‘Bra Boy’ Jai Abberton granted bail for armed robbery charges

NOTORIOUS Bra Boy Jai Abberton has been granted bail six months after he was charged over a violent home invasion robbery due to “scant” evidence filed by the prosecution.

Jai Abberton in 2013 when he appeared Central Local Court charged with assaulting police.

NOTORIOUS Bra Boy Jai Abberton has been granted bail six months after he was charged and jailed over a violent home invasion robbery due to “scant” evidence filed by the prosecution.

Mr Abberton, 45, was charged on February 14 with robbery while armed with offensive weapon cause wounding or grievous bodily harm, specially aggravated enter dwelling with intent to wound, and resist or hinder police officer in execution of duty.

SPECIAL REPORT

LONG BAY’S MOST NOTORIOUS PRISONERS

Police allege Mr Abberton attacked Mr Paul Winters at his South Coogee home while in the company of two men wearing balaclavas allegedly armed with a metal pole and meat cleaver.

The threesome allegedly forced their way into Mr Winters’ home on December 12 last year, stealing the man’s wallet, 16 grams of cannabis and a sheet of valium tablets.

Bra Boys movie premiere at The State Theatre in 2007. Koby Abberton with Russell Crowe and Sunny Abberton.

Mr Abberton, founding member of the “Bra Boys” surfing gang with his brothers Koby and Sunny, appeared in Central Local Court on Tuesday via audio visual link looking drawn and pale.

Mr Abberton’s lawyer, Justin Lewis, told the court his client pleaded guilty to resisting arrest but “adamantly denies” the armed robbery.

“He maintains that he himself was a victim of the same home invasion,” Mr Lewis said.

EXPERIENCE LOST IN SYDNEY

EPISODE 1 :: The Lime Green Van

A YOUNG man climbs into his lime green Bedford van in the dead of night to drive his girlfriend home - no one has seen them since.

EPISODE II :: The Disappearance at Dawn

TIEMUZHEN Chalaer was a lover of music — this may have been what sparked his enthusiasm for an unregistered party deep in the bush — little did he know, it would cost him his life.

He also argued the “other difficulty” the prosecution will have was establishing the reliability of Mr Winters, who was taken to hospital and treated for a non-life threatening leg injury while allegedly under the influence.

“Your honour, there is a real possibility of (Mr Abberton) being acquitted,” Mr Lewis said.

“He’s already spent a significant time in custody.”

Magistrate Sharon Freund granted Mr Abberton bail, with strict conditions, on the grounds of “scant” evidence from the crown prosecution.

“Despite a lengthy criminal record … the fact is there is a weakness in the crown case,” Magistrate Freund said.

The court also heard Mr Abberton had suffered a significant drug problem in the past, was diagnosed with bi polar in 2013-2014 and by 2015 was taking regular urine tests in order to gain access to his only son.

Mr Abberton was reportedly seeing his son about three times a week before he was taken into custody.

Mr Abberton is to appear at the Sydney Downing Centre on August 24.