Bernd Lehmann alleged murder: Naji Fakhreddine charged

A bikie boss’s elderly father who is charged with murdering his secret gay lover allegedly tried to decapitate him while he was still alive, a court heard.

A bikie boss’s elderly father could spend the rest of his life in jail as police allege he killed and almost decapitated his gay lover following an intimate encounter more than a decade ago.

Naji Fakhreddine, 65, was charged with murder after police allege he killed German national Bernd Lehmann at his Ashfield unit shortly after Mr Lehmann performed oral sex on him on February 14 2008.

Police will allege Fakhreddine and Mr Lehmann had become friends and casual lovers after meeting some weeks prior while gambling and drinking at the Wests Ashfield club.

A Crown prosecutor told Magistrate Clare Farnan at Central Local Court during a renewed bail application for Fakhreddine that his DNA was allegedly found on the murder weapon and inside Mr Lehmann’ mouth.

“The forensic case is overwhelming, particularly the finger and palm prints located on the murder weapon,” the Crown told the court.

“That they were located in blood refutes any suggestion that they could have been innocently reposited there on an earlier date.”

Bernd Lehmann.

The Crown will further allege Fakhreddine tried to decapitate Mr Lehmann while he was still alive after bludgeoning the defenceless man from behind.

“There was a sizeable incision at the rear of the deceased’s neck and that likely occurred while he was still alive,” the Crown told the court.

“On the basis of the forensic evidence the case is extremely strong and upon conviction, realistically the accused would be spending the rest of his natural life in jail.”

Fakhreddine loudly interjected from the audiovisual proceedings at the suggestion he was facing life in jail if convicted.

“I don’t believe you,” he shouted before he was cautioned by Ms Farnan.

Naji Fahkhreddine on the day of his arrest.

Police will allege they have had Naji Fakhreddine’s fingerprints in blood on the statuette allegedly used to murder Mr Lehmann since the crime scene was investigated in February 2008.

However, police were unable to connect the crime to anyone until Naji Fakhreddine’s son, Lone Wolf bikie boss Hassan Fakhreddine, had his DNA collected while serving prison time for importing MDMA worth almost $400 million.

The younger Fakhreddine’s DNA was recorded as part of a NSW Police program where inmates’ DNA is collected to create a database through which future crimes and cold cases might be solved.

Police allege they subsequently found a biological link from Hassan Fakhreddine to DNA found at the 2008 scene of Mr Lehmann’s death, which then led them to Naji Fakhreddine.

Bernd Lehmann.

In the application for Naji Fakhreddine at Central Local Court, barrister Stephen Stanton offered a $2 million surety from one of his other children.

“It’s a significant matter that a child is prepared to offer a $2 million surety in the hope of his father staying in Australia to meet these allegations, rather than fleeing,” Mr Stanton told the court.

“The case is not overwhelming, it’s built on circumstantial and on forensic material but there is much about this material which will form part of an intricate and involved trial before a Supreme Court jury or a judge sitting alone.”

As part of Naji Fakhreddine’s defence Mr Stanton also told the court one of Mr Lehmann’s former associates made a statement to police weeks after his death alleging Mr Lehmann had once sexually assaulted him.

No charges were ever brought and the man who made the statement alleging the sexual assault is now dead.

Fakhreddine in the police wagon on the day of his arrest.

Ms Farnan was not satisfied the risks of granting Fakhreddine bail could be mitigated and she refused his application.

Fakhreddine’s matter will return to Central Local Court for charge certification on June 24.