Drug dealer sentenced for crimes against three victims, police chases

A drug dealer embarked on a meth-affected spree of threatening offending that resulted in three police chases earlier this year.

Navid Kayvan Shokoohi, 30, was sentenced to two-and-a-half year’s jail by the ACT Supreme Court on Friday (6 December), which was suspended to account for time-served, recently released sentencing remarks say.

On the morning of 9 May 2024, he drove a Ford Ranger into a man’s driveway, blocking his exit, while he had what appeared to be a 30 cm-long knife in his lap.

“You slept with my wife. Give me your money. I’m going to kill you,” he told the man.

He drove off but returned three more times over 20 minutes, threatening the man each time.

Not long afterwards, he drove to a construction site and yelled at a tradesman, referring to his family and pointing a baton-like implement at him.

Kayvan Shokoohi smashed the window of this tradesman’s car and stole his keys and phone, then approached a car belonging to a third victim, from which he also stole keys and a phone.

He drove off and police tried to get him to pull over several times as he drove through Canberra that afternoon. However, he failed to stop for them.

Police deployed a tyre deflation device, damaging a tyre on his car, but he continued driving until officers managed to intercept him in Lyneham and placed him under arrest.

“Police believed the offender to be under the influence of drugs, having regard to his manner of driving, physical demeanour, slurred speech, mood swings and that he was falling asleep,” Justice Verity McWilliam said.

“A sample of his blood was taken and found positive for methylamphetamine.”

When police searched his car, they found about 50 grams of amphetamine, digital scales, around $10,000 cash, as well as large quantities of clip-seal bags and elastic bands.

Justice McWilliam said he failed to stop driving for police three times over 34 minutes.

“Road users and pedestrians were potentially at risk, although there is no mention of actual motorists or pedestrians taking evasive action,” she said.

She said he had been under the influence of drugs at the time and he admitted being previously involved in small-scale drug supply to fund his own habit.

“The offender had limited memory of the offences, due to his regular methylamphetamine use and psychosis leading up to and during the offences,” Justice McWilliam said.

“He reportedly displayed some insight into the impact of his behaviour, stating that he was glad no one was injured as a result.

“He reported ‘occasional [drug] use’, which would escalate to ‘benders’ lasting a couple of weeks or longer.”

Kayvan Shokoohi, who spent 12 days in custody before he was granted bail, pleaded guilty to charges related to dangerous driving, drug trafficking, assault, threatening to kill a person, threatening to endanger a person’s health and damaging property.

He went to a drug residential rehabilitation facility after his crime spree and said he wanted to continue his treatment after it finishes later this year.

McWilliam suspended his jail sentence after he served 12 days, which accounted for time served.

The remainder of the jail time was suspended if he completes a two-year good behaviour order, part of which includes a program that teaches him skills and coping strategies.