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Gambling addict: taxi driver Edmond Afif preyed on elderly women.
Taxi driver jailed for theft
Kate Uebergang
March 15, 2008 12:00am
A TAXI driver who stole money from elderly women has been sentenced to at least six months' prison.
A County Court judge yesterday described Edmond Afif's conduct as despicable and pitiful, saying he was exploitative and predatory.
Afif, 57, used his job as a taxi driver to steal and con three elderly women out of $165 to support his gambling addiction, the court heard.
The court heard Afif told one pensioner he would punch her husband in the nose if she didn't give him $75.
Afif's crimes began in May 2004 when he entered the flat of an 89-year-old woman who'd called for a taxi and took $20 from her purse.
Three days later Afif returned to her home, intending to steal from her again, but was thwarted when he discovered a carer there.
The court heard Afif, interviewed by police, admitted going to the home, but lied and said she'd given him the $20 as a thank-you for returning her taxi charge card.
In May 2005, Afif picked up an 81-year-old woman from her home and demanded $75 for travelling across the city to collect her.
When she refused to pay, Afif told her he would punch her husband in the nose if she did not hand over the cash.
The elderly woman told him her husband had died in 1974, the court heard.
Four months later, Afif showed up at the home of a 67-year-old whom he had earlier driven in his taxi.
Afif demanded her taxi card. When she went inside to find it, he followed her into her bedroom and stole money from her purse.
The court heard Afif, a father of four, had had gambling and drinking problems.
Defence lawyer Michael Turner said that Afif had excellent prospects for rehabilitation and the support of his family.
Afif, 57, pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated burglary and three counts of theft.
Judge Geoffrey Chettle described Afif's victims as very resilient ladies, but said the taxi driver had focused on them because of their ages.
Judge Chettle sentenced Afif to 18 months' prison, but suspended 12 months of the sentence for three years.
Gambling addict: taxi driver Edmond Afif preyed on elderly women.
Taxi driver jailed for theft
Kate Uebergang
March 15, 2008 12:00am
A TAXI driver who stole money from elderly women has been sentenced to at least six months' prison.
A County Court judge yesterday described Edmond Afif's conduct as despicable and pitiful, saying he was exploitative and predatory.
Afif, 57, used his job as a taxi driver to steal and con three elderly women out of $165 to support his gambling addiction, the court heard.
The court heard Afif told one pensioner he would punch her husband in the nose if she didn't give him $75.
Afif's crimes began in May 2004 when he entered the flat of an 89-year-old woman who'd called for a taxi and took $20 from her purse.
Three days later Afif returned to her home, intending to steal from her again, but was thwarted when he discovered a carer there.
The court heard Afif, interviewed by police, admitted going to the home, but lied and said she'd given him the $20 as a thank-you for returning her taxi charge card.
In May 2005, Afif picked up an 81-year-old woman from her home and demanded $75 for travelling across the city to collect her.
When she refused to pay, Afif told her he would punch her husband in the nose if she did not hand over the cash.
The elderly woman told him her husband had died in 1974, the court heard.
Four months later, Afif showed up at the home of a 67-year-old whom he had earlier driven in his taxi.
Afif demanded her taxi card. When she went inside to find it, he followed her into her bedroom and stole money from her purse.
The court heard Afif, a father of four, had had gambling and drinking problems.
Defence lawyer Michael Turner said that Afif had excellent prospects for rehabilitation and the support of his family.
Afif, 57, pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated burglary and three counts of theft.
Judge Geoffrey Chettle described Afif's victims as very resilient ladies, but said the taxi driver had focused on them because of their ages.
Judge Chettle sentenced Afif to 18 months' prison, but suspended 12 months of the sentence for three years.