Hooligan Skinny: Engu ‘Justice’ Tavai break and enter charge dropped
A popular western Sydney rapper has been arrested over his alleged involvement in an armed and violent robbery following a DNA breakthrough.
Blacktown
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A popular western Sydney rapper has been cleared of serious break and enter charge that, if convicted, could have seen him spend up to 25 in prison.
Engu ‘Justice’ Tavia, better known by his rapper name Hooligan Skinny, was facing a strictly indictable charge over a 2018 break and enter in Toongabbie.
Tavai was charged last year with aggravated break and enter to commit a serious indictable offence with weapon after DNA evidence found on the door of the property allegedly linked the rapper to the crime.
In Penrith Local Court on Friday, the Director of Public Prosecutions formally withdrew the charge.
Hooligan Skinny, who also goes by the moniker 'Aka That Driller' is one of several members of the ‘Hooligan Squad’, which is made up of three rappers who grew up as Doonside locals, proudly repping the ‘67’.
The '67' is a drill rap gang who start their songs by saying 67, referring to the last two numbers of the Doonside postcode 2767.
Hooligan Skinny most notably collaborates with fellow rapper Hooligan Hefs.
Rapper’s armed robbery charge after DNA find
- September 17,2021
A popular rapper has been told he could face up to 25 years in jail if convicted of an aggravated robbery.
Engu ‘Justice’ Tavai, better known by his stage name Hooligan Skinny, appeared before Blacktown Court on Thursday.
The court heard the alleged offence dates back to February 28, 2018.
The prosecutor told the court that he was armed when he kicked in the door of a Toongabbie home and committed a “serious indictable offence” and “robbery in circumstances of special aggravation”.
The court heard it was only recently he was linked to the alleged crime following the discovery of DNA found on the door that he allegedly kicked in.
Mobile cell tower data also placed his phone in the vicinity of the Rossvale Street, Toongabbie crime scene, the court heard.
Tavai is a popular rapper who also goes by the name ‘Hooligan Skinny’
He is one of several members of the ‘Hooligans’ and ‘67’ groups from Doonside, which includes rapper Hooligan Hefs.
At the time of his arrest he was already on strict conditional bail for an unrelated offence, the court heard.
In applying for bail for the fresh matter, Tavai’s lawyer argued in court that he had adhered to the strict bail conditions that have been in place for 10 months.
The police prosecutor opposed bail, adding: “the offence is very serious with acts of violence”.
He told the court that if convicted he could be handed a custodial sentence of up to 25 years.”
Magistrate Cate Follent said: “I consider there to be risks for bail based on the fact sheet and the possible endangerment and safety of witnesses as well as possible interfering.”
However, she added: “The proposed bail conditions are sufficient but they will be strict.”
Tavai was released on bail on the conditions he does not enter Toongabbie and reports to the police daily.
Magistrate Follent warned Tavai he is accused of an “extremely serious offence,” adding: “any breaches (of bail) will find you in custody for a very long time”
The matter will return to Blacktown Court in November
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