Salim Mehajer and Ahmed Jaghbir charged with perverting the course of justice, conspiracy to cheat and defraud

SALIM Mehajer could spend up to two years in prison before going to trial on charges of perverting the course of justice.

FORMER Auburn deputy mayor Salim Mehajer could have a long wait to fight charges of perverting the course of justice and conspiracy to cheat and defraud in relation to a car crash.

The delay in the case going to trial was revealed at a bail hearing on Wednesday for Mr Mehajer’s co-accused in the alleged car crash conspiracy, and director of the Mehajer wedding business, Ahmed Jaghbir.

The hearing also heard that among Mr Mehajer’s other co-accused one of them had already rolled over to give evidence for the prosecution.

Mr Jaghbir appeared in Bankstown Court on Wednesday via video link from Surry Hills police cells where he has been since his arrest on Tuesday morning along with Mr Mehajer.

Both men are charged with perverting the course of justice and conspiracy to cheat and defraud over incidents which allegedly happened in relation to a car accident when Mr Mehajer was due in court last October.

Salim Mehajer was arrested yesterday. Picture: NSW Police

Salim Mehajer after the accident in October. Picture: Rob Quee

Mr Jaghbir was already on bail charged with the alleged March 2017 murder of Hells Angels bikie Kemel Barakat.

Police charged Mr Jaghbir with the murder, but his lawyer argued that the prosecution case was weak and he was released on strict bail conditions.

Wednesday’s bail hearing on the car crash-related conspiracy and fraud charges heard that evidence would include a conversation between Mr Jaghbir and Mr Mehajer recorded at 8.55pm on October 16.

Police prosecutors alleged a strong case against Mr Jaghbir would likely result in a conviction and 14-year sentence for him.

However, Mr Jaghbir’s lawyer David Price said his client would not get to trial for two years and that 40 per cent of people charged with perverting the course of justice did not serve full time prison sentences.

Ahmed Jaghbir. Picture: Instagram

He described the presence of high profile Mr Mehajer as a co-accused as “background noise”.

Mr Price said that among the other men co-accused in the case, one would be giving evidence for the prosecution.

“There appears to be a rollover witness,” he said.

Mr Jaghbir’s parents have put up their Sydney house as a surety and would risk losing it if he broke his bail conditions, Mr Price said.

Magistrate Crittenden granted Mr Jaghbir bail on strict conditions which in cluded having no contact with Mr Mehajer or the other men charged in the matter.

The 28-year-old and his wife who is three months pregnant will live with Mr Jaghbir’s parents in their house which represents an $800,000 surety for his bail on the comspiracy charge and a murder charge.

Mr Jaghbir was remanded to Burwood Local Court on March 28.

Meanwhile, Mr Mehajer, the former Auburn deputy mayor, will remain in custody at Silverwater remand centre after his application for bail was refused at Waverley Local Court this morning.

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