Tony Mokbel Released After Drug Sentence Reduced on Appeal
Tony Mokbel, a notorious gangland figure, will not serve additional jail time after his drug trafficking sentence was significantly reduced following an appeal. Originally sentenced in 2012 to 30 years in prison, with a 22-year non-parole period, Mokbel had pleaded guilty to leading a sophisticated drug syndicate across three major criminal cases.
Sentence Reduction Details
Of the original 30-year sentence, 20 years came from a single case. On Thursday, the court reduced this term to 13 years, seven months, and 15 days—time considered already served before the appeal was finalized.
“He is taken to have served that entire sentence,” stated Justice Stephen McLeish.
Following the verdict, Mokbel acknowledged the court with a bow, shared a kiss with his girlfriend, smiled broadly, and left quietly for his legal team's chambers.
Legal Considerations in Resentencing
- The resentencing considered the 2023 quashing of a prior conviction known as Plutonium.
- Mokbel suffered a head injury while in custody.
- The court treated him as a first-time offender in drug matters for sentencing purposes.
Appeal Court Decision Overview
On October 3, the Court of Appeal, comprising Justices Stephen McLeish, Maree Kennedy, and Stephen Kaye, made several rulings:
- Quashed one drug conviction (Quills).
- Ordered a retrial for a second conviction (Orbital).
- Upheld a third conviction (Magnum).
These decisions influenced the substantial reduction of Mokbel's sentence.
Author’s Summary
The appeal court’s reconsideration of evidence and previous convictions led to a dramatic reduction in Tony Mokbel’s sentence, resulting in his immediate release after serving time.