Mohammad Zreika pleads not guilty after Westfield brawl
A teen barber charged after a broad daylight brawl at a Westfield with alleged Alameddine crime network associates will fight the charge, a court heard.
Central Sydney
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A teen barber allegedly involved in a brawl with alleged Alameddine crime network associates will claim self defence when he fights the charge, a court heard.
Police have alleged Ali Elmoubayed, his brother Khaled Elmoubayed, associate Ahmed Alameddine and a fourth man came to blows with cousins Mohammad and Zane Zreika at Westfield Sydney on June 21 in a bust-up that saw luxury bags go flying.
Mohammad Zreika appeared at Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday to seek a bail variation and plead not guilty to affray.
His solicitor asked the court to delete a condition he could not enter Town Hall and his bail reporting requirement.
“He’s 19, he has no criminal history, there’s an open defence of self defence, he’s a barber full time and does some steel fixing part time and it affects his employment,” his solicitor told the court.
Magistrate Daniel Covington reduced Mohammad Zreika’s reporting to Fridays only and deleted the restriction preventing him from entering Town Hall.
Mohammad Zreika will instead only be prevented from entering Westfield Sydney.
His matter was adjourned to August 30 for reply.
Zane Zreika was not required to appear at court in person and his matter was also adjourned to August 30 for reply.
Police have previously accused Ali Elmoubayed, in particular, of involvement with the Alameddine crime network.
Ali Elmoubayed denies this allegation and has pleaded not guilty to affray in respect of the incident.
His brother Khaled has also pleaded not guilty to affray, and police failed in a bid to revoke his bail for unrelated matters at his first appearance on that charge.
His matter returns to court on August 11.
Ahmed Alameddine – who Ali Elmoubayed’s barrister Greg James also denied had any association with the Alameddine crime network – has pleaded not guilty to affray and failing to comply with a digital evidence production order.
His matter also returns to court on August 11.
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