NSW: Murder charge dropped against boy, 14

AAP General News (Australia)
04-23-2004
NSW: Murder charge dropped against boy, 14

By Kim Arlington

SYDNEY, April 23 AAP - A murder charge against a teenage boy over the shooting of a
Sydney chemist was dropped today.

The boy, from Cabramatta West, was just 13 when he was charged with the murder of Emad Youssef.

The 38-year-old father-of-two was shot at point-blank range as he left his Canley Heights
pharmacy, in Sydney's south-west, on August 1 last year.

A briefcase containing the day's takings also was stolen.

Later that month the boy - who cannot be named - was arrested and charged with the murder.

A 32-year-old man also was charged with Mr Youssef's murder and armed robbery.

Now 14, the boy was to face a committal hearing at Bidura Children's Court today.

But Michael Crowe, for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), informed the court
that the murder charge had been withdrawn.

He did not indicate why the charge was dropped.

Also withdrawn was a charge of aggravated sexual assault in company, relating to the
assault of a woman in a store neighbouring Mr Youssef's pharmacy four days before the
fatal shooting.

However, the boy pleaded guilty to sexual intercourse without consent over the incident,
as well as assaulting another woman at the store with an act of indecency.

He admitted robbing the second woman of $6,500 while armed with a knife on July 28
last year, and assault with intent to rob.

The boy also pleaded guilty to hindering the discovery of evidence following the murder.

According to documents tendered to the court, the boy disposed of Mr Youssef's briefcase
some time between August 1 and August 3 last year.

Magistrate Clare Farnan today formally dismissed the murder charge against the boy.

He was remanded for sentencing on May 21.

AAP ka/nf/pw/de

KEYWORD: YOUSSEF NIGHTLEAD

2004 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.