Abbas Hayder Al-Khafaji: Man sentenced for ramming car into Narellan McDonald’s

A man who ploughed his car into a southwest Sydney McDonald’s in an attempt to run a woman over, later said it could have been much worse in a letter.

A man had “delusional beliefs” about a woman when he rammed his car into a southwest Sydney McDonald’s in an attempt to run her over, later saying it could have been much worse in a letter.

He then wielded a knife, instilling fear in the woman as he threatened to kill her.

Abbas Hayder Al-Khafaji, 28, was jailed for five-and-a-half years after previously pleading guilty to three counts of using an offensive weapon intending to commit an indictable offence, destroying or damaging property, contravening an AVO and resisting police.

At NSW District Court on Friday, Judge Tanya Smith said the woman, who was known to Al-Khafaji, was at her family home on the night of the offending watching Netflix as Al-Khafaji continued to call her.

The woman eventually agreed to meet up with him at Narellan McDonald’s and she said he looked “unrecognisable” and like he could kill someone.

The confronting video of the terrifying incident showed Al-Khafaji’s SUV hurtling towards the entrance where it ran over two bollards, shattered glass and sent tables flying before he leapt out of the car, pausing only to grab a knife.

Court documents reveal the woman ran inside the door moments before and told the manager on duty: “You need to lock the doors. He’s gonna kill me. Ring the police”.

Abbas Hayder Al-Khafaji.

Abbas Hayder Al-Khafaji confronted the woman who tried to hide.

The victim, whose identity is protected by a court order, hid inside the store in terror alongside two employees.

Al-Khafaji confronted the victim while she defended herself with a broom and told her “I’m going to kill you,” as she begged him not to hurt her.

The store manager bravely tried to de-escalate the situation before Al-Khafaji turned the knife and threatened him.

He then left and was later arrested after resisting police.

During his time in custody, Al-Khafaji was charged with breaching an AVO after he contacted the victim through his mother who made a three-way phone call. Al-Khafaji’s mother was not accused of any wrongdoing.

According to court documents, the victim said: “You shouldn’t be talking to me. You tried to kill me”. Al-Khafaji replied: “Weren’t you happy I did that cause it shows you I’m serious about you”.

Judge Smith went on to highlight the woman’s victim impact statement which described her feeling “introverted, numb and closed off” since the offence and had subsequently been diagnosed with PTSD, anxiety and depression.

The car which ploughed through the Narellan McDonald’s.

“The victim has endured what no woman should ever have to,” Judge Smith said.

She told the court Al-Khafaji driving his car towards the woman was “clearly a serious example of an offence of this type” while also acknowledging the seriousness of the remaining charges.

Judge Smith wasn’t satisfied Al-Khafaji’s schizophrenia lessened the seriousness of his offending, despite it having “some reduction” to his moral culpability.

She found Al-Khafaji hadn’t been taking his antipsychotic medication for “quite a lengthy period” before the offending and had returned to cannabis use where he ultimately developed psychotic symptoms.

“What was driving the offender’s behaviour … [was the] anger he felt based on the delusional beliefs he held,” Judge Smith said.

She said Al-Khafaji was well aware his drug use would bring on psychosis and it exacerbated his mental illness, however, found he was acting with a clear purpose.

Judge Smith wasn’t satisfied he showed genuine remorse and said the court was guarded with his prospects of rehabilitation.

The court heard there must be strong denunciation for such offences with Al-Khafaji ultimately sentenced to five-and-a-half years jail with a three-year and eight months non-parole period.