Ex-Detainee Denied Bail Over Perth Home Invasion of Elderly Couple
A former immigration detainee accused of brutally assaulting and robbing an elderly couple in their Perth home has been refused bail for a second time, with a judge citing significant concerns about community safety.
Background of the Accused
Majid Jamshidi Doukoshkan, aged 45, was among 150 detainees released from Yongah Hill Detention Centre near Perth in 2023. This release followed a High Court ruling that found it illegal to detain non-citizens indefinitely when deportation was not possible. Since his release, Mr Doukoshkan has faced multiple court appearances, including charges related to breaching curfew conditions, drug offences, and the alleged violent home invasion of Ninette and Philip Simons, aged 73 and 76 respectively, in their Girrawheen residence.
Details of the Alleged Crime
Police allege that on April 16, 2024, Mr Doukoshkan was part of a group that carried out a violent home invasion. The group is accused of tricking the elderly couple into opening their front door by pretending to be police officers. Once inside, Mr Simons was pushed to the ground and had his hands bound, while Mrs Simons was held down and punched in the face multiple times, resulting in her losing consciousness. The assailants allegedly stole jewellery and other items valued at approximately $20,000.
During the recent bail hearing, the prosecution detailed Mr Doukoshkan's alleged significant role in the incident. This included demanding the victims reveal the location of their safe keys, tying the wrists of one victim, forcibly removing a necklace and two watches, and kneeling on a victim's back while they were pinned to the ground.
Bail Application and Rejection
In the Perth District Court, Mr Doukoshkan's lawyer, Hamish Glenister, applied for bail, requesting that his client be placed on home detention at a friend's residence in Osborne Park until his trial in May. Mr Glenister acknowledged his client's struggles with methylamphetamine misuse but argued that any relapse would be quickly detected under home detention, minimising risk to the community. He also noted that Mr Doukoshkan had spent over two and a half years in custody awaiting trial.
However, Judge Karen Shepherd denied the bail application. She expressed concerns that the Osborne Park home was not a suitable environment to prevent further offences, citing Mr Doukoshkan's prior behaviour on home detention bail as demonstrating a complete disregard for conditions. Judge Shepherd emphasised that his previous release on bail last year ended after just six days when he failed a drug test, reinforcing doubts about his compliance.
Legal Proceedings and Community Impact
This case highlights ongoing legal and community safety issues related to ex-detainees. Mr Doukoshkan has pleaded not guilty to five charges, and his case is scheduled to return to court on May 7. The incident has sparked discussions about the management and supervision of individuals released from immigration detention, particularly in light of violent crimes alleged against vulnerable victims like the elderly couple.
The denial of bail underscores the court's prioritisation of public safety, especially given the severity of the allegations and the accused's history of non-compliance. As the trial approaches, further developments are expected to shed light on the broader implications for policy and community protection measures.
