Salim Mehajer ‘in car crash’ on way to court

Salim Mehajer was due to appear before Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court over an alleged assault.

Images of Salim Mehajer, inset, and on stretcher have appeared on Twitter. Picture: @9NewsSyd

Embattled property developer Salim Mehajer has been involved in an alleged car accident this morning as he was on his way to Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court to begin an assault trial.

Mr Mehajer was due to appear before the court this morning after he was charged with assaulting a taxi driver and, hours later, Chanel Seven reporter Laura Banks, who was covering the story.

Mr Mehajer’s lawyer Brett Galloway told the court his client had been involved in a “relatively serious” car accident.

Footage of Mr Mehajer lying on a stretcher being loaded into an ambulance has appeared on Twitter and Mr Galloway told the court his client, who was driving the vehicle at the time of the crash, was being taken to Westmead Hospital in

A spokeswoman at Westmead Hospital told The Australian no one by the name Mehjaer was currently admitted at the hospital.

It was unclear whether Mr Mehajer had been discharged or had been taken to another location for medical attention.

Salim Mehajer’s lawyer Brett Galloway speaks to the media after the alleged motor vehicle accident on his way to court. Picture: John Grainger

Mr Mehjaer is facing two accounts of assault causing actual bodily harm and his trial, due to take several days, had been set down to start at 9.30am this morning.

It is alleged at around 4.30am on Sunday April 2, outside Sydney’s Star Casino, Mr Mehjaer threw an EFTPOS machine at the face of taxi driver Nazir Syed, causing “actually bodily harm”, with the man allegedly receiving an injury to his nose.

Mr Mehajer has also been charged with larceny, over allegedly stealing Mr Syed’s black iPhone 7, worth about $1500.

Mr Mehajer has pleaded not guilty to those charges.

The property developer and flamboyant former deputy mayor of Sydney’s Auburn was arrested in Sydney about 40 minutes after the alleged taxi driver assault.

Leaving Sydney City police station several hours after his arrest Mr Mehajer entered a taxi, however amid the media scrum the taxi driver refused to take him.

A person driving a white Porsche arrived and Mr Mehajer got into the driver’s seat. Ms Banks held a microphone into the car, preventing Mr Mehajer from closing the door.

Police allege Mr Mehajer closed the door on the arm of Ms Banks causing actual bodily harm.

Mr Mehajer also denies that allegation.

It is understood Ms Banks was due to take the stand this week in relation to the alleged assault.

Mr Mehajer shot to national prominence in 2015 after his opulent Sydney wedding, which involved an illegal road closure, $50 million in supercars and a jet flyover, drew widespread media attention.

A NSW government inquiry was subsequently launched into the relationships between property developers and members of Auburn Council.

Mr Mehajer is facing a long list of legal actions, including electoral fraud, and a string of alleged corporate wrongdoings surrounding his failing property development group.