Queensland teen's appeal to cut 12-year murder sentence rejected

A teenage boy who, at 17, fatally stabbed 19-year-old Abddullahi Ahmed Iyow with a large hunting knife in Acacia Ridge, Brisbane, saw his bid to lessen a 12-year prison term denied by the Queensland Court of Appeal. The appeal argued the trial judge’s label of the crime as “particularly heinous” was inaccurate and that the required 70 % non-parole period was excessive. Judges David Boddice, Shane Doyle and Debra Mullins AO upheld the original sentence, noting the attack was unprovoked and brutal.

Court records show the teen told police he was “addicted to stabbing” and acted after the victim allegedly damaged his phone, jeopardising drug contacts. Psychiatric testimony highlighted severe conduct disorder, antisocial traits, PTSD and an elevated risk of future violence. The victim died on June 18 after emergency surgery, and his family described their lives as shattered.