WHERE IS JUSTICE..?! – A man accused of g@ng-r@ping and imprisoning a 14-year-old girl has been granted bail, sparking outrage as emotional scenes unfolded outside court.
The father of a man accused of imprisoning and gang-raping a 14-year-old girl has clashed with a freelance photographer, saying he did not have ‘permission’ to photograph his son who is charged with serious offences.
As accused rapist Mohamed Hafda emerged from Melbourne Magistrates’ Court, his father confronted the photographer on assignment for the Daily Mail.
Hafda’s dad attempted to block the photographer’s view before lashing out, saying: ‘Don’t take photos of us. You don’t have my permission to take photos of us.’
When the cameraman told the father he did not need permission to take images of a person leaving court after a hearing, the pair attempted to mask their faces.
The father then attempted to create a diversion while his son hurried away from the court precinct, but the photographer was still able to capture images of him leaving.
Hafda, 23, and co-accused Massimo Salerno, 22, are charged with both keeping a 14-year-old girl prisoner while they repeatedly raped her.
Sex crime investigators allege the gang rapes occurred in Coburg in September 2023, but the pair were not charged until January 14 this year.
Fawkner Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation Team detectives laid charges after the matter was reported to police and an investigation was undertaken.
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Accused rapist Mohamed Hafda, 23, is seen leaving Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Friday
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Hafda attempted to conceal his identity from the Daily Mail
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Hafda’s father, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, verbally clashed with a photographer
Hafda and Salerno are also accused of sexually assaulting and penetrating the child.
The pair have further been charged with causing the alleged victim to touch them in a sexual manner without her consent.
Hafda, who is remarkably on bail for the serious indictable charges, also allegedly supplied the child with drugs.
The court heard Salerno, who failed to appear at this hearing and the previous mention, had also been granted bail on these charges but was later remanded over unrelated alleged offending.
Salerno, of South Morang in Melbourne’s outer north, remains in custody and is expected to be on remand at the next court date.
Hafda, of Lalor in Melbourne’s north, had his bail extended to front court at a later date.
Hafda’s father is not accused of any wrongdoing and was simply supporting his son in court.
The case continues.
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Hafda, who was charged in January 14 this year, was hesitant to leave court
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Hafda and his father attempted to avoid media scrutiny
