Queensland’s Court of Appeal has rejected a teenager’s attempt to reduce his sentence for the fatal stabbing of 19-year-old Abddullahi Ahmed Iyow in Brisbane’s south.
The offender, who cannot be identified under Queensland youth justice laws, pleaded guilty to murder after attacking Mr Ahmed Iyow with a large hunting knife at Acacia Ridge in May 2024. He was 17 at the time.
Three appeal judges upheld the original 12-year sentence and the requirement that the teenager serve at least 70 per cent of that term before becoming eligible for release.
Court upholds finding that attack was particularly heinous
The teenager was sentenced in the Supreme Court in April 2025. The sentencing judge classified the murder as “particularly heinous”, a finding that allowed the court to set a longer minimum period in custody than would ordinarily apply to a child offender.
In seeking leave to appeal, the teenager argued that the offence should not have received that classification. His application also contended that the sentencing decision did not give sufficient weight to steps he had taken towards rehabilitation and that the 70 per cent minimum was manifestly excessive.
Justices David Boddice, Shane Doyle and Debra Mullins jointly refused the application this week, leaving the sentence unchanged. Their decision means the offender must continue serving the term imposed last year.
Dispute over damaged phone preceded stabbing
Court material said the teenager and Mr Ahmed Iyow had been walking towards a park when they became involved in a confrontation. The offender later told police he stabbed the young man after Mr Ahmed Iyow had damaged his phone earlier that day, causing him to lose contacts associated with drug dealing.
Mr Ahmed Iyow suffered wounds to his arm, hand, leg, stomach and abdomen. He underwent emergency surgery and was placed on life support, but died on June 18, 2024, from his injuries.
The sentencing court found the attack had effectively been unprovoked. Statements attributed to the offender after the stabbing were also considered, including comments showing indifference to whether the victim survived.
Psychiatric evidence examined by the courts
A psychiatric report tendered during the proceedings outlined a complex personal and behavioural history. It said the teenager had consumed alcohol, Xanax, cannabis and codeine syrup in the two days before the attack.
The report assessed him as having a severe conduct disorder with antisocial personality traits, post-traumatic stress disorder and oppositional defiance towards family and authority. It also found that he met criteria for an intellectual disability and presented an above-average risk of further violent offending.
Although he had no recorded criminal history before the murder, the offender disclosed involvement in earlier gang-related conduct, including a kidnapping that had not previously come to police attention.
The appeal judges considered the arguments about the teenager’s circumstances and rehabilitation but declined to interfere with the sentence or the original assessment of the crime.
Family described enduring impact of the killing
Mr Ahmed Iyow’s family previously said the murder had shattered their lives and taken a young man who had his future ahead of him. The case also produced a tense moment at the 2025 sentencing hearing, when the victim’s brother allegedly lunged at the offender with a pen and caused minor injuries to his back. The 22-year-old was subsequently charged with assault occasioning bodily harm.
The appeal outcome closes the teenager’s present attempt to shorten his minimum period of detention. The court’s refusal leaves intact both the 12-year term and the finding that the circumstances warranted the elevated 70 per cent minimum.
The decision also underscores the scope available to Queensland courts to impose stricter custodial requirements on young offenders when a killing is found to be especially grave, while still considering age, disability, personal history and prospects for rehabilitation.
