Doubts after 'unprecedented' arrests over luxury fakes
Brothers Ahmad Kase Siddiqi, 30, and Ahmad Jawade Siddiqi, 33, as well as Shadi Skaf, 30, have been charged over the sale of everything from counterfeit Rolex watches to Cartier bracelets and Louis Vuitton bags.
When police raided their homes on Wednesday, they seized high-end cars including a Mercedes AMG and Lamborghinis.
But as a bail hearing resumed on Friday the trio's lawyers maintained it was unclear what crime the accused men had committed.
The federal government might be "aiding and abetting" or "conspiring" with the men by taking their income tax, Jawade Siddiqi's barrister Steven Boland alleged.
While police have said the scheme netted about $9.75 million in profits, that figure came from bank records stretching back to 2017.
Court documents indicate the alleged offences - which include dealing with the proceeds of crime - only took place from 2022.
There had also been no concealment of business activity, lawyers argued.
Mr Boland told Parramatta Local Court the decision to charge his client was "unprecedented" because police did not make more of an effort to shut down counterfeit sales at markets.
"If it's really criminal to import these items, to sell them and to knowingly import these items, you shouldn't be able to walk into a market ... and buy them," he told the court.
"There's no government information to that effect, just a suburban police station laying a charge."
There were no allegations of fraud, but a breach of intellectual property made by police, rather than brand owners, Mr Boland argued.
"It's not clear the brand owners even know or care," he said.
Describing the strength of the prosecution case as "moderate", Magistrate Emma Manea bailed the trio on strict conditions.
She found issues surrounding the date range of the alleged offending, along with what type of offence underpinned their dealing with proceeds of crime charges.
Bail conditions included paying a $50,000 surety, reporting to a police station twice a day, not using social media and not associating with one another.
During their raids earlier this week, officers confiscated a cache of more than 500 counterfeit luxury items, such as handbags, sneakers and watches - all imported from China - across three sites.
More than $250,000 in cash and a gel blaster firearm were also seized.
Fake watches of "extremely good quality" that resembled genuine articles worth more than $20,000 were sold to customers for $800 apiece, police said.
Police allege more than one of the trio was receiving Centrelink payments while benefiting from the proceeds of their crimes.
The allegedly tainted assets were now under the control of the NSW Crime Commission, its executive director said.
Three men accused of running a multimillion-dollar fake luxury goods empire have been bailed after a lawyer's extraordinary claim governments may be complicit by receiving tax on their sales.
Brothers Ahmad Kase Siddiqi, 30, and Ahmad Jawade Siddiqi, 33, as well as Shadi Skaf, 30, have been charged over the sale of everything from counterfeit Rolex watches to Cartier bracelets and Louis Vuitton bags.
When police raided their homes on Wednesday, they seized high-end cars including a Mercedes AMG and Lamborghinis.
But as a bail hearing resumed on Friday the trio's lawyers maintained it was unclear what crime the accused men had committed.
The federal government might be "aiding and abetting" or "conspiring" with the men by taking their income tax, Jawade Siddiqi's barrister Steven Boland alleged.
While police have said the scheme netted about $9.75 million in profits, that figure came from bank records stretching back to 2017.
Court documents indicate the alleged offences - which include dealing with the proceeds of crime - only took place from 2022.
There had also been no concealment of business activity, lawyers argued.
Mr Boland told Parramatta Local Court the decision to charge his client was "unprecedented" because police did not make more of an effort to shut down counterfeit sales at markets.
"If it's really criminal to import these items, to sell them and to knowingly import these items, you shouldn't be able to walk into a market ... and buy them," he told the court.
"There's no government information to that effect, just a suburban police station laying a charge."
There were no allegations of fraud, but a breach of intellectual property made by police, rather than brand owners, Mr Boland argued.
"It's not clear the brand owners even know or care," he said.
Describing the strength of the prosecution case as "moderate", Magistrate Emma Manea bailed the trio on strict conditions.
She found issues surrounding the date range of the alleged offending, along with what type of offence underpinned their dealing with proceeds of crime charges.
Bail conditions included paying a $50,000 surety, reporting to a police station twice a day, not using social media and not associating with one another.
