‘I kill people’: Father and son from Tiba crime family jailed over Melbourne car theft

A man has demanded his “money and property” back from police after he and his son were jailed for stealing a car, with the younger threatening to kill his victim’s family.

A Melbourne underworld figure has demanded his “money and property” back from police after he and his son were jailed for stealing a car.

Bassam Tiba, 52, and his son Abdul Tiba, 33, appeared before the County Court of Victoria on Wednesday, admitting their involvement in the “frightening experience” after prosecutors agreed to downgrade charges.

Both men appeared via a video link from prison wearing activewear brands including Nike, Adidas and Under Armour.

The duo was arrested on December 1, 2021 about seven months after the elder Tiba was released on parole over his 2011 manslaughter conviction for the stabbing of Richard Haddara.

The court heard they were socialising at a Sunshine apartment in Melbourne’s west, when their victim and a friend attended around 7.30pm on November 22.

An altercation broke out, with Abdul Tiba threatening the man and demanding he hand over his phone and wallet.

Prosecutor Fiona Martin said Tiba took a photo of the victim’s drivers licence before issuing a chilling threat.

“We’re going to go to your girlfriend and daughter, maybe we’re going to kill them,” he said.

“Don’t go to the police – I break legs and kill people, which one do you want to be?”

Bassam Tiba had been released on parole for killing a man just seven months before the theft. Picture: Supplied

The court heard Abdul took $1750 from the man’s wallet, and the father and son both made demands for money over the following three hours.

Just before they left in the victim’s Toyota Prius around 10.50pm, Abdul Tiba was asked if he’d return the car keys, to which he responded: “my dad wants it”.

Ms Martin described the offending as serious, saying the car was stolen through fear and threats made to the victim’s family.

“The court can find this would have been a frightening experience for the victim,” she said.

The court heard the victim was “concerned for his life and that of his family” following the encounter and refused to return home.

Lawyers acting for both men conceded that in light of their clients’ serious criminal history, jail was the appropriate sentence.

Abdul’s lawyer, Andrew Jackson, said his client was hoping to “turn a corner” when released.

“He was doing so well, he stuffed up and wants to continue to mature as it were and do better,” he said.

A lawyer acting for Bassam Tiba told the court he had dumped the vehicle without any damage. Picture: Supplied.

The court heard both men, part of the Tiba crime family in Melbourne’s northwest, had mental health issues relating to instances of violence they’d experienced in their lives.

Abdul Tiba, the court heard, had previously been shot and stabbed and was the target of a hand grenade attack in 2018.

Sentencing the pair, Judge Trevor Wraight said they had cautious prospects for rehabilitation, with the family’s criminal activities “dominating” their history.

Abdul Tiba was sentenced to serve 12 months’ imprisonment on robbery and theft of a motor vehicle offences.

His father was sentenced to serve a total of four months’ imprisonment for theft of a motor vehicle, driving while suspended and failing to provide police a pin code to his mobile phone.

As Judge Wraight left the bench, Bassam Tiba could be heard asking the court to order police to return his “property and money”.