Tributes for Judge Peter Zahra, who was presiding over Guy Sebastian manager Titus Day’s case

Respected Judge Peter Zahra had literally ‘worked himself to death’ after presiding over some of the state’s most high-profile cases, a close friend and veteran barrister said.

Top legal professionals have joined the NSW Attorney-General in paying tribute to one of NSW’s most respected Judges Peter Zahra, who passed away on Sunday after suffering a stroke.

Attorney-General Mark Speakman said the passing of Judge Zahra meant NSW had lost not only one of its “most senior judges” but also “an outstanding leader” in his work as both a public defender and judge.

At the time of his death, Judge Zahra had been overseeing the criminal trial of pop star Guy Sebastian’s ex-manager Titus Day, who has pleaded not guilty to allegations he pocketed $900,000 owed to the Australian Idol winner.

That trial will now be postponed for a week, before a new judge will recommence the trial on May 16.

“Unfortunately, Judge Zahra passed away yesterday,” Judge James Bennett, who had stepped in to cover the trial, told the jury on Monday.

Peter Zahra was one of NSW’s most respected judges. Picture: 9News

“He’s a very good friend. Everyone here is feeling the loss as you can imagine.”

Judge Zahra had previously presided over some of the state’s highest-profile legal cases, sentencing notorious criminal Bassam Hamzy to an extra 12 years jail in 2013 and jailing Hey Dad! star Robert Hughes for a minimum six years over his sexual offences on children.

Mr Zahra was presiding over the trial of Titus Day.

Guy Sebastian last week gave evidence is his former manager’s trial.

He also sentenced disgraced former Auburn mayor Salim Mehajer to three-and-a-half years jail for lying to a court.

Another of his highly-respected former contemporaries, Greg James QC, said that in recent months Judge Zahra had “worked himself to death” while presiding over matters about Sydney hit man Abuzar Sultani’s crew.

“He literally worked himself to death, he was a man that we will all miss greatly,” Mr James said.

“He took on the hardest and most difficult cases, including the recent Sultani crew and all that sort of thing.

Attorney-General Mark Speakman said NSW had lost one of its “most senior judges” and an “outstanding leader” Picture: Tim Hunter

“He was a fair, kind and very good lawyer, he was a genuinely good man in all aspects of his character.”

Mr James said the legal fraternity was in shock following the judge’s unexpected death, which came 72 hours after he was rushed to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital on Thursday, where he was operated on after suffering a bleed on the brain.

Mr Zahra presided over many complex cases including that of Sydney hit man Abuzar Sultani.

“Other judges are distraught, various members of the profession are devastated and what’s more, he had been suffering from ill health for quite a period of time, but he literally, on the bench, insisted on working and, as he saw it, doing his duty as a judge (to) both the accused and the prosecution,” Mr James said.

Mr Speakman said Judge Zahra was not only a leading legal mind and author, but also a much loved father.

“I express the State’s gratitude not only for Judge Zahra’s work as a judge of the District Court, but his significant contribution and service to the law and legal profession over many decades.’’

“During his 15 years on the District Court bench, Judge Zahra earned the deep respect of his judicial colleagues, those at the Bar who appeared before him and the profession more broadly.

“On behalf of the people and Government of NSW, I offer my sincere condolences to his Honour’s wife, daughter and sons, his extended family and his many friends and colleagues.”

Originally published as Tributes for Judge Peter Zahra, who was presiding over Guy Sebastian manager Titus Day’s case