During their raids earlier this week, officers confiscated a cache of more than 500 counterfeit luxury items, such as handbags, sneakers and watches - all imported from China - across three sites.
More than $250,000 in cash and a gel blaster firearm were also seized.
Fake watches of "extremely good quality" that resembled genuine articles worth more than $20,000 were sold to customers for $800 apiece, police said.
Police allege more than one of the trio was receiving Centrelink payments while benefiting from the proceeds of their crimes.
The allegedly tainted assets were now under the control of the NSW Crime Commission, its executive director said.
Three men accused of running a multimillion-dollar fake luxury goods empire have been bailed after a lawyer's extraordinary claim governments may be complicit by receiving tax on their sales.
Brothers Ahmad Kase Siddiqi, 30, and Ahmad Jawade Siddiqi, 33, as well as Shadi Skaf, 30, have been charged over the sale of everything from counterfeit Rolex watches to Cartier bracelets and Louis Vuitton bags.
When police raided their homes on Wednesday, they seized high-end cars including a Mercedes AMG and Lamborghinis.
But as a bail hearing resumed on Friday the trio's lawyers maintained it was unclear what crime the accused men had committed.
The federal government might be "aiding and abetting" or "conspiring" with the men by taking their income tax, Jawade Siddiqi's barrister Steven Boland alleged.
While police have said the scheme netted about $9.75 million in profits, that figure came from bank records stretching back to 2017.
Court documents indicate the alleged offences - which include dealing with the proceeds of crime - only took place from 2022.
There had also been no concealment of business activity, lawyers argued.
Mr Boland told Parramatta Local Court the decision to charge his client was "unprecedented" because police did not make more of an effort to shut down counterfeit sales at markets.
"If it's really criminal to import these items, to sell them and to knowingly import these items, you shouldn't be able to walk into a market ... and buy them," he told the court.
"There's no government information to that effect, just a suburban police station laying a charge."
There were no allegations of fraud, but a breach of intellectual property made by police, rather than brand owners, Mr Boland argued.
"It's not clear the brand owners even know or care," he said.
Describing the strength of the prosecution case as "moderate", Magistrate Emma Manea bailed the trio on strict conditions.
She found issues surrounding the date range of the alleged offending, along with what type of offence underpinned their dealing with proceeds of crime charges.
Bail conditions included paying a $50,000 surety, reporting to a police station twice a day, not using social media and not associating with one another.
During their raids earlier this week, officers confiscated a cache of more than 500 counterfeit luxury items, such as handbags, sneakers and watches - all imported from China - across three sites.
More than $250,000 in cash and a gel blaster firearm were also seized.
Fake watches of "extremely good quality" that resembled genuine articles worth more than $20,000 were sold to customers for $800 apiece, police said.
Police allege more than one of the trio was receiving Centrelink payments while benefiting from the proceeds of their crimes.
The allegedly tainted assets were now under the control of the NSW Crime Commission, its executive director said.
Three men accused of running a multimillion-dollar fake luxury goods empire have been bailed after a lawyer's extraordinary claim governments may be complicit by receiving tax on their sales.
Brothers Ahmad Kase Siddiqi, 30, and Ahmad Jawade Siddiqi, 33, as well as Shadi Skaf, 30, have been charged over the sale of everything from counterfeit Rolex watches to Cartier bracelets and Louis Vuitton bags.
When police raided their homes on Wednesday, they seized high-end cars including a Mercedes AMG and Lamborghinis.
But as a bail hearing resumed on Friday the trio's lawyers maintained it was unclear what crime the accused men had committed.
The federal government might be "aiding and abetting" or "conspiring" with the men by taking their income tax, Jawade Siddiqi's barrister Steven Boland alleged.
While police have said the scheme netted about $9.75 million in profits, that figure came from bank records stretching back to 2017.
Court documents indicate the alleged offences - which include dealing with the proceeds of crime - only took place from 2022.
There had also been no concealment of business activity, lawyers argued.
Mr Boland told Parramatta Local Court the decision to charge his client was "unprecedented" because police did not make more of an effort to shut down counterfeit sales at markets.
"If it's really criminal to import these items, to sell them and to knowingly import these items, you shouldn't be able to walk into a market ... and buy them," he told the court.
