Salim Mehajer thought wife was in car he ‘blocked’ on the road in early morning incident, police allege

SALIM Mehajer allegedly blocked a car on a Sydney street after an early morning incident — police have a theory on why he did it.

SALIM Mehajer thought his then estranged wife Aysha Learmonth was in a black Toyota that he parked his own car in front of and blocked on a street in Sydney’s south, police have alleged in court.

Mehajer, 31, is defending charges of breaching an apprehended violence order (AVO), intimidation and dangerous driving. The charges relate to an incident on November 20 last year when Mehajer was allegedly seen in his white Audi in a lane near Ms Learmonth’s Kingsgrove home.

Ms Learmonth, 31, gave evidence yesterday of feeling scared of Mehajer and was allowed to appear in court via video link so she would not have to be in the same room as him.

The couple married during a lavish 2015 ceremony involving helicopters, luxury cars and a massive red carpet outside their home. They separated in 2016 and were officially divorced earlier this month.

Police prosecutor Amin Assaad told Burwood Local Court today the case against Mehajer was a combination of “direct evidence” and evidence that was “circumstantial in nature”.

Salim Mehajer and then wife Aysha Learmonth.

“We say in no uncertain terms the accused knew where the victim was... He was there to harass, intimidate and cause apprehension to the alleged victim through his presence.”

Mr Assaad said the prosecution “does not accept” Mehajer’s presence was “accidental”.

In relation to the minor car crash that happened near Ms Learmonth’s home he said it was the police position “the accused was of the view the alleged victim was a passenger in the motor vehicle”.

The court heard he “diverged” to one side of the road, did a U-turn and then “parked his vehicle across the roadway blocking the path of the vehicle”.

His action caused a “minor collision”, Mr Assaad said.

Mehajer’s barrister Geoff Foster told Magistrate Mark Richardson the allegations had “absolutely no foundation”.

Mr Foster said there was no evidence Mehajer contacted Ms Learmonth. “It is the defence case Mr Mehajer certainly didn’t breach any of the orders”.

The hearing continues.

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