and internal walls of the business.
El-Sayah, from Broadmeadows, was originally facing dozens of charges relating to three different drive-by shootings but pleaded guilty in July to one count of using a loaded firearm in a public place.
He sat in the dock on Wednesday sporting a black Nike sweater and matching trackies, as one of his mates sat nearby to offer him support.
Judge Scott Johns told him that while the offending was serious, his role in the attack as the driver was “substantially less than the shooter”.
El-Sayah’s defence lawyer, Rob Melasecca, told the court during a pre-sentence hearing that his client had sustained a serious leg injury after being shot on February 10 while out on bail.
The Herald Sun understands the shooting occurred during a dispute at a property in Coolaroo, west of Thomastown.
Mr Melasecca said the 28-year-old was placed in an induced coma and required six surgeries after some “hero” shot him for a chance at “glory”.
“He nearly did die. He wasn’t expecting to make it through,” he said.
The court also heard he was desperate to reunite with his wife and young daughter, who he was unable to see due to his strict bail conditions.
Judge Johns told El-Sayah he seemed to be a “different person” than who he was three years ago, noting he had a much better handle on his drug dependency issues and was taking up work as a stonemason.
“Your progress to date since being released from custody … gives some reason for optimism,” he said.
“You’re starting to turn a corner and you’re starting to realise what’s at stake in your life.”
Judge Johns, who has sentenced El-Sayah multiple times over the years for various offending, said this was his “final opportunity” to keep out of trouble.
He was sentenced to 58 days behind bars and an 18-month community corrections order.
But since El-Sayah served 58 days in custody before being granted bail, he was able to walk free from court on Wednesday.
He has to complete 75 hours of community work and receive drug and alcohol treatment to comply with his CCO.
“If you commit further offences, you can be brought back before me for re-sentencing,” Judge John warned.
“When I said it was your last opportunity, I certainly meant that.”
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