Woman charged over attack on Muslims previously assaulted another woman wearing a hijab

A woman accused of attacking two Muslim women at Pacific Epping shopping centre has previously assaulted another woman wearing a hijab, a court has heard.

A female accused of attacking two Muslim women at a busy Melbourne shopping centre has previously assaulted another woman wearing a hijab, a court has heard.

Suzan Gonulalan, 31, was arrested on Wednesday over the alleged assaults at Pacific Epping on February 13, which were labelled “outrageous” and “un-Australian” by Anthony Albanese.

The Pascoe Vale woman – who was on four counts of bail – fronted Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Thursday night, smiling from the dock when she learnt she would be bailed once again.

It is alleged Ms Gonulalan first attacked a 30-year-old pregnant woman from Lalor at 1.10pm last Thursday as she sat at a Pacific Epping cafe with her two daughters, aged 4 and 1.

Suzan Gonulalan was arrested on Wednesday.

Acting detective sergeant Leanne Parfett told the court Ms Gonulalan approached the woman from behind and allegedly pulled on her hijab, causing her to “feel suffocated and breathless”.

“She felt she was going to fall off her chair,” Ms Parfett said.

Ms Gonulalan then walked past the woman before allegedly shouting words to the effect of “shut up bitch, shut up”.

But only a couple of minutes later, the accused approached Ealaf Al-Esawie, 26, from Wollert, who was also wearing a hijab.

It is alleged she slapped and pushed Ms Al-Esawie, causing her to bruise her back when she hit the tiled floor.

Ms Parfett said the two Muslim women feel they have been “racially targeted” and have expressed concerns for their safety.

“The four-year-old daughter was visibly upset and unable to sleep the night this occurred,” Ms Parfett said.

She told the court it appears the accused targeted the women “based on their religious background and appearance”, adding it was not the first time she has assaulted a woman with a head covering.

The court heard Ms Gonulalan assaulted a woman wearing a hijab at a medical centre in Dallas in 2020 after they bumped into each other.

Ms Parfett said Ms Gonulalan “became abusive”, picked up a chair and attempted to strike her victim with it.

She was charged with unlawful assault and convicted over the incident.

“Racially motivated assaults have no place in our society,” acting sergeant prosecutor Keryn Bell said.

Ms Parfett alleged Ms Gonulalan would pose an “unacceptable risk” to the public if bailed.

The women were allegedly attacked at Pacific Epping. Picture: Luis Enrique Ascui

She has been charged with intentionally and recklessly causing injury, unlawful assault and aggravated assault over the incidents on February 13.

The court heard she also has outstanding matters for charges including theft of a motor vehicle, criminal damage and unlawful assault.

Ms Gonulalan’s defence lawyer Alex McLure said her client, who is unemployed and homeless, is believed to have a psychotic disorder with features consistent with schizophrenia and at times presents “child-like”.

She argued her client could be bailed to crisis accommodation on Thursday night before attending an appointment with Court Integrated Services Program (CISP) on Friday to seek mental health treatment.

Magistrate Justin Foster agreed, but noted the alleged assaults were serious with “racial overtones”.

“I think the risk (to the public) can be properly ameliorated if one is to impose conditions suggested by the defence,” he said.

He ordered her to report to police one day a week, not to attend Pacific Epping and to comply with all requirements of CISP.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Wednesday said the alleged attacks were “un-Australian”.

“I find this outrageous that people were assaulted for who they are,” the Prime Minister told ABC Melbourne.

“Attacks on the basis of people’s race or their religious belief are un-Australian.”

Premier Jacinta Allan said the potentially hate-based crime had “no place” in Victoria.

“The reports of the evil attacks on two young Muslim women are just horrific,” she said.

“It is so concerning to see the rise in hate in our society.”

Earlier this week, Ms Al-Esawie said she was on her lunch break when she was attacked.

The Wollert woman said she “had done nothing wrong” before she was slapped and pushed to the ground.

She was helped by two nurses nearby and is now terrified to leave her home.

Ms Al-Esawie said she was left “shocked, traumatised and shaken”.

“I don’t feel safe anymore. I’ve never encountered anything like that at all in my life,” she told the ABC.

Ms Gonulalan will return to court on March 20.