Kerem Bulut: Former Western Sydney Wanderers star allegedly robbed man of $2100, designer items

Former A-League star Kerem Bulut, once considered one of Australia’s most promising prospects before his career fell apart, is behind bars on remand once more.

Former Western Sydney Wanderers star Kerem Bulut. Photo: Mark Evans

Former A-League star Kerem Bulut, once considered one of Australia’s most promising prospects before his career fell apart, is behind bars once more after being refused bail on a robbery charge.

The 31-year-old is accused of robbing a man of designer items and $2100 cash and appeared by video link at Downing Centre Local Court on Monday where a bail application was made.

Bulut, who once played for the Western Sydney Wanderer and several European clubs, is facing charges of aggravated robbery and depriving a person of liberty.

Court documents reveal between 11.30pm on August 31 and 3am on September 1 at South Coogee, Bulut allegedly robbed a man of $2100, a blue Louis Vuitton wallet, a blue Fendi jumper and a Bose speaker.

The documents allege Bulut “immediately before the robbery intentionally or recklessly inflicting actual bodily harm … and deprived him of his liberty”. He was arrested on September 11.

Kerem Bulut at Western Sydney Wanderers training, Blacktown International Sportspark, Rooty Hill. pic Mark Evans

The police prosecutor told the court he was opposing bail because there was an “unacceptable risk” Bulut would fail to appear, commit further offences and endanger the community.

He also said if the charges led to a conviction, it was likely the former professional athlete would receive a jail sentence.

The court heard Bulut had served a jail sentence in the community for assault in 2020, was currently serving a community correction order for common assault and had a number of breaches on his record.

Bulut’s lawyer Ryan Gregory questioned the strength of the prosecution case and pointed to an “inevitable delay” for the matter to proceed through the court, suggesting a trial would be more than a year away.

The court heard the investigation was “somewhat in its infancy” and there were questions about the reliability of the events told to police.

Mr Gregory called for the court to grant Bulut bail with conditions including reporting daily to Surry Hills police, living at Surry Hills, and a nightly curfew.

Magistrate Brett Shields accepted the early stages of the investigation, but refused bail in light of Bulut’s violent history.

The matter will return to court next month.