Court refuses Bassam Hamzy's brother Ghassan Amoun's bail bid

A magistrate has refused bail for ex-Brothers 4 Life Member - and Bassam Hamzy's brother - Ghassan Amoun, saying she had 'little comfort' he would comply with bail conditions already imposed.

The risk of releasing ex-Brothers 4 Life gang member - and Bassam Hamzy's brother - Ghassan Amoun into the community was too much for a Sydney magistrate on Friday, as authorities tighten their grip on warring crime families.

Ghassan Amoun’s wife wailed on her knees in Burwood Local Court as Magistrate Susan Horan refused to release him from custody.

Police allege the 44-year-old builder breached a Serious Crime Prevention Order put on members of the Hamzy and Allamedine families to stop a cycle of Western Sydney retaliation shootings.

Amoun pleaded not guilty earlier this week to breaching two of the orders, on February 19 and 24, which were issued by the Supreme Court in December last year.

Amoun  is bound by 72 restrictions, which require him to report details to police including his mobile phones, car registrations and any change of address. Police allege Amoun contravened his order by putting Queensland number plates on his white Audi A4 without notifying police in advance, and he was found with three undeclared phones and a laptop in his car.

On December 18, 2002 the Supreme Court issued Ghassan Amoun with a Serious Crime Prevention Order.

Ghassan Amoun is spoken to by police last year.

Magistrate Horan said the court had “little comfort” Amoun would abide by bail conditions.

“It is common ground that there is a long-standing tension between the Hamzy and Allamedine families,” she said. “There has been a spate of violent attacks and retaliation ... there is an unacceptable risk, and community safety is of paramount importance. This court has little comfort that the defendant will comply with bail conditions imposed around two months ago.”

Amoun’s legal team told a court earlier this week he did not own the phones found in the car, the laptop was owned by his wife, and he had notified police about the Queensland plates. Amoun is due back in court on April 8. 

The court heard on Thursday Amoun was a “drug mule” in Brother’s 4 Life and had been involved in drive-by shootings with Bassam, but he had been out of trouble for the past six years - and even changed his last name to disassociate from the family.

A spate of recent shootings in January have been linked to the bloody family feud, including a shooting in Merrylands on February 19.

The court heard on Thursday a public place shooting in Hurstville on January 30, where two men were shot inside a Mercedes about 11pm, was "attributed" to the Allamedine clan, as was a townhouse shooting on January 15, which resulted in a nurse being injured by a stray bullet that went through a window at Auburn Hospital. 

On February 19, about 10pm there was a retaliation shooting at home belonging to the Allamedine family in Merrylands, the court heard.