Abil Malovski: Man accused of shooting Melbourne roadside florist to stand trial
A florist has told a court what happened in the moments before he was shot multiple times by the ex-husband of his new lover.
A Melbourne florist has told a court what happened in the moments before he was shot multiple times by the ex-husband of his new lover.
Steven Grant, 38, was busy selling flowers at a roadside stall in Melton in Melbourne’s northwest the day before Mother’s Day when his friend approached him in a panic.
“She told me her ex-husband had just driven past,” he told the court.
“I wasn’t too worried but I could see she was scared, I told her, ‘If he comes back, I’ll ask him what the problem is and ask him to leave’.”
About 10 minutes later the car returned, with Abil Malovski, 38, stepping out and shooting Mr Grant twice in the back next to the busy road shortly before 3pm.
“He started shooting me straight away,” Mr Grant said.
“My memory’s not the best, it was a pretty traumatic moment.”
Mr Grant was called to give evidence in the committal hearing for Mr Malovski, who was charged with attempted murder, reckless conduct endangering life and using a firearm in a public place over the alleged incident.
Mr Malovski appeared in the Melbourne Magistrate Court on Monday, pleading guilty to reckless conduct endangering life by shooting multiple times in a public place.
He pleaded not guilty to the remaining charges.
The shooting sparked a two-day search in the Melton area before Mr Malovski handed himself in on May 9.
Under questioning from Mr Malovski’s lawyer, Chris Pearson, Mr Grant said he had never met the accused man before that day but had allegedly received threatening phone calls.
“He rang me and told me he wants to kill me,” he said.
“There might have been three or four, I can’t remember exactly. They’re with the police. I reported them.”
Sergeant Michael Haysom told the court that Mr Grant continued to suffer health impacts from the incident, including paralysis of the back and reliance on pain medication.
“He still relies on crutches to walk,” he said.
Mr Grant faced questions about his behaviour before he was shot, with Mr Pearson asking if he yelled abuse at Mr Malovski or “ran at him”.
Mr Grant denied he showed any hostility.
The matter was committed for trial in the Supreme Court and Mr Malovski was remanded into custody ahead of his next appearance on December 22.