Accused wife torturer Walid Hasaneen, 52, has sacked his 10th barrister and fifth solicitor

A man accused of driving from South Australia to Central Queensland and allegedly subjected his former wife to nine hours of torture has had his fourth trial listing delisted and his 10th barrister withdraw from representing him.

Domestic violence generic. Picture: Contributed

A man accused of driving from South Australia to Central Queensland and allegedly subjected his former wife to nine hours of torture has had his fourth trial listing delisted and his 10th barrister withdraw from representing him.

Walid Hasaneen, 52, was charged with one count each of torture and deprivation of liberty, along with two counts of assault occasioning bodily harm – one while armed or in company – and three of common assault after an alleged incident on September 16, 2018 in Gladstone.

It was alleged Mr Hasaneen had driven from South Australia to “surprise” his wife of 26 years who had moved to the Central Queensland town for work.

Police allege Mr Hasaneen subjected his wife to nine hours of torture; punching, slapping and using a knife on her.

His matter was mentioned in Rockhampton District Court on June 3, 2022, with both his most recent barrister (who was only appointed last month) and solicitor withdrawing from representing Mr Hasaneen, both telling the court they had been dismissed by Mr Hasaneen.

Judge Jeff Clarke, who warned Mr Hasaneen on March 18, 2022 that there would be no more adjournments, said he had been informed at least two previous legal representatives had claimed non-payment and/fees were not paid.

However, Mr Hasaneen said that was not correct.

Judge Clarke told Mr Hasaneen there was a need for him to acquire alternative representation because Mr Hasaneen was not permitted by law to cross examine his former wife and if he was going to self-represent for the trial, the court would have to appoint a lawyer via Legal Aid to conduct the cross-examination of his former wife.

“There have been now five legal representatives and 10 barristers who have been engaged and then subsequently not engaged for one reason or another,” he said.

The court heard in March that there had been 30 applications to courts since Mr Hasaneen was charged in 2018 and the indictment presentation in July 2019.

One of the legal representatives had withdrawn as they were not available for a previously set trial start date.

The March trial listing was aborted after a misunderstanding of dates and Judge Clarke had set a new trial to start on June 13.

Judge Clarke delisted the June 13 trial date and adjourned the matter, with an appearance required by Mr Hasaneen on June 17.

Originally published as Accused wife torturer Walid Hasaneen, 52, has sacked his 10th barrister and fifth solicitor