Jamal Alameddine bailed on charges of gun possession after Liverpool taxi sting

Police have been left fuming after the uncle of Alameddine crime boss Rafat was allowed to walk free on bail despite allegedly being caught in possession of a gun.

Police have been left fuming after the uncle of Alameddine crime boss Rafat was allowed to walk free on bail despite allegedly being caught in possession of a gun while being subject to a firearm prohibition order.

Jamal Alameddine, 51, was riding in the back of a taxi on Campbell St at Liverpool, in Sydney’s west, about 6.30am on Tuesday when it was stopped by police – who allegedly found a loaded pistol, $9000 and drugs inside.

But despite already being subject to a court order banning him from possessing a gun, Magistrate Melissa Humphreys granted Alameddine bail in Liverpool Local Court the same day.

That decision has baffled senior police who said the efforts of officers to put an end to violence — such as the conflict between the Alameddine and Hamzy crime networks — with restrictions such as FPOs, were coming undone almost instantly at the hands of the courts.

“The reality is what deterrence is there?” one source said.

“It’s frustrating, you take guns off the streets, you take criminals off the streets and you’re trying to disrupt their criminal networks and then the next day they’re walking free. What’s the deterrent there?

“The judiciary has to catch up to what’s happening on the streets.

“As we’ve seen (in the case of Salim Hamze), today’s offender is tomorrow’s victim.”

Rafat Alameddine leaving Parramatta Police station in 2019. Picture: Adam Yip

Jamal Alameddine is the brother of Stephen, whose sons are Rafat — the supposed leader of the crime clan carrying his family’s name — and Talal, who is currently serving a jail sentence for supplying the gun used in the shooting of NSW Police accountant Curtis Cheng.

In granting Alameddine bail, Magistrate Humphreys said: “It is one where in my view at this point in time the strength of the Crown case is neutral.”

The decision to allow Alameddine out on bail comes after similar decisions were highlighted by The Daily Telegraph, leading Attorney-General Mark Speakman to refer them to the Bail Act Monitoring Group for review.

Teenage gangster Salim Hamze – who was later shot dead – Finks bikie Daniel Middlebrook, Alameddine associate Trent Jeske and Charbel Attie were all charged with gun possession offences, but later granted bail.

Police Minister David Elliott said the latest Alameddine call was another “frustrating” decision.

“I share the community’s frustration with the court’s decision,” Mr Elliott told The Daily Telegraph.

“Unfortunately this is not uncommon and highlights the challenges that our police face on the job.

“The community would expect that an individual found in possession of a gun while subject to a Firearms Prohibition Order will not be granted bail.”

Jamal Alameddine.

Opposition police spokesman Walt Secord has also been outspoken on the need for tighter bail laws and said if things were not changed soon, new premier Dominic Perrottet should move Mr Speakman on from the role of Attorney-General.

“The Liberals and Nationals introduced the current bail scheme in 2013 and they have been an absolute failure,” Mr Secord said.

“The government’s revolving door spitting out dangerous, violent criminals back onto our streets is simply disgraceful.

“The community is furious about these failed laws and criminals are mocking the laws.

“Families and police have had a gut full of Attorney-General Mark Speakman’s refusal to listen … no more calling for reviews, briefing notes and transcripts, it is time a new Attorney-General fixed these bail laws.”

In response Mr Speakman defended his position, telling The Daily Telegraph being the Attorney-General was “one of the greatest privileges” in government.

He said he was also confident the Bail Act Monitoring Group would make any “necessary” reforms.

“The community also expects their Attorneys-General to treat complex matters seriously, which is why I’ve asked the Bail Act Monitoring Group to consider whether any reforms may be necessary,” he said.

“In NSW, politicians don’t and shouldn’t decide who gets bail.

“Our magistrates and judges have to decide only on the material put before them whether to keep an accused in custody or grant them bail. Where appropriate, they can and do order tough conditions that can include effective house arrest.

“Judicial officers must also consider the legal presumption of innocence, a centuries old cornerstone of our criminal justice system.”