Man charged over North Adelaide crime spree in which hospitality figure’s home was targeted

One of South Australia's most famous restaurant names has allegedly been assaulted during an invasion of his North Adelaide mansion. Picture: 9News

Top restaurant identity Walter Ventura was the victim of an assault by a weapon-wielding man at his North Adelaide home, a court has heard – and the person arrested was already banned from approaching him.

Joseph Paul Chehade, however, has denied any wrongdoing, saying he is not a violent person and that there is no reason for anyone to fear him.

He also said he worked with Mr Ventura, that “people have issues with business” and he was “happy to let it go and move on” if they wanted to “sort their s*** out”.

On Monday, Mr Chehade, 37, of North Adelaide, faced the Adelaide Magistrates Court charged with one count of damaging a building or motor vehicle.

He is further charged with aggravated counts of serious criminal trespass in a place of residence, assault causing harm and assault with a weapon.

SA Police documents, filed with the court, allege Mr Ventura – son of Italian dining pioneer Vittorio Ventura – was the victim of two of those offences, which occurred at North Adelaide.

They allege Mr Chehade caused damage to Mr Ventura’s home, at Lefevre Tce, about 4am on Sunday and later returned to assault him physically.

They further allege he assaulted Colin Martin, 66, on O’Connell St in North Adelaide about 9.30am on Sunday.

Joe Chehade is arrested in North Adelaide on Sunday. Picture: 9News

Restaurateur Walter Ventura in the early 2000s. Picture: The Advertiser Library

On Monday, prosecutors said they did not oppose Mr Chehade’s release on bail – a position queried by Magistrate Brian Nitschke.

He said Mr Chehade’s court file showed he was already banned, under existing court orders, from going within 50m of Mr Ventura and “a number of other persons”.

“But, given bail is not opposed, I will grant bail in the sum of $2000,” he said.

Mr Nitschke banned Mr Chehade, under the terms of his bail, from approaching Mr Ventura or his home, and also from contacting him in any way.

He further banned him from approaching or contacting Mr Martin, and ordered he face court again on both his new charges and his existing matter in October.

Asked outside court if he was “a violent person”, Mr Chehade replied “no, definitely not” and said the allegations made in court were “not true”.

“I’ll leave it for now, you can talk to Walter and (see) if he has any comments,” he said.

“People have issues with business, and it’s up to them if they want to sort their s*** out, but I’m happy to let it go and move on.”

The historic North Adelaide home of a prominent hospitality figure was left with multiple smashed windows. Picture: 9News

Mr Chehade’s arrest, on Sunday, was captured by TV news cameras.

“All right, I’ll be honest with you guys. Yes, I did it … I’ll take the rap, it’s got to stop,” he was heard telling officers.

In a statement, police said the incidents “were not random” and “all parties” were “known to each other”.

“When police arrived, they located the victim, a 57-year-old man, with minor injuries,” they said.

“He was taken to hospital for treatment.

“The suspect, a 37-year-old man from North Adelaide, was still present at the scene and was arrested without incident.

“Investigations are continuing.”

Mr Ventura remains a creative force in SA’s hospitality industry, despite having scaled back his involvement in recent years.

He has founded or revamped eateries including Ruby Red Flamingo, Tony Tomatoes, Hispanic Mechanic, Mexican Society, Singapore House and Cliche.