Bondi man in court for alleged knife threat on taxi driver
Police were called to Bondi on Friday evening following reports a man had threatened a taxi driver with a knife. A man appeared in court on Tuesday.
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A man who allegedly threatened a taxi driver with a knife while catching a ride to Bondi has been moved to a mental health facility following a court decision.
Naer Twfiek, 33, from Bondi, caught a taxi in Randwick about 8pm on Friday.
The driver was directed to go to Bondi Beach before the passenger attempted to redirect him to Cabramatta.
Following an argument, the taxi continued to Bondi, police said.
During the journey, police allege the passenger yelled at a number of pedestrians and the driver stopped on Bondi Rd.
Police allege the man lifted his shirt to display a handle before threatening the driver.
Believing it was a knife, the driver got out and sought help, police said.
The passenger also got out and fled.
Following an investigation, Mr Twfiek was arrested at a Bondi home on Saturday night and charged with armed with intent to commit indictable offence, common assault, and destroy or damage property.
The last charge related to Mr Twfiek allegedly damaging property at Waverley Police Station.
He was refused bail on Sunday at Parramatta Local Court.
However, Magistrate Robert Williams ordered on Tuesday that he be moved to a mental health facility at Prince of Wales Hospital, following an application which took into account his mental illness.
“I note the seriousness of this offence however it would appear that treatment of Mr Twfiek, I consider, would be of some priority,” Mr Williams said.
He will undergo a mental health assessment at the hospital.
His next court date will depend on the mental health assessment.