"There's no government information to that effect, just a suburban police station laying a charge."
There were no allegations of fraud, but a breach of intellectual property made by police, rather than brand owners, Mr Boland argued.
"It's not clear the brand owners even know or care," he said.
Describing the strength of the prosecution case as "moderate", Magistrate Emma Manea bailed the trio on strict conditions.
She found issues surrounding the date range of the alleged offending, along with what type of offence underpinned their dealing with proceeds of crime charges.
Bail conditions included paying a $50,000 surety, reporting to a police station twice a day, not using social media and not associating with one another.
During their raids earlier this week, officers confiscated a cache of more than 500 counterfeit luxury items, such as handbags, sneakers and watches - all imported from China - across three sites.
More than $250,000 in cash and a gel blaster firearm were also seized.
Fake watches of "extremely good quality" that resembled genuine articles worth more than $20,000 were sold to customers for $800 apiece, police said.
Police allege more than one of the trio was receiving Centrelink payments while benefiting from the proceeds of their crimes.
The allegedly tainted assets were now under the control of the NSW Crime Commission, its executive director said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Man of Many
21 hours ago
- Man of Many
Big Rolex Price Increases for 2025 Revealed
If you've spent the past few years on 'the list' for a Daytona or Submariner, you'd understand just how hard it is to purchase a stainless steel Rolex at an affordable price. Over the past decade or so, the iconic Swiss watchmaker has seen a scarcity surge dramatically increase demand, leading to an ever-growing secondary market that enables resellers to make a living off flipping their retail purchases. The 'Great Rolex Shortage' is nothing new, but it's a reflection of how one brand's value and sentiment have pushed its fans to a fever pitch. With demand skyrocketing and products harder to find, it makes sense that the manufacturer would want to capitalise, and that's exactly what Rolex has done by increasing their retail prices again. Heck, they've even started selling certified pre-owned watches in boutiques! But for all the slight markups and price changes, it might matter less. With the Rolex Daytona, Datejust and Submariner among the most popular watches of the last few years, the chances of purchasing one at retail are getting slimmer by the day. Scarcity remains at an all-time high, with only a select allocation of models available for each region, making the prospect of nabbing one all the more difficult. Some have speculated the shortage may have been by design, rather than demand. However, late last year, Rolex issued an official statement that suggested otherwise. Today, we're looking at the increase for 2025. Rolex Submariner Date | Image: Supplied / Rolex Price (2025): AUD$18,050 Price (2024): AUD$17,700 The number one starter pack, Rolex, the Submariner Date ref. 126610LN has copped a mild AUD$350 price increase for 2025. It's one of the brand's top-selling watches, so it makes sense that they wouldn't want the price to skyrocket and turn away all of the real estate agents, fashion, and finance bros, who have budgeted the price of their first car to add their name to the list. Despite the price increase, there's no doubt that the Rolex Submariner Date is one of the most iconic watches of all time. It's the watch equivalent of a Porsche 911, and if you ask us, it's still worth the price with a COSC certification, Calibre 3235 automatic movement, and 300 m / 1,000 ft of water-resistance. If you were planning to flip it on the secondary market, there's still some headroom in the price for a tidy profit, with most selling for between $18,000-25,000 on the secondary market. Reference no. : 126610LN : 126610LN Case diameter : 41 mm, Oystersteel : 41 mm, Oystersteel Bezel : Unidirectional 60-minute bezel, black Cerachrom insert, numerals & graduations in platinum : Unidirectional 60-minute bezel, black Cerachrom insert, numerals & graduations in platinum Crystal : Scratch-resistant sapphire with Cyclops date lens : Scratch-resistant sapphire with Cyclops date lens Water-resistance : 300 m / 1,000 ft : 300 m / 1,000 ft Movement : Calibre 3235, self-winding mechanical (Perpetual rotor) : Calibre 3235, self-winding mechanical (Perpetual rotor) Accuracy : −2 / +2 s per day (after casing) : −2 / +2 s per day (after casing) Power reserve : approx. 