Ex-council member Salim Mehajer is on trial for allegedly strangling his girlfriend until she blacked out
- Salim Mehajer faces a process
- He is charged with domestic violence
- The former mayor denied the allegations
A controversial former Sydney councilor and businessman on trial on domestic violence charges is accused of strangling his girlfriend until she fell unconscious.
Salim Mehajer was charged in 2021 with three counts of common assault, harassment with intent to inflict fear and bodily harm, willful asphyxiation and assault resulting in actual bodily harm, with an alternative charge of common assault.
Mehajer, 36, who represented himself in NSW District Court on Wednesday, has denied the allegations.
The former deputy mayor of Auburn, in western Sydney, allegedly strangled his then-girlfriend until she was unconscious, callous or unable to resist at a Lidcombe property, the court heard.
Salim Mehajer (pictured), 36, who represented himself in NSW District Court on Wednesday, has denied the allegations
The former deputy mayor of western Sydney Auburn allegedly strangled his then-girlfriend until she was unconscious, insensitive or unable to resist at a Lidcombe property, the court heard
Judge James Bennett said the charge appeared to stem from “a dysfunctional, disrupted or broken relationship.”
Judge Bennett told the jury that the most important thing to note in the case was the perceived truthfulness of the accused.
He also warned the jury about the high profile of the defendant.
Judge James Bennett said the accusation appeared to stem from “a dysfunctional, disrupted or broken relationship” (photo, Salim Mehajer)
“Mr. Mehajer has been the subject of publicity in various media outlets,” Judge Bennett told the court on Wednesday.
“He is not on trial for a newspaper article written in the past. That’s totally irrelevant to what we’re going to do in this courtroom.”
The trial will continue on Monday.
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