Taha Sabbagh shooting: Le Nghia Andy Pham to remain jailed over alleged murder of Sydney father

A man accused of murdering a Sydney father in front of a 12-year-old boy in a gym car park did not apply for bail after he was arrested trying to leave the country.

A 26-year-old man will remain in jail over the alleged murder of Taha Sabbagh, who was shot in front of a child outside a Sydney gym.

Le Nghia Andy Pham did not appear at Downing Centre Local Court on Monday after he was arrested at Sydney’s international airport trying to leave the country.

He has been charged with the murder of 40-year-old Mr Sabbagh, who was shot dead in March at the carpark of Elite Fight Force gym in Sydney’s west.

Pham’s defence lawyer, Annabel Wurth, did not apply for her client’s bail, which was formally refused. The case was adjourned until June 22 for brief status mention.

Le Nghia Andy Pham was arrested on Sunday afternoon. Picture: Facebook

Police allege Mr Sabbagh was shot at least 10 times while sitting in a car with a 12-year-old boy at about 6.30am on March 2 at the Sefton gym.

Paramedics later found him injured at the scene and were unable to save him.

Pham is not accused of firing the shots but police allege he is responsible for the planning and co-ordination of the attack.

Sefton gym shooting victim Taha Sabbagh. Picture: Instagram

Police said Pham was about to board a flight out of the country when officers pounced on him on Sunday afternoon and took him Surry Hills police station.

In CCTV footage previously released by police, the child is seen opening the gate of the gym so Mr Sabbagh could drive in.

Detectives caught Pham as he was about to flee the country.

The alleged gunman is then seen rushing out of a Mazda 3 parked next to the gate and firing several shots into Sabbagh’s car.

Mr Sabbagh was going to the Elite Fight Force martial arts gym which he attended regularly.

Following the shooting, the Greenacre father was remembered at his funeral as a “beautiful person whose life was taken mistakenly and undeservedly”.

Pham was ordered to face court via audiovisual link on the next occasion.

Originally published as Taha Sabbagh shooting: Le Nghia Andy Pham to remain jailed over alleged murder of Sydney father