Christian Nassar aka Ryan O’Hara: Alleged fraudster in bail bid
An alleged repeat fraudster awaiting trial on almost 600 charges chewed nervously on his finger nails as he made a fresh bid for freedom in court. He claimed he just wants to live with his mum in Mount Pritchard – but the prosecution raised fears he would vanish.
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A judge has said there is no chance a man alleged to be at the heart of a multimillion-dollar car fraud syndicate, who once escaped Parklea Prison, should be granted bail.
Christian Nassar, also known as Ryan O’Hara, is awaiting trial on almost 600 charges related to an alleged long-term fraud syndicate, which included now slain Comanchero gang member Shane Antony Ross.
Police allege the group dishonestly obtained individuals’ identification materials and then made fraudulent financial loan applications to purchase vehicles, which they would sell at a higher price.
A Supreme bail court heard he also gambled enormous sums of money through The Star casino.
In denying bail, Justice Richard Button said he was a “recidivist offender” who had carried out deception with false documents, had given false names to police on many occasions and had escaped from police custody twice.
Mr Nassar appeared on screen from Long Bay in his prison greens, constantly biting his fingernails.
In June, Justice Christine Adamson of the Supreme Court denied Mr Nassar bail for fear he could “create a false identity at the drop of a hat” and “disappear into the Australian community without a trace”.
In asking for bail again on Wednesday, defence barrister Mark Rumore argued it was much more difficult to “jump on a boat or plane and leave the jurisdiction” during COVID-19 than it was before.
But conceded it was possible one could “hide out within the community in secret”.
Mr Nassar also offered an extra $5000 surety to the court and asked he be allowed to stay with his mother on practical house-arrest in Mount Pritchard.
The court heard it is possible Mr Nassar wouldn’t receive a trial date until late 2021, where a jury would need to hear the contents of a 706-page crown document, with the trial to possibly take “many months”.
Mr Nassar was arrested on April 13, 2019.
In his brief remarks denying bail, Justice Button said Mr Nassar is accused of committing a “massive fraud over an extended period”, which was not particularly sophisticated but “highly remunerative”.
“(There’s an) extremely strong case against O’Hara,” Justice Button said.
“In light of the quantum involved and his criminal record, it’s inevitable he will be spending many years in prison”.
The court also heard in a successful attempt to escape police, Nassar “inflicted serious physical injury on a police officer”.
“There is no question of this man being granted bail. I refuse bail,” Justice Button ended.