Girrawheen home invasion: Ninette Simons confronts Immigration Minister Andrew Giles about released detainee who allegedly bashed her
A grandmother who was allegedly beaten by a recently released prisoner has bombarded the immigration minister with questions as calls for his resignation grew.
Ninette Simons, 73, and her husband Phillip, 76, were the targets of a home invasion on April 16 when three men allegedly entered their Girrawheen home in Perth posing as police officers.
Majid Jamshidi Doukoshkan, 43, was reportedly one of the men who beat Ms Simons.
Jamshidi Doukoshkan was one of 154 men released from immigration detention after the Supreme Court ruled late last year that indefinite detention was unlawful.
Ms Simons told Immigration Minister Andrew Giles she feels abandoned by authorities after he finally contacted her on Wednesday.
She accepted Giles’ apology but demanded to know why the Commonwealth Community Protection Board ordered Jamshidi Doukoshkan’s ankle monitor removed in March despite him being on bail for previous offences.
Ninette Simons, 73, (pictured) was allegedly beaten in her home by a recently released immigration detainee. She told the immigration minister on Wednesday that she no longer feels safe
Doukoshkan was one of 154 men released from immigration detention after the Supreme Court ruled late last year that indefinite detention was unlawful. Police allege he was one of the men who beat Ms Simons
“I don’t understand how he ended up in our living room?” she asked Mr. Giles.
‘I don’t feel so safe here anymore, unfortunately not, I do my best to live here.’
WA Labor MP Anne Aly also visited Ms Simons’ home on Wednesday but declined to comment on the reason. The West Australian reports this.
Two weeks later, Ms Simons is still shaken by the harrowing ordeal
“They have failed me and the rest of the public,” she told Nine News.
Jamshidi Doukoshkan appeared in the Joondalup Magistrates Court on Monday charged with aggravated house burglary, assault, detaining a person, theft and impersonating a public servant.
He previously faced the Perth Magistrates Court on February 20, charged with two counts of failing to comply with his control conditions by breaching a 10pm to 6am curfew.
Kuwait was granted $5,000 bail that day after no objection from Commonwealth counsel, who merely warned that “further breaches may not have the same effect.”
Jamshidi Doukoshkan was warned by a magistrate that he was ‘on very thin ice’.
Jamshidi Doukoshkan was due to appear in court again on April 5, but the charges were dropped on March 22, according to The West Australian.
That same day, a court order requiring Jamshidi Doukoshkan to remain at a permanent address was halted after being in effect for about a month.
Following the decision not to pursue these charges, Jamshidi Doukoshkan was arrested again.
Three men posed as police officers and entered the home of Ninette Simons (photo) and her husband Phillip, 76 years old. Mrs Simons was beaten while her husband was tied up.
This time he was caught for trespassing and driving with an expired license and was fined $400 by the Perth Magistrates Court on April 10.
He was arrested on Sunday and charged in connection with the Girrawheen home invasion.
The Federal Opposition has repeatedly called for the immediate resignation of Mr Giles and Home Secretary Clare O’Neil.
“If they can’t explain what they’re going to do to ensure this never happens again, they should both resign,” said Liberal Senator James Paterson.
Ms Simons said the attack left her traumatized and seriously injured.
‘I’m not the same person I used to be, I can barely stand or walk. I used to be able to dance and it is very unlikely that I will do so again,” she said.
“The dizziness is driving me crazy.”
Western Australian Opposition Leader Libby Mettam said Prime Minister Roger Cook had failed to deliver on his promise that detainees in the community would be closely monitored by police.
An Australian Border Force spokesperson said the Department of Home Affairs was aware that a person in possession of a Bridging Visa R had been arrested by WA Police on Sunday.
“The safety and security of the community remains the absolute priority for the Australian Border Force and the Department of Home Affairs, and we will continue to work closely with our state and territory partners,” the spokesperson said.
The investigation is still ongoing and one suspected perpetrator is still on the run.
Jamshidi Doukoshkan was taken into custody and brought back to court on June 10.