Omar Saraya in alleged rage attack at Covid testing clinic

A 18-year-old has faced court accused of pulling a man from his car while in line at a Covid drive-through and allegedly punching and kneeing him.

A teenager accused of unleashing an attack on a 55-year-old man in a bizarre road rage incident at a Covid testing clinic has denied all allegations before the court today.

Omar Saraya, 18, is accused of breaking the arm of the older man in a fiery argument at a drive thru testing clinic at Everly Rd, Auburn on Tuesday afternoon.

Omar Saraya. Picture: Christian Gilles

The teenager is accused of attacking a 55-year-old man. Picture: Christian Gilles

Police allege the Merrylands teenager, who works full-time as a traffic controller, was wearing a blue and gold dressing gown when he pulled the older man from his vehicle before repeatedly punching and kicking him. He is then alleged to have fled the scene.
The court heard it is alleged the incident was triggered by the older man taking issue with the teenager’s driving.

Soraya then allegedly grabbed the man by the collar and pulled him out of the car before punching the 55-year-old to the head.

When the alleged victim stumbled to the ground, the court heard the teenager threw more punches and kneed him to the ribs.

Magistrate Horan said there was a “high level of stress” in the community and that “people are entitled to attend for a Covid test and feel safe”.

An 18-year-old Merrylands man has been arrested after an incident at a Covid testing clinic. Picture: NSW Police

In Burwood Local Court on Friday Saraya entered not guilty pleas to the two charges of reckless grievous bodily harm and negligent driving.

His lawyer Ben Clark asked for the teenager to be released on bail to return home to live with his parents and siblings, noting he has no criminal record and doesn’t drink alcohol or smoke.

“This was a one-off,” he said. “He has entered pleas of not guilty. We have a completely diametrically opposed view of what the facts are to how this matter occurred.”

He said despite the older man suffering a broken arm, the police fact sheet didn’t allege Saraya striking that area of the body at any stage.

The police prosecutor opposed bail on the basis of concerns that Saraya would commit serious offences if granted bail and the community would be put at risk.

The court was told Saraya’s family had co-operated with the police investigation, handing over CCTV footage and clothes from the Merrylands.

Magistrate Susan Horan granted him bail with house arrest like conditions.

Soraya was granted bail on the condition he only leaves his Merrylands home in the company of either his mum or dad.