Brett Henson: Former Mirvac executive from Sydney’s eastern suburbs found guilty of stealing taxi in Sydney’s CBD

A former high-flying Sydney real estate executive has been found guilty of stealing a taxi from Sydney’s CBD and driving drunk through the city.

A former high-flying real estate executive has been found guilty of stealing a taxi from Sydney’s CBD and driving drunk towards the eastern suburbs.

Brett Henson, 44, appeared at Downing Centre Local Court on Monday after he had a dispute with a taxi driver, Sayeed Ali Khan, over a broken door handle about 9pm on November 4, 2022.

He previously told a court he stole the taxi as it was his “only option to escape” and he feared for his life and was “petrified” after two other men allegedly claimed they were police and from the Muslim Brotherhood.

The court previously heard Henson said the men were saying “let’s f**king get him”.

Henson was arrested six days after the incident and charged, having previously entered not guilty pleas.

Magistrate Gregory Moore found the former senior capital transactions manager for leading property developers Mirvac, guilty of stealing a car and driving under the influence of alcohol.

Henson was found not guilty of driving recklessly in a dangerous manner, after it was alleged he had a minor collision shortly after he took off.

Mr Moore wasn’t satisfied there was sufficient evidence of Henson driving recklessly.

CCTV footage shows Mirvac executive Brett Henson falling over on to his back after having an altercation with a Sydney taxi driver. Picture: NCA NewsWire handout

In handing down his decision on Monday, Mr Moore said he did not accept Henson was “forced to drive” the taxi because of the threats made against him.

Mr Moore said if the men wanted to “inflict serious injury” on Henson, “they had ample opportunity” to do so and he even had time to “adjust his clothing” before getting into the taxi.

He said he was satisfied the men were “trying to assist Mr Khan”.

The court heard Henson could have called out to “passers-by” or called triple-0, but instead he got into the taxi, locked the door and drove off, where he later parked in Woollahra and walked a kilometre to his friend’s home before catching a taxi to his Bronte home.

Mr Moore said the former Mirvac executive admitted to driving through multiple red lights during the journey.

He referenced CCTV footage of Henson holding the door handle and falling onto his back before leaving the scene with Mr Khan following behind.

Footage earlier showed Henson stumbling around before reaching the taxi.

Mr Moore said he did not accept Mr Khan was “attempting to extort” Henson for the damaged door handle after offering to put it on the bill with the taxi driver requesting his ID.

“I do not accept … [Henson] simply slipped when he opened the door,” Mr Moore said.

During sentencing submissions, Henson’s lawyer Paul McGirr said it was a “very unique situation” and accepted his client would be convicted.

He appealed for a conditional release order, while asking for Henson’s driving suspension to be backdated to the date of the offence.

Outside court, Mr McGirr said his client wanted to put the matter behind him as Mr Moore is due to hand down his sentence next Monday.