Abbas Jr ‘AJ’ Maghnie: Son of slain underworld identity Nabil Maghnie faces court over unlicensed driving charge

The son of a slain gangland figure facing driving charges dialled into a Melbourne court as he was “a bit worried” about fronting in person having survived a deadly daylight hit.

Maghnie appeared via videolink at Heidelberg Magistrates Court

The son of slain underworld identity Nabil Maghnie has refused to face court in person over driving offences as he was “a bit worried” having been shot himself during the daylight execution of infamous gangland figure Gavin ‘Capable’ Preston.

Abbas Jr ‘AJ’ Maghnie appeared at Heidelberg Magistrate Court via videolink and said he was “a bit worried” to show his face in-person.

“I just got shot, your honour,” Maghnie said, referring to an incident which occurred approximately nine months ago.

‘AJ’ Maghnie is the son of the slain underworld figure Nabil Maghnie (pictured). Picture: David Crosling.

Last October, Maghnie was caught up in the brazen execution of Gavin ‘Capable’ Preston.

Maghnie and Preston were dining together at the Sweet Lulu Cafe at Keilor when they were ambushed.

Preston died at the scene and Maghnie, who had scrambled away from the shooters, was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.

CCTV depicting cafe patrons scrambling for cover as a gunman dressed in black runs up and fires at Melbourne crime heavyweight Gavin “Capable” Preston.

It was previously reported this was the second time Maghnie had survived being shot.

In 2020, he was reportedly wounded when his father Nabil was shot dead at Epping.

Representing himself at court, Maghnie pleaded guilty to driving while unlicensed in June of last year.

CCTV footage shows Abbas Jr Maghnie after fleeing from gun shots that killed Gavin Preston at a Keilor Cafe. Picture: Supplied.

He told the court he had “just got back on (his) feet” after the shooting and was once again managing his late father’s transport business.

Maghne said he underwent eight or nine surgeries after he survived the shooting and, for a period, needed to return to hospital daily.

He also told the court his wife found out she was pregnant on the day he almost lost his life.

Nabil Maghnie outside a Melbourne police station. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Maghnie was convicted of driving while unlicensed and fined $500.

Hif father Nabil was once considered to be one of the most dangerous figures in Melbourne’s underworld.

Nabil was a suspected associate of the Comanchero motorcycle gang who had also been the target of the Victoria Police Echo Taskforce.

It was previously reported Nabil had a long list of enemies, among them members of various outlaw motorcycle gangs, powerful Middle-Eastern crime figures and victims of his trigger-happy nature.