An Adelaide grandmother has received the jail sentence for two thieves who left her “black and blue” when she was robbed of her $ 5,000 victory.
Key points:
- Eva Donlon was robbed of her $ 5,000 victory by two men
- The couple will spend a total of 15 years in prison
- Ms Donlon says she is “surprised” by the ruling
Eva Donlon, 85, was attacked at her Woodcroft home after being followed from the Lonsdale Hotel in August 2019, where she had won a $ 5,000 jackpot.
His attackers, Joobin Rafii, 43, and Nima Saboohian, 42, have been sentenced in the District Court to seven years and seven months in prison and seven years and three months in prison respectively.
Rafii was sentenced to four years and seven months without parole, while Saboohian will be entitled to parole two months earlier.
Both were convicted of robbery with force and robbery.
Donlon said he was pleased with the conviction and “shocked” that they had received a combination of 15 years in prison, given that more serious crimes are often fewer.
“I’m very surprised. I’m glad, somehow, that the judge wasn’t lenient with them, and maybe he’ll give a lesson to another stupid person,” Ms. Donlon said.
“If they get slapped on the wrist, it won’t make a difference.”
The victim suffers continued trauma
The widow said that at the time of the attack she was only trying to survive and continues to have “terrible reactions” to the “scare” she experienced that night.
“I am a strong person. I am not afraid to do it [anything] or try new things, “he said.
“I thought it wouldn’t be very useful for me to just collapse inside.”
Mrs. Donlon said she grabbed her shoe and started fighting.
Eva Donlon recreates hitting thieves with a shoe at her Woodcroft home. (ABC News)
“It was shocking. It was terrible. I was black and blue everywhere,” he said.
“As I didn’t break a hip, I really don’t know, that was the first luck I had.
“I have no idea why they were so stupid. I really don’t get it.”
She said she would have given the money to Rafii and Saboohian if they had told her what they wanted, but they did not talk to her before the attack.
“Money doesn’t buy you health and happiness. Money is useful to have, good to spend,” he said.
“But I think [criminals] they should think … a lot, a lot, before they plan to do anything. Don’t go out and hurt people, or worse, for financial gain. “