Abdullah Hijazi: Bank manager convicted for wedding burnout near Bexley childcare

The wedding guest was one of many drivers to show off and put more than 50 spectators at risk when he did a dangerous burnout near a childcare centre.

A Westpac bank manager has been suspended from driving for three months after he did a dangerous burnout during wedding celebrations outside a childcare centre.

Abdullah Hijazi, 26, pleaded guilty to a charge of sustained loss of traction and was sentenced in Sutherland Local Court on Wednesday.

The court heard the Bexley man lives with his family and is employed as a bank manager at Westpac.

Agreed facts tendered to police said Hijazi attended a wedding on July 24 this year about 1pm where there were multiple people and cars parked near Preddy’s Road and Downey Street in Bexley.

The large number of spectators, numbering more than 50, were directly outside the Turtle Tot Childcare building.

Bexley’s Abdullah Hijazi, 26, pleaded guilty to a charge of sustained loss of traction and was sentenced in Sutherland Local Court on Wednesday. Picture: Ashleigh Tullis

A number of drummers made their way onto the roadway and several professional photographers were present.

Multiple drivers did a series of burnouts in the vicinity of the childcare centre and caused white tyre smoke and left black marks on the road, the documents said.

At about 1.26pm a black BMW M3 driven by Hijazi was travelling in the northbound lane of Preddy’s Road and stopped near the pedestrian island.

He applied the brakes, revved the engine harshly and deliberately caused both rear wheels to lose traction and spin, the documents said.

Hijazi caused a thick white plume of smoke and a loud screeching noise.

He lost traction for at least 10 seconds and travelled onto the opposite side of the road for 80 metres.

About a week later police attended Hijazi’s home where he admitted he was the driver.

“There were so many people it was stupid, I just was hyped up by the crowd, like peer pressure I guess,” he told officers.

Hijazi’s licence was suspended and he was issued with a notice to attend court.

In court on Wednesday, Hijazi’s lawyer requested a non-conviction for his client noting it would affect his career.

He said his client co-operated with police and had genuine remorse.

Magistrate Philip Stewart noted the burnout was a “serious form” given Hijazi crossed onto the other side of the road.

He said the “tomfoolery” warranted a conviction.

Magistrate Stewart said general deterrence was required to discourage others from doing burnouts.

He took into account Hijazi’s lack of a serious driving record, that he had completed the traffic offenders program and accepted he was remorseful.

Hijazi was convicted, fined $600 and suspended from driving for three months, backdated to the offence.