Bondi bash accused walks free
EXCLUSIVE ONE of the victims of a violent anti-Semitic attack on a group of Jews in Bondi last year has described a magistrate’s decision to clear one of the men accused of involvement in the fight as a “shame”.
EXCLUSIVE
One of the victims of a violent anti-Semitic attack on a group of Jews in Bondi last year has described a magistrate’s decision to clear one of the men accused of involvement in the fight as a “shame”.
Robert Tamaki Clifford, 26, was charged with affray, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and possessing a knife in a public place after three members of the Behar family and two friends were set upon and seriously assaulted on October 26 last year.
The prosecution alleged that Clifford – who pleaded not guilty to the charges – was one of up to 10 men who attacked the group as they walked home, along Glenayr Avenue, after having a Shabbat dinner.
In Sydney’s Central Local Court on Tuesday, the case against Clifford was dismissed after Magistrate John Andrews couldn’t be satisfied beyond reasonable doubt it was the accused who had committed the alleged offences.
Speaking to The AJN outside court, JNF NSW shaliach Shlomo Ben Haiem, 48, who was left with a broken nose and an injury to his eye after the attack, said: “I hope it will be the last time Jews will be hit, cursed in Australia or elsewhere around the world.”
Andrews described the attack as “disgusting” and “racially motivated”, but said CCTV footage from a nearby cafe didn’t clearly identify Clifford, who took the stand on Tuesday to repeatedly deny involvement in the fight.
He was pressed by prosecutor Clayton Bridge about a knife located on a roof near the crime scene, which contained his DNA and that of one of the victims, but argued it was a coincidence his knife was found there.
Clifford was one of two men charged over the attack who have now had cases against them dismissed.
In May, a charge of affray was withdrawn against Spartaco Marciano Di Bella, 24, after the Director of Public Prosecutions NSW found there was “insufficient evidence to ensure a reasonable prospect of a conviction”.
Outside court Clifford’s barrister Phillip Segal told reporters justice was done.
“We, as a community, deplore racial insults and we deplore any violence, and more so when it’s racially or religiously connected. But as far as this case goes, my client is innocent,” he said.
Three of the five victims – Lea Behar, 62, her son Shlomo, 27, and Ben Haiem – were in court for the judgement and left visibly disappointed.
“Hopefully there won’t be any more cases like that,” Ben Haiem said.
EVAN ZLATKIS
Members of the Behar family from left, Zeev Aronstam, Shlomo Behar, Lea Behar, Eli Behar (who were attacked last October) and Issar Ben Behar.
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