Jailed killer Ali Chaouk indicates he will plead on weapons charge, as another struck out

A convicted killer gunman behind bars for murdering a member of a rival family has fronted a Geelong court on fresh charges.

Ali Chaouk in 2018. Picture: James Ross/AAP

A convicted killer gunman behind bars for murdering a member of a rival family has fronted a Geelong court on fresh charges.

Ali Chaouk, 44, was caught with a weapon in Barwon Prison just before Christmas last year, on December 22.

He appeared in Geelong Magistrates Court via video link on Wednesday, charged with affray and possessing a category one item – a weapon.

Speaking on his own behalf, Chaouk said he was “happy” to plead guilty on the weapons charge, and magistrate John Lesser struck out the affray charge.

The date for a formal plea hearing has been set for June 5, with Chaouk ultimately deciding to speak to his lawyer about the matter.

Mr Lesser told the murderer he could not offer him advice on whether or not he should speak to his lawyer before the hearing, but said any potential jail time he received for the offence would be added on to Chaouk’s current sentence.

Chaouk was jailed in 2019 for the 2009 shooting murder of Mohammed Haddara, a member of a rival family, on a suburban street in Altona North.

Mr Haddara was shot five times, including three times in the back, following a dispute over a Mercedes he had borrowed for his sister’s wedding.

Chaouk was sentenced to a maximum of 24 years and the court heard his earliest release date was still 13 years away.

In sentencing Chaouk, justice Kevin Bell said there was “great animosity” between Chaouk and his victim, with the two families reportedly having a longstanding feud.

Chaouk has spent much of his life in prison, with Justice Bell stating that the murder occurred in the “one year” he wasn’t in prison.

Chaouk maintained his innocence and appealed his conviction, however his appeal was thrown out after panel of Supreme Court justices found his appeal was “without substance” in 2022.

Under Victorian law category one items in prison include controlled weapons, dangerous articles or prohibited weapons.

Originally published as Jailed killer Ali Chaouk indicates he will plead on weapons charge, as another struck out