70 hours : approx. 70 hours Bracelet : Oyster three-piece solid-link bracelet (Oystersteel) : Oyster three-piece solid-link bracelet (Oystersteel) Certification: Superlative Chronometer (COSC + Rolex in-house tests) Rolex Day-Date 40 'President' in Yellow Gold | Image: Supplied / Rolex Price (2025): AUD$74,600 Price (2024): AUD$69,700 The Rolex Day-Date 40 'President' in Yellow Gold shares insights on how the solid gold Rolex models have fared when it comes to price increases in 2025. This is one of the most sought-after models, worn by the President of the United States, and it's seen a AUD$4,900 price increase. It's difficult to track how the price of gold models has been affected by the gold market itself, which continues to increase in value. However, considering the increases across the Rolex line-up, it seems they've been affected considerably. Still, the Rolex President is a worthwhile investment with a market price between AUD$60,000-120,000, depending on the year model, rarity, and condition. The 2025 model uses a calibre 3255 automatic movement with a self-winding mechanical (Perpetual rotor) and day-date function. It has an accuracy of −2 / +2 s per day and a Superlative Chronometer certification, like all Rolex models. Reference no. : 228238 : 228238 Case diameter : 40 mm, 18 ct yellow gold : 40 mm, 18 ct yellow gold Bezel : Fluted bezel, 18 ct yellow gold : Fluted bezel, 18 ct yellow gold Crystal : Scratch-resistant sapphire with Cyclops date lens : Scratch-resistant sapphire with Cyclops date lens Water-resistance : 100 m / 330 ft : 100 m / 330 ft Movement : Calibre 3255, self-winding mechanical (Perpetual rotor), day-date function : Calibre 3255, self-winding mechanical (Perpetual rotor), day-date function Accuracy : −2 / +2 s per day (after casing) : −2 / +2 s per day (after casing) Power reserve : approx. 70 hours : approx. 70 hours Bracelet : President semi-circular three-piece-link bracelet (18 ct yellow gold) : President semi-circular three-piece-link bracelet (18 ct yellow gold) Certification: Superlative Chronometer (COSC + Rolex in-house tests) Rolex Oyster Perpetual 36 'Tiffany' | Image: Supplied / Rolex Rolex Oyster Perpetual 36 'Tiffany' Price (2025): AUD$10,750 Price (2024): AUD$10,050 If the Submariner is most people's first Rolex, the entry-level Oyster Perpetual 36 is the most accessible. It's one of the cheapest new Rolexes that money can buy, but it has copped a modest ADU$700 price increase for 2025. Still, it's a top performer in the AUD$10,000 price bracket thanks to its automatic calibre 3230 movement that boasts 70 hours of power reserve and an accuracy of −2 / +2 s per day, which is amongst the best in this segment. The 'Tiffany' dial (ref. 126000-0006) that we've chosen to showcase here isn't more expensive than any other Oyster Perpetual 36. Reference no. : 126000-0006 : 126000-0006 Case diameter : 36 mm, Oystersteel : 36 mm, Oystersteel Bezel : Domed bezel, Oystersteel : Domed bezel, Oystersteel Crystal : Scratch-resistant sapphire : Scratch-resistant sapphire Water-resistance : 100 m / 330 ft : 100 m / 330 ft Movement : Calibre 3230, self-winding mechanical (Perpetual rotor) : Calibre 3230, self-winding mechanical (Perpetual rotor) Accuracy : −2 / +2 s per day (after casing) : −2 / +2 s per day (after casing) Power reserve : approx. 70 hours : approx. 70 hours Bracelet : Oyster three-piece solid-link bracelet (Oystersteel) : Oyster three-piece solid-link bracelet (Oystersteel) Certification: Superlative Chronometer (COSC + Rolex in-house tests) Rolex GMT-Master II Jubilee | Image: Supplied / Rolex Rolex GMT-Master II 'Batman' Jubilee Price (2025): AUD$19,200 Price (2024): AUD$17,850 The Rolex GMT-Master II is the first 'serious' Rolex that watch enthusiasts will buy, and with an added layer of complexity because of the GMT function, it's more expensive than the similarly designed Submariner model. This year, the Rolex GMT-Master II with Jubilee bracelet has seen a AUD$1,350 price increase. Still, it's under