Abbas Hayder Al-Khafaji: Allegedly drove car into Narellan McDonalds

A man who allegedly ploughed his Mercedes into the front doors of a McDonalds restaurant, before threatening staff with a knife, has appeared in court.

A man who allegedly chased down his partner and drove a car through the front entry of a McDonalds restaurant has appeared in court.

Video footage of Abbas Hayder Al-Khafaji, 27, of Oran Park, allegedly driving a gold-coloured Mercedes into the glass doors of Narellan McDonalds on Thursday night, narrowly missing his partner, was shown in Campbelltown Local Court on Friday.

Narellan McDonalds. Picture: Google

A man purported to be Al-Khafaji then jumped out of his vehicle, and begins looking for his partner inside the McDonalds, talking to employees there while brandishing a kitchen knife.

The woman in the video was seen to hide behind the counter, seemingly terrified.

Police allege Al-Khafaji then intimidated the employees while holding the knife.

Al-Khafaji was charged with driving a motor vehicle with intent to menace another person, affray, three charges of stalk/intimidate in relation to the McDonalds workers, armed with intent, negligent driving, and resisting arrest, among other charges.

The court heard of Al-Khafaji’s extensive history of mental health problems, and previous court-ordered injected medications which were taken as antipsychotics.

Al-Khafaji’s lawyer, Wayne Condon of Condon Legal, argued in court that his client should be sent to hospital for treatment and be placed back on his medication, rather than be remanded in custody.

“His behaviour is a result of him not taking his medication for a particular period of time,” Mr Condon said. “What you have seen is unpleasant. It is scary.

“You have McDonalds workers who go to work, not expecting a car to come ramming through.

“You don’t expect a person to wield a knife and come through.”

Mr Condon told the court the offences were a result of Al-Khafaji not taking his antipsychotic medication.

“As a result his mind got to a stage where the mobile telephone was telling him to ring his girlfriend because she was cheating on him,” Mr Condon said.

“His mobile telephone was telling him all this.”

The police prosecutor argued the safety of the community would not be served with Al-Khafaji being granted bail.

“If he’s allegedly prepared to plough his car into a building, that risk must be neutralised,” the prosecutor said.

“Unless some sort of medication allows you to do that immediately, the only way the community can sleep soundly is if the accused is separated from the community.”

Magistrate Susan McGowan denied bail, ruling the safety of the community could not be assured with Al-Khafaji in a hospital rather than in custody.

“It’s a serious offence, a custodial sentence is on the cards,” Magistrate McGowan said.

“Quite frankly, it’s horrifying.”

Al-Khafaji spoke up upon hearing that he would remain in custody, pleading to be placed in a hospital setting.

“I can’t get professional help in custody,” Al-Khafaji said. “There is no help in custody. You have to understand that please.”

The case was adjourned to June 8, with Al-Khajafi ordered to undergo psychiatric assessment while in custody.