Controversial mayor slammed ‘bizarre’ claims of domestic abuse while representing himself

Controversial mayor Salim Mehajer allegedly punched his girlfriend in the head ten times during a heated argument, a court heard.

Controversial former politician Salim Mehajer has hit out at a “pattern of lies” in the “bizarre allegations” of domestic abuse levelled at him by his former partner.

He appeared in the NSW District Court on Wednesday wearing a crisp navy suit and a patterned blue tie with his hair slicked back into a high bun with shaved sides.

The 36-year-old has pleaded not guilty to seven domestic violence charges, including four counts of common assault, intentionally choking a person without consent, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

He is charged with threatening to kill his girlfriend and put a bullet in the head of her mother, as well as multiple physical acts of violence.

Salim Mehajer has addressed the jury during his trial over allegations of domestic violence. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Joel Carrett

The former Auburn deputy mayor allegedly punched his girlfriend in the head ten times during a heated argument in his car, the jury was told on Tuesday.

The 36-year-old allegedly threatened to kill his girlfriend and put a bullet in her mother’s head during “bouts or episodes of anger”.

The jury was told “the most serious of the offences” occurred when Mr Mehajer allegedly suffocated his girlfriend until she passed out in their bathroom.

In one instance, the former Auburn deputy mayor allegedly suffocated his girlfriend until she passed out in their bathroom.

During his opening address, he asked the four women and eight men in the jury to be patient with him as he represents throughout the three-week trial.

“This is not a choice that I have made,” he explained.

“I will do my very best to plead my case to you and as clear (sic) as possible.”

Mr Mehajer said the evidence would show that the three-year relationship “was not fuelled by any drugs or any alcohol”.

“That does not mean the relationship was perfect,” he told the jury.

“Like most relationships, it had its ups and downs but I want to stress to you that there were never any acts of violence.”

He allegedly threatened to kill his ex-girlfriend and her mother. Picture: Instagram

The 36-year-old explained he would not be trying to paint his former girlfriend as a “horrible person” but instead would question her motivation for making the allegations against him.

He told the court she had gone to police in December 2020 after the pair were charged with fraud (charges that have since been dropped).

“What is suggested is that the complainant has taken a dramatic turn in a desperate attempt … to have the fraud charges against her dropped,” he said.

Mr Mehajer said the evidence would show his ex-girlfriend “started to calculate an attack” against him.

“When the complainant began to lie, it caught like a wildfire,” he told the jury.

“The lie just grew larger and larger.”

In the course of their opening addresses, Mr Mehajer and crown prosecutor Ken Gilson both told the jury that a number of the allegations were “word on word” so they would be asked to assess the credibility of the alleged victim.

The 36-year-old is representing himself during the trial. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Bianca De Marchi

The former local politician claimed the allegations of domestic violence contained a “pattern of lies” and could not be proven beyond reasonable doubt.

“These bizarre allegations are just not true,” he said.

The former politician told the jury his former wife will give evidence that there were “no signs whatsoever of any assaults or acts of violence” during their ten years of marriage.

“(She) would be a key witness to identify if there have been any past relationship violence or flaws,” he said.

He told the court he will also call upon the alleged victim’s sister and father to give evidence before the court.

The colourful former deputy mayor acknowledged he had been a subject of “notoriety” and jurors may have heard of him or read about him in the media.

“What those online trolls say about me is not true or correct,” he said.

“The trolls don’t know the facts, they’ve never seen the evidence.”

Mr Mehajer admitted he was a public figure during his address. Picture: Instagram

He asked the jury to remain impartial. Picture: Instagram

Mr Mehajer asked the jurors to make a decision based only on the facts and evidence presented to them during the trial.

“Ultimately you are twelve judges,” he said.

“I ask that you make up your own mind and you don’t listen to the outside noise.”

The jury will hear from the alleged victim on Wednesday while the court is closed to the public.

She will be questioned by an intermediary acting for Mr Mehajer.

The trial continues before Judge James Bennett.

Originally published as Controversial mayor slammed ‘bizarre’ claims of domestic abuse while representing himself