A former Melbourne man and father-of-eight arrested over a major drug-dealing operation on the Border has been bashed during his three months in jail.
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Mahmoud El Zayat had also been subject to extortion attempts from other prisoners, who had heard “whispers” about him via media reports.
These claims were aired in Albury Local Court yesterday when El Zayat made a failed bid to be released on bail.
The application seemed doomed from the start when El Zayat was able to only provide a residential address in Victoria should he be granted bail.
Magistrate Rodney Brender said that simply could not be considered as any NSW bail conditions could not be enforced by Victorian authorities.
This prompted a suggestion from El Zayat that he could provide a Shepparton address, but Mr Brender said that did not change the fact this still precluded him from obtaining bail.
El Zayat was one of five arrested in August over allegations they were involved in large-scale drug supply on the Border.
Police seized ice and cocaine valued at $300,000 and laid 140 charges against the three men and two women who were arrested.
After Mr Brender outlined the inherent problem with providing a Victorian address, he asked El Zayat’s lawyer whether he still wanted to proceed with the application.
This, he said, was on the basis that regardless of the address, El Zayat – supported in court by a large number of family members – had to show cause as to why his continued detention was not warranted.
While this meant police did not have to explain their reasons for opposing bail, prosecutor Sergeant Shannon Lewis said the most serious two charges El Zayat was facing, of supplying a commercial quantity of methamphetamine, carried a maximum sentence of life in jail.
El Zayat’s argument for being granted bail centred on his treatment by other prisoners at Junee jail and the impact his incarceration had on his mental health.
Mr Brender was told that El Zayat suffered from bipolar disorder, depression and a panic disorder. He had also lived a life free of crime up until the death of his father two years ago.
That was when he began using drugs and committing crimes.
There was also uncertainty about arrangements for the eight-month-old child he had with co-accused Claudette Tannous, who is also in custody, bail refused.
But Mr Brender said none of these arguments showed cause as to why El Zayat should be granted bail.
“These are very serious charges. It hasn’t been shown and I must refuse bail.”
Police allege that El Zayat received a financial reward of $51,600.
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