Greens councillor Anab Mohamud accused of hurling gay slurs in South Yarra club fight

A Greens councillor accused of bashing a trans woman outside Chaser’s nightclub allegedly hurled gay slurs after grabbing her victim by the throat.

Yarra City councillor Anab Mohamud is accused of bashing a trans woman.

An inner-city Greens councillor accused of bashing a trans woman outside a nightclub and yelling offensive slurs was likely not “on her best behaviour” because she had just been assaulted herself, a court has heard.

Anab Mohamud allegedly grabbed her victim by the throat after the pair began arguing in the smoker’s area of Chaser’s nightclub near Chapel St on April 11 last year.

Ms Mohamud was then allegedly followed and assaulted by the woman as the parties spilt onto Bray St, with the Yarra councillor later taken to hospital suffering facial and eye injuries, a court heard.

Ms Mohamud is also charged with drunk and disorderly behaviour and offensive behaviour directed at the woman outside the South Yarra club which hosts the popular LGBTQ club night, Poof Doof.

Ms Mohamud allegedly yelled “f--- the LG family” and “I swear to Allah if I lose my eye I will make sure all these f----ts die”.

The pair began arguing in the smoker’s area of Chaser’s nightclub near Chapel St.

In a contest mention in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, Magistrate Rosemary Falla cast doubt over whether the offensive language charge could be made out.

“I don’t know what the offensive words are that were uttered, but you’re not going to be the most pleasant person in the world at the time you’re being assaulted,” Ms Falla said.

“The words may be offensive in a public place, but it’s also in the context of being assaulted to the point that necessitated being treated in hospital,” she said.

“It’s a matter for Victoria Police, I don’t know how that’s going to be made out,” Ms Falla said.

The alleged victim, St Kilda woman Al Shaba Bin Taha, was charged with affray and recklessly cause injury for the alleged assault on Ms Mohamud and is due to face court in October.

Ms Mohamud will contest the charges at a three day hearing in front of a magistrate who will determine whether prosecutors have proven the allegations.

A police prosecutor on Tuesday said Ms Mohamud and the alleged victim presented conflicting statements, with both parties claiming they were grabbed by the other first after their conversation in the smoker’s lounge escalated.

Defence lawyer Alana Reader, for Ms Mohamud, said the credibility of the alleged victim will be in dispute.

14 witnesses would be called to give evidence, including patrons at the nightclub and security guards.

Ms Mohamud appeared via video link and could be seen shaking her head as prosecutors detailed the case against her.

At one point during the hearing, the Australian Greens member wiped away tears with a handkerchief.

The matter will return to court for a contested hearing in October.