Pupils Preyed On For Computers, Court Told
The Age
Tuesday July 21, 1998
Students from some of Melbourne's best schools, including Methodist Ladies College and Camberwell Grammar, were preyed on for their laptop computers, a court heard yesterday.
The Melbourne Magistrates Court was told that the students, three girls and two boys aged between 15 and 18, were robbed after school within the past week.
Detective Senior Constable Andrew Stamper alleged that some of the students were selected by Basil Abdel-Rahim, his brother, Wysam Abdel-Rahim, and Andy Mark Frendo because they knew ``they were required to carry laptops" by their schools.
Senior Constable Stamper said that Frendo, 18, carried a stun gun during one incident because he feared that one of the students might offer resistance. The three computers stolen last Friday were later sold for a total of $900.
Ms Luisa Dipietrantonio, prosecuting, said that the pair had ``preyed upon school children going home from school with laptop computers".
Wysam, 19, a student, of Findon Street, Hawthorn, who was previously bailed without opposition, is charged with armed robbery and robbery.
Basil, a student, of Bulleen Road, Balwyn, is charged with armed robbery, theft and handling stolen goods and Frendo, unemployed, of Emma Court, Thomastown, is charged with armed robbery and theft.
The magistrate, Mr Brian Barrow, refused bail for Basil, but released Frendo, who was banned from entering a number of suburbs, including Mont Albert, Canterbury and Kew.
© 1998 The Age
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