Tony Mokbel Walks Free After Sentence Reduction
Gangland figure Tony Mokbel will not return to jail after his major drug trafficking sentence was significantly reduced on appeal. Originally sentenced in 2012 to 30 years in prison with a non-parole period of 22 years, Mokbel had pleaded guilty to leading a complex drug syndicate in three separate criminal cases.
Original Sentence Details
- 30-year imprisonment handed down in 2012
- Non-parole period set at 22 years
- 20 years of the sentence pertained to a single case
Sentence Reduction and Court Proceedings
On Thursday, the court shortened Mokbel's sentence to 13 years, seven months, and 15 days, which was recognized as "time already served" before the appeal was heard. Mokbel honored the justices with a bow, shared a kiss with his girlfriend, smiled broadly, and left quietly into his legal team’s chambers.
“He is taken to have served that entire sentence,” said Justice Stephen McLeish, explaining that the resentencing considered Mokbel's quashed Plutonium conviction in 2023, a head injury suffered during incarceration, and the fact that he was sentenced as a first-time drug offender.
Appeal Court Decisions on Related Cases
- One major drug conviction (Quills) was unanimously quashed
- A retrial was ordered for the second conviction (Orbital)
- The third conviction (Magnum) was upheld
The Court of Appeal, comprised of Justices Stephen McLeish, Maree Kennedy, and Stephen Kaye, delivered these unanimous decisions on October 3.
Despite his serious offenses, Mokbel's sentence was reassessed to reflect new legal considerations and personal circumstances.
Author's summary: Tony Mokbel’s substantial drug trafficking sentence was reduced on appeal, leading to his immediate release and reflecting changes in his legal convictions and personal health factors.