SHOTS were fired during a drug deal that turned into a robbery at a Sturt Highway rest stop east of Wagga, a court has been told.
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The sensational claims emerged during a bail application for Sydney man Ahmad El-Hajjar after he was committed for trial on seven charges, including armed robbery, discharging a nine millimetre Browning pistol with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, discharging the pistol in a public place and handling a firearm while under the influence of drugs.
Another six charges, including driving in a dangerous manner and driving under the influence of drugs (amphetamine and methamphetamine) will go to the District Court with the trial as either back-up or related charges.
El-Hajjar came to police attention just after 1am on November 21 when they attended a bad car crash at Borambola.
They allegedly found the pistol in the car.
Police initially charged El-Hajjar with firearm and driving offences, as well as being in possession of $3525 suspected of being stolen or otherwise unlawfully obtained.
But in Wagga Local Court on Wednesday, the armed robbery and discharging a firearm charges were revealed.
Crown solicitor, Lisa Hanshaw, in opposing a release application made on El-Hajjar’s behalf by solicitor David Barron claimed a drugs deal had turned into robbery at the rest stop before the crash.
She said police found spent cartridges at the rest stop.
“It was an extremely dangerous situation,” Ms Hanshaw said.
Mr Barron said El-Hajjar’s DNA had not been found on the pistol.
“So we say that significantly weakens the prosecution case,” Mr Barron said.
But Ms Hanshaw said the prosecution case was strong, and included an alleged victim telling police about a sum of money taken from him that was the same amount found on the accused, and also identifying El-Hajjar.
Ms Kennedy refused El-Hajjar bail, describing the prosecution case as very strong.
Earlier, El-Hajjar waived his right to a committal hearing and instead elected to have the case go directly to the District Court.