Ali Qussay Yousuf: Former immigration detainee intends to plead guilty after dangerous driving charge

A former immigration detainee who was repeatedly granted bail before allegedly running a red light and crashing into another car has flagged an intention to plead guilty to dangerous driving. Ali Qussay Yousuf was allegedly driving a Nissan Dualis in Doubleview when he went through the intersection before smashing into another car, seriously injuring another driver about 5am on November 29. After spending Christmas and New Year’s behind bars, Mr Yousuf fronted Perth Magistrates Court via video link on Tuesday. The court was told Mr Yousuf intends to plead guilty to the dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm offence. The case was adjourned after the prosecution said it needed more time to consider a plea deal. The accused will next face court on Friday where he is expected to formally plead guilty. During another court appearance last month, Mr Yousuf — one of 149 people released by a High Court ruling last year — Magistrate Sarah Oliver threatened to mute Mr Yousef if he did not stop asking for bail. “A magistrate at your appearance last week refused you bail. I’m not considering bail again,” Ms Oliver said. “Stop talking about it or I will mute you”. He is facing multiple other charges over an alleged 12-month crime-spree across Perth including possessing prohibited weapons, possessing a firearm or ammunition, stealing, driving with drugs in his system, possessing methamphetamine, driving without a licence, stealing a car and careless driving. He has pleaded not guilty to some of those offences and has opted to fight the allegations in a trial. Police Minister Paul Papalia has criticised parts of the judiciary for repeatedly letting Mr Yousuf out on bail prior to the Doubleview crash despite prosecutors opposing it. “Anyone I think, would be wondering why some of the judiciary appeared so out of step with community expectations on these types of matters,” Mr Papalia said. Last year, the High Court ruled that immigration detainees — including those convicted of violent crimes — could not be kept in custody indefinitely. The decision also led to the release of Majid Jamshidi Doukoshkan, who was allegedly involved in the brutal bashing of a grandmother in her Girrawheen home in April.