Article in The Age
A Melbourne Muslim woman who pleaded guilty to being involved in a car rebirthing scheme, claiming her religious beliefs required her to obey her husband, has been given a suspended jail sentence.
Shahida Karim-Hawchar, 24, of St Albans, today pleaded guilty in the Victorian County Court to six counts of obtaining property by deception and six counts of handling stolen property.
The court was told that Karim-Hawchar was linked to a criminal syndicate operating between NSW and Victoria in the early 2000s that was rebirthing cars.
As part of the scam, identification plates from wrecked cars were placed on stolen vehicles and taken interstate, before they were sold, the court heard.
Police seized 157 cars as part of their investigations into the scheme.
Karim-Hawchar on-sold six rebirthed vehicles through ads in the Trading Post.
The vehicles were stolen from NSW between June 2001 and December 2002.
Her husband Imad Karim-Hawchar is currently serving a two-and-a-half-year jail sentence for his part in the scheme.
Judge Felicity Hampel said Karim-Hawchar's father, Omar Zaydan, also of St Albans, was the head of the Victorian end of the syndicate, although he has never been charged.
The court was told that Karim-Hawchar was acting under the direction of Mr Zaydan.
"I accept that you were in a position where it was difficult for you not to become involved," Justice Hampel said.
"Your father was a dominating man.
"You and your husband were financially dependent on your father."
During her trial Karim-Hawchar, a practising Muslim, said that she had acted in accordance with religious and cultural requirements that she obey her husband.
But Justice Hampel did not accept that as an excuse for her involvement in the scheme.
"I do not accept your religious beliefs can justify your involvement," she said.
"Clearly you were lending yourself to a large criminal enterprise."
The court was told the cars were sold to victims only to have them seized by police about two years later.
In many cases, the buyers of the cars were still paying them off, Justice Hampel said.
Karim-Hawchar was given a two-and-a-half-year suspended sentence and ordered to pay $72,000 compensation to five of the victims and a further $17,000 to VicRoads.
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Niiiccee one sister!
Nice excuse sister