AUD$20,000, and for that amount of money, you're getting a seriously impressive timepiece with industry-leading specifications that include 70 hours of power reserve thanks to an efficient Calibre 3285, self-winding mechanical movement with a GMT function. It boasts 100 m / 330 ft of water-resistance and an accuracy of −2 / +2 s per day, which is good enough for a Superlative Chronometer certification (Rolex's in-house certification). Reference no. : 126710BLNR : 126710BLNR Case diameter : 40 mm, Oystersteel : 40 mm, Oystersteel Bezel : Bidirectional 24-hour bezel, blue-and-black Cerachrom insert with moulded numerals : Bidirectional 24-hour bezel, blue-and-black Cerachrom insert with moulded numerals Crystal : Scratch-resistant sapphire with Cyclops date lens : Scratch-resistant sapphire with Cyclops date lens Water-resistance: 100 m / 330 ft 100 m / 330 ft Movement : Calibre 3285, self-winding mechanical (Perpetual rotor), GMT function : Calibre 3285, self-winding mechanical (Perpetual rotor), GMT function Accuracy : −2 / +2 s per day (after casing) : −2 / +2 s per day (after casing) Power reserve : approx. 70 hours : approx. 70 hours Bracelet : Jubilee five-piece-link bracelet (Oystersteel) with folding Oysterlock safety clasp : Jubilee five-piece-link bracelet (Oystersteel) with folding Oysterlock safety clasp Certification: Superlative Chronometer (COSC + Rolex in-house tests) Rolex Cosmograph Daytona in Oystersteel | Image: Supplied / Rolex Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 'Panda' in Oystersteel Price (2025): AUD$27,000 Price (2024): AUD$25,200 One of the best investment-grade watches that money can buy, the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 'Panda' in Oystersteel has copped a modest AUD$1,800 price increase for 2025. However, that's still a drop of water in the pond that is the secondary market for this racing watch. See, prices for the steel Daytona sit between AUD$42,000-58,000 on the market, so you wouldn't be complaining about the prices of this watch if you were offered the chance to buy one from your AD. Due to market forces, Yellow-gold Daytona prices have increased even more than the Oystersteel model we've selected here, and you should expect to cough up AUD$81,800 (ref. 126508) for a solid gold model in 2025. Reference no. : 126500LN : 126500LN Case diameter : 40 mm, Oystersteel : 40 mm, Oystersteel Bezel : Black monobloc Cerachrom bezel in ceramic with tachymetric scale : Black monobloc Cerachrom bezel in ceramic with tachymetric scale Crystal : Scratch-resistant sapphire : Scratch-resistant sapphire Water-resistance : 100 m / 330 ft : 100 m / 330 ft Movement : Calibre 4131, self-winding mechanical chronograph (Perpetual rotor) : Calibre 4131, self-winding mechanical chronograph (Perpetual rotor) Accuracy : −2 / +2 s per day (after casing) : −2 / +2 s per day (after casing) Power reserve : approx. 72 hours : approx. 72 hours Bracelet : Oyster three-piece solid-link bracelet (Oystersteel) with folding Oysterlock safety clasp : Oyster three-piece solid-link bracelet (Oystersteel) with folding Oysterlock safety clasp Certification: Superlative Chronometer (COSC + Rolex in-house tests) Rolex Explorer II 'Polar' | Image: Supplied / Rolex Rolex Explorer II 'Polar' Price (2025): AUD$16,950 Price (2024): AUD$15,550 Ouch! One of our favourite sleeper Rolex models, the Rolex Explorer II 'Polar,' has grown in popularity over the last 5 years, and it seems the brand has decided to increase its exclusivity with a price increase of AUD$1,400 for 2025. It makes the sleeper model slightly less appealing as a Submariner alternative, but it's hard to argue that this isn't worth the money, with a calibre 3285, self-winding mechanical movement that boasts – 2 / +2 s per day accuracy, 70 hours of power reserve, and 100 m / 330 ft of water-resistance. Reference no. : 226570-0001 : 226570-0001 Case diameter : 42 mm, Oystersteel : 42 mm, Oystersteel Bezel : Fixed 24-hour graduated bezel, Oystersteel : Fixed 24-hour graduated bezel, Oystersteel Crystal : Scratch-resistant sapphire with Cyclops date lens : Scratch-resistant sapphire with Cyclops date lens Water-resistance : 100 m / 330 ft : 100 m / 330 ft Movement : Calibre 3285, self-winding mechanical (Perpetual rotor), GMT function : Calibre 3285, self-winding mechanical (Perpetual rotor), GMT function Accuracy : −2 / +2 s per day (after casing) : −2 / +2 s per day (after casing) Power reserve : approx. 