Salim Mehajer accused of slapping inmate over smuggled steroids

It appears Salim Mehajer just can’t keep himself out of trouble — even while in jail. The Sunday Telegraph can reveal the disgraced former developer allegedly assaulted a fellow inmate over a bungled attempt to smuggle in steroids.

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Jailed property developer Salim Mehajer has allegedly assaulted a fellow inmate by slapping him in the face over a bungled attempt to smuggle in steroids.

The inmate, who was treated for minor injuries to his face, is been placed in protective custody.

The incident is alleged to have occurred at around 11am on February 7 at Cooma jail where the disgraced Auburn councillor is NSW is serving a minimum 11 month sentence for engaging in a joint criminal enterprise with his sister aimed at influencing the 2012 council vote.

Corrective Services NSW confirmed a 37-year-old inmate had been placed on non-contact visits for allegedly attempting to obtain contraband from a visitor.

A department spokeswoman said a 32-year-old is alleged to have assaulted the older inmate in relation to the attempt.

Salim Mehajer allegedly assaulted a fellow inmate at Cooma Correctional Centre by slapping him on the face. Picture: Brendan Esposito

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“Cooma Correctional Centre placed a 37-year-old inmate on non-contact visits after an intelligence report suggested he planned to receive contraband, including steroids, from a visitor,” she said.

“The steroids were allegedly being smuggled into the prison for another inmate.

“Around 11am, on Thursday 7 February, the 37-year-old inmate was allegedly slapped by a 32-year-old inmate at the centre.”

The 37-year-old was treated for “minor injuries” to the left side of his face, and has declined to pursue police action.

He has since been placed in protective custody as investigations continue into the incident.

It is understood there were no witnesses to the alleged assault.

A prison source claimed Mehajer, 32, had been involved in one of several assaults that had occurred at the minimum to medium security jail in recent weeks “all over getting steroids in”.

However, it is understood no contraband has entered the jail with officers thwarted all attempts.

Mr Mehajer, who is due to be released in May, was described last week by his lawyer as “probably one of the most hated people in Australia”.

Mehajer taken from a prison truck to face court.

Cooma Correctional Centre.

The comment was made on Wednesday during a hearing in Downing Centre District Court which is deliberating if Mehajer should have his conviction quashed for assaulting Seven Network journalist Laura Banks.

The former Auburn deputy mayor was found guilty of assault after slamming a car door on Banks as he tried to leave a Sydney police station in April 2017.

At the hearing, Judge Graham Turnbull said the media pack that pursued Mehajer meant the assault occurred under the most “remarkable, unique and disturbing” conditions for a man leaving a police station.

Despite the circumstances, Mehajer lost his appeal with the court ruling on Friday that Mehajer had been “reckless” in not checking if Banks was beside the car.

Last year, Mehajer was put in solitary confinement after allegedly assaulting a prison officer while in jail.

A court also heard Mehajer had been hoarding medication in his jail cell, which he later declared as being “an innocent mistake”.

Originally published as Salim Mehajer accused of slapping inmate over smuggled steroids