Merrylands West: Alleged street racers Jim Malamas, Mohammed Saleh court update

There’s been a development in the case of two alleged street racers who collided with a young woman on a western Sydney highway before her death. Find out what happened in court.

Two men who allegedly raced on the Cumberland Highway at Merrylands West before colliding into Claire Georgey, who later died in hospital, may not go to trial.

Mohammad Abdulmunim Saleh and Jim Spiros Malamas are defending allegations of street racing on September 7, 2020, a week before Miss Georgey, 22, died at Westmead Hospital.

Mr Saleh was allegedly street racing with Mr Malamas before his Nissan Skyline sports car collided with Miss Georgey’s southbound Subaru Forester wagon at the intersection of the highway and Bruce St at 10.30pm.

The gregarious 22-year-old’s vehicle burst into flames and she died after clinging to life in hospital for a week.

On Friday, Parramatta District Court heard how the Crown was waiting on an expert report from Dr Andrew McIntosh that would assess two issues in relation to the speed at which Mr Saleh was travelling — on impact and 300m before the point of impact.

Crown Craig Evans told the court Mr Malamas, 45, “was in a different position” and that he was allegedly involved in speeding with Mr Saleh at different times, with “two speeds and different methodology”.

It is possible the matter could be resolved when it returns to court on August 26 and therefore not proceed to trial, set for September 26.

Jim Malamas. Picture: Facebook

An expert will deliver a report on Mohammad Abdulmunim Saleh’s alleged speed.

The court heard how the matter would rely on CCTV footage and experts if the matter went to trial, for which a dozen witnesses are involved, the chief being the crime scene officer and officer in charge.

Guildford’s Mr Saleh was charged with seven offences and pleaded not guilty to aggravated dangerous driving occasioning death - speed; aggravated dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm 45 km/h over limit; dangerous driving occasioning death-drive speed dangerous and dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm – drive speed dangerous.

The 34 year old has not entered pleas for organise, promote race between vehicles; negligent driving occasioning death and negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm.

Claire Georgey. Picture: Instagram

Mr Malamas, of Greystanes, pleaded not guilty to eight offences — including aid and/or abet an offence – aggravated dangerous driving occasioning death (speed greater than 45km/h); aid and/or abet an offence – aggravated dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm (more than 5 km/h over limit) and organise, promote street racing.

Both men are on bail.

The matter will be heard just two years shy of Miss Georgey’s death, which triggered an outpouring of grief from those mourning the “beautiful ray of light’’.

“Gone too soon precious Angel Claire,’’ one friend posted on Facebook.

“Love you forever Claire such a bright, beaming light.’’

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