70 hours : approx. 70 hours Bracelet : Oyster three-piece solid-link bracelet (Oystersteel) with folding Oysterlock safety clasp : Oyster three-piece solid-link bracelet (Oystersteel) with folding Oysterlock safety clasp Certification: Superlative Chronometer (COSC + Rolex in-house tests) Rolex Manufacture | Image: Supplied / Rolex Why Rolex Prices Continue to Rise Rolex has always said that scarcity is not something that's built into their strategy. They've previously claimed that production cannot meet demand, and that's driven the value of their watches through the roof. 'The scarcity of our products is not a strategy on our part. Our current production cannot meet the existing demand in an exhaustive way, at least not without reducing the quality of our watches – something we refuse to do as the quality of our products must never be compromised,' Rolex wrote in the statement back in 2022. 'This level of excellence requires time, and as we have always done, we will continue to take the necessary time to ensure that all our watches not only comply with our standards of excellence, but also meet the expectations of our customers in terms of quality, reliability and robustness. Rolex does not compromise on what it takes to produce exceptional watches.' The exclusivity of the Rolex retail market has meant second-hand or resale communities, like the one run by Hafiz Jawad Mehmood, are among the only places an avid fan can score a new piece. Mehmood is the admin for the popular online watch community Australian Watch Buy, Swap and Sell (AWBSS), and he has noted the dramatic increase in Rolex resale prices over the past few years. Still, he believes scarcity isn't the only factor responsible. '(There) are few very solid drivers, in my opinion: investment potential, FOMO, and status symbol,' Mehmood tells Man of Many. 'Watches used to be an expense; now they're a property or a good investment when picked carefully.' The avid watch enthusiast has been managing AWBSS, which boasts over 92,000 members, for over five years. In that period, Mehmood has bought, sold and overseen several Rolex sales, observing the major increase in demand for second-hand timepieces play out first-hand. 'The Rolex 'Hulk' this time last year (even after being discontinued) was AUD$27,000-$28,000 BNIB. Now, a BNIB Rolex 'Hulk' is in the high AUD$40,000 to $50,000, it has doubled,' he said. 'In 2017, I bought a brand new 'Hulk' from a secondary dealer, paying a premium price of AUD$13,500. In 2018, I bought for AUD$16,000, and if I buy one today, it's over three times that price. The Rolex Panda in 2018 was in the high AUD$20,000s, and I remember people saying that the bubble was about to burst. Many are still waiting for that bubble to burst, but it sadly doesn't exist.' Rolex Oyster Perpetual Land-Dweller 40 in 950 Platinum | Image: Supplied / Rolex How the Rolex Price Increase Affects the Resale Market Mehmood says the connection between the retail price increase and the resale market is complex, but recent figures would suggest the value is only increasing. And it's not exclusive to Rolex. The AWBSS community leader revealed that an interesting push towards high-end luxury watches had also prompted a greater level of activity and interest for names such as Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet over the last year. 'In the short term, the retail increase doesn't impact the secondary price right away, but in the mid- to long-term, it does indirectly,' he explains. 'Rolex Sports models are already over two to three times retail, and they don't really depend on a 10 per cent retail increase for their prices to continue to rise, but in the longer term, an increase in retail overall strengthens the preowned market prices. In short, it's not the retail price that bumps the secondary prices directly; it's their scarcity.' So, what does Rolex bumping up its prices mean for watch fans? While it may not immediately impact the luxury watch resale market, only time will tell how the update is reflected in scarcity limits. In all likelihood, the reality may simply be that expensive luxury watches are only getting more expensive. Go figure.
