Bail for man charged over the alleged murder of bodybuilder Hedi Ayoub in Punchbowl

A MAN allegedly involved in the shooting murder of a bodybuilder in a park in Sydney’s west has been granted bail.

A MAN allegedly involved in the shooting murder of a bodybuilder in a Sydney park has been granted bail.

Supreme Court Justice David Davies said it will be at least 2017 before Mohammed El-Chami, 25, goes to trial over the murder of 22-year-old Hedi Ayoub.

He ordered El-Chami be released on strict bail conditions including that he not leave his family home without one or both of his parents, who have put up their $950,000 Lakemba home as a surety.

The crown alleges that El-Chami, who faced court via video link today, was part of a joint criminal enterprise involved in the murder of Mr Ayoub whose body was found against a tree near a children’s playground in June last year.

It’s not alleged El-Chami was the shooter.

Crown prosecutor Sharon Willis said the alleged offence was a public assassination that happened in a park in broad daylight, about 4.30pm.

The playground where Hedi Ayoub was allegedly killed. Picture: Richard Dobson

The crown case is that Mr Ayoub was initially shot in the arm and leg then followed to where he tried to hide behind a tree where he was surrounded by the men, including El-Chami, as he was shot again in the head and chest, killing him.

It’s also alleged El-Chami was with the shooter in the moments leading up to the killing.

El-Chami’s lawyer, Greg James QC, said there was no evidence his client was aware of the shooter’s intentions.

Justice Davies indicated while the crown case against El-Chami was circumstantial, it was strong.

But he said it was likely El-Chami would spend at least 18 months to two years in custody waiting for the matter to proceed to trial.

“If it’s not clear already, your parents are going out on a limb for you,” Justice Davies told El-Chami as he released him on bail.

“You only get one chance in a charge like this.”

Bail conditions will allow El-Chami to return to his job as a courier as long as his vehicle can be tracked.