An asylum seeker accused of beating an elderly woman during a home invasion was previously convicted of distributing methamphetamine.
Majid Jamshidi Doukoshkan, 43, was arrested on April 28 for the robbery of an elderly Perth couple at their home in Girrawheen, in which $200,000 worth of jewelery was taken.
It was later revealed that Doukoshkan was one of 152 detainees released from an immigration detention center following a landmark High Court ruling late last year.
Doukoshkan was one of many refugees who managed to reach Christmas Island by boat while the Rudd-Gillard Labor government was in power between 2007 and 2013.
He arrived in Australia in 2010 but was deported just five years later when he was charged with serious offenses relating to the distribution of methamphetamine.
Majid Jamshidi Doukoshkan was arrested (pictured) on April 28 for allegedly robbing and beating an elderly couple on April 16.
Doukoshkan is accused of being part of the group that beat Ninette Simons (pictured) unconscious
During his 2017 trial, Perth District Court heard Doukoshkan was forced to flee the Middle East after being tortured in Iran over allegations he and his father were spies.
Authorities based their claim on the fact that Doukoshkan’s brothers had immigrated to the United States, where one worked for the military and the other in IT.
Doukoshkan grew up in Kuwait, where he studied at one of the best schools in the country: the International English School.
Once settled in Australia, Doukoshkan began working at a migrant support center in Perth.
Judge Gillian Braddock found this position “very useful” in the drug distribution operation.
‘[You] “It has proven useful to persons who were in a position to arrange the arrival, by mail or courier, of large quantities, from 300 grams to potentially more than a kilogram, of pure methamphetamine,” said Judge Braddock, The Australian reported.
‘You were very useful because of your skills that were also useful in your employment; that is, your language proficiency and your ability to deal with bureaucracy.
However, the judge concluded that Doukoshkan did not occupy a “superior” position in the drug distribution business, but rather was a user and addict.
‘Others asked you to do things. You got involved voluntarily. “You are more than aware that you should not have done so, but your position at the time made it difficult for you to resist,” Judge Braddock said.
Doukoshkan was sentenced to eight years in prison for serious drug offenses.
His sentence was retroactive to his arrest on Aug. 26, 2015, and was reduced by 15 percent when he pleaded guilty.
When Doukoshkan served his sentence, he was transferred to an immigration detention center.
The Australian Government intended to deport him to a third country, as his refugee status prevented him from returning to Kuwait.
However, Doukoshkan’s history as a known drug trafficker meant he was unattractive, or in some countries ineligible, to third countries.
He was subsequently held at Yongah Hill Detention Center in the Western Australian Wheat Belt town of Northam until the High Court ruling last November.
It has since been revealed Doukoshkan breached his release conditions six times by leaving his East Perth home between 10pm and 6am.
Despite this, his ankle monitor was removed in a decision signed by a delegate to Immigration Minister Andrew Giles.
Doukoshkan (pictured) was previously convicted of distributing methamphetamine in WA
Doukoshkan was later alleged to have been involved in the vicious attack on elderly couple Ninette Simons, 73, and Philip, 76, on April 16.
Police allege Doukoshkan and his accomplices used stolen police badges to enter the couple’s home before tying up Mr. Simons and beating Ms. Simons until she lost consciousness.
The alleged thieves fled the home with the Simons’ life savings, in the form of $200,000 worth of jewelry, in tow.