News.com.au
2 days ago
- News.com.au
Man accused of choking woman he met on dating app barred from leaving NSW
A NSW man accused of choking a woman he met on a dating app after allegedly sexually assaulting, choking and kidnapping another woman over a three-year period has been barred from leaving the state. The 44-year-old man has been charged with 15 domestic violence-related offences, including eight counts of sexual intercourse without consent and three counts of intentionally choking a person without consent. Police allege a series of domestic violence sexual assault, choking and kidnapping offences were carried out over a three-year period between 2021 and 2023 against a 35-year-old woman. Officers were also told the man allegedly choked a 52-year-old woman he met on a dating app in March 2024. He was arrested in Russel Lea in Sydney's inner west early on Wednesday morning. Among his other charges were two counts of stalking and intimidation, intentionally record intimate image without consent (domestic violence), and take/detain person with intent to obtain advantage. The 44-year-old fronted Parramatta Local Court on Thursday where he was allowed out on bail. However, he's been barred from leaving the state of NSW as per his bail conditions. He was ordered to hand over his passport before his release and prohibited from applying for a new passport, entering any international airport or point of departure from Australia. He was also slapped with an electronic monitoring device and given a curfew between 8pm and 5am. Further, the man must report to a police station once per day, three times a week, and not contact any prosecution witnesses except through a lawyer. He is set to reappear before Paramatta Local Court on September 10.
ABC News
2 days ago
- ABC News
Patricia is going without food to feed her cats, as she struggles to pay her mortgage — and she is not alone
When Patricia McGarry first saw the little corner house in a small country town, she knew it was exactly what she had been looking for. "It was just my dream home and I was so happy to find it," she tells the ABC from her lounge room, which is full of trinkets in her favourite colour, McGarry purchased the property for just over $200,000 around eight years ago and now has about $70,000 left to pay on the mortgage. But when the 68-year-old had to quit her supermarket check-out job due to several health issues, she started to fall behind on her home loan repayments. "When that all happened to me I went on Centrelink payments, just more or less the JobSeeker, which was about $384 a fortnight. I could not pay my house payments then," she says. She is among tens of thousands of Australians falling behind on their mortgage repayments, a phenomenon made worse by a string of interest rate rises alongside rising cost of living pressures. The proportion of borrowers in arrears grew to 1.7 per cent in the first quarter of this year, according to housing research firm Cotality. With costs tight, Ms McGarry told the ABC she spends most of her time at home working on her craft projects and tending to her four beloved cats. "I don't buy too much for myself. If I do it's for my crafts, which I love doing," she says, as she puts the finishing touches on the windows for a doll's house. "I think the world of my cats, they're my life … They're more important than anything. They are the best little creatures in the world." Making ends meet is a day-to-day proposition for Ms McGarry, whose cats often take priority when there is little money left for the weekly grocery shop. "I do my best. I've gone without to make sure that they get their goods. And when I did my shopping last week, all I bought was cat food. I'm living off what's in the cupboard." After she stopped work, her bank put her on a reduced payment schedule and she now pays around $1,000 a month, but she is still in arrears and worried she will be forced to sell her house and move into a rental property, which at her age she is not keen to do. "I don't want to go into a little unit. I want to stay here because everything in this house I have got so that if I need to be in a wheelchair at any time, I can make it possible," Ms McGarry explains. "I've got a ramp at the back that I can use to put my wheelchair up. Why would I move? My bathroom's designed for me … I did all that to help me with my health so that I could live the way I'm living, and keep living." After the ABC contacted Patricia McGarry's bank about the story, Ms McGarry says they reached out to her and offered to extend the life of the home loan and further reduce her monthly mortgage repayments. She has just under $70,000 remaining on the loan. Claire Tacon from the National Debt Helpline says the service has been receiving more calls from people like Patricia McGarry since interest rates started to rise in 2022. Her advice for anyone struggling to pay their home loan was to first call their bank 'All the banks have hardship departments," she explains. "A lot of people don't realise that there are actually rights written into the credit legislation that if your circumstances have changed and you're not able to maintain your payments on your mortgage or any credit contract that you have. "You have the right to request a variation to that contract, your bank needs to consider your request, and they need to let you know whether they accept what you're asking. "And, if they don't accept it, you have the right to make a complaint to the ombudsman." While arrears rates have been rising, ratings agency Fitch noted in a recent report that the two interest rate cuts so far this year, as well as predicted further cuts, should help home owners who are struggling to pay their mortgage, eventually pushing arrears rates down.
