Ibrahim Cheik-Hussein: Barber on police assault charges

UPDATE: A popular barber who fronted court with a bloodied face and fractured eye socket has said he will fight the charges laid against him.

Ibrahim Cheik- Hussein is granted bail from the Maroubra cells.

UPDATE

A well-known barber who allegedly threw punches at police and trashed an ambulance as they tried to help him after he was injured in a brawl will fight his charges in court.

Ibrahim Cheik-Hussein appeared in Waverley Local Court on Wednesday charged with four counts of assault police in the execution of their duty, one of resist police and one of malicious damage.

Mr Cheik-Hussein came before Magistrate Ross Hudson sharply dressed and impeccably groomed in stark contrast to his first appearance in court where he was beamed in via video link bloodied and shirtless after a night in the Maroubra police station cells.

A representative from the Commissioner of Police, NSW Police Force appeared in court as the defence had issued a subpoena.

Mr Cheik-Hussein outside court on Wednesday

However Cheik-Hussein’s lawyer no longer pressed the subpoena as she said the majority of the material she was seeking had been served in the brief of evidence.

“Two police statements that are really important haven’t been served yet,” his lawyer noted.

The Bardwell Valley man pleaded not guilty to all charges and the case will go to a hearing on September 13.

EARLIER

By Emily Macdonald on November 18, 2020

A man who was injured in a brawl and then allegedly threw punches and spat at police has been granted bail.

Bardwell Valley barber Ibrahim Cheik-Hussein was released from the Maroubra cells shirtless, still bloodied and wearing only socks on his feet.

Police will allege they were called to Yarra Bay Beach on Monday afternoon following reports of a fight and discovered Cheik-Hussein in nearby Bicentennial Parkland sporting a black eye.

A police prosecutor told Waverley Local Court on Tuesday that Eastern Beaches cops allegedly tried to stop the man and find out what had happened at around 4pm.

Ibrahim Cheik- Hussein (right) leaves Maroubra Police Station.

Police will allege Cheik-Hussein grabbed an officer on the arm and tried to throw a punch at him before he was handcuffed and put in the ambulance.

Officers further allege as they were loading him in, he spat at two officers and kicked at the roof of the ambulance, smashing the interior light.

“This is a situation where police are just doing their job and responding to a fight at the beach,” the prosecutor told Magistrate Jacqueline Trad.

“He has proceeded to injure police officers in the execution of their duty.

“Due to the seriousness of the assault and the duration it occurred for, Your Honour would have grave concerns whether he could be released into the community.”

The accused is charged with four counts of assault police in the execution of their duty, one of resist police and one of malicious damage.

The initial scuffle allegedly occurred near Yarra Bay Beach. Photo: Erin Byrne

Cheik-Hussein, who appeared in court via videolink from the cells at Maroubra Police station still covered in dried blood, was represented by legal aid.

His lawyer told the court medical staff at Prince of Wales Hospital told Cheik-Hussein he had a fractured eye socket and required further treatment.

“My friend characterised the incident in a most favourable way for the police,” the lawyer said.

“Elements of the offence will need to be proven if it proceeds in a certain manner.”

Magistrate Trad said there was a “relatively strong prosecution case”.

Ibrahim Cheik- Hussein’s lawyer said he had a fractured eye socket.

“There are not only presumably police witnesses but ambulance officers and body worn footage,” Magistrate Trad said.

However given factors including that Cheik-Hussein has not appeared before a court in a number of years, Magistrate Trad determined the risk to the community could be mitigated with bail conditions.

Cheik-Hussein must reside at his home in Bardwell Valley, not drink alcohol or take drugs unless prescribed by a doctor and stay away from the Eastern Beaches Police Area Command except for when attending court.

He will next appear on December 1.