Not guilty plea over Bondi attack
TWO men were formally charged in court earlier this week in relation to the October attack on a Jewish family walking home from a Shabbat dinner in Bondi.
TWO men were formally charged in court earlier this week in relation to the October attack on a Jewish family walking home from a Shabbat dinner in Bondi.
The assault, which occurred on October 25, caused an uproar in the Jewish and wider community and prompted condemnation locally and internationally.
Sporting a pair of crutches at Waverley Local Court on Tuesday, Spartaco Marciano Di Bella, 23, entered a plea of not guilty to affray before magistrate Clare Farnan.
His bail continues and he will appear in court again on January 14, 2014.
Addressing reporters outside the courthouse, Di Bella said “I feel remorse for the family,” but declined to comment further.
Robert Tamaki Clifford, 26, who is in police custody and did not appear in court personally, did not enter a plea.
He is charged with assault occasioning grievous bodily harm and being in possession of a knife in a public place.
His bail was refused and the case was also adjourned to January 14, 2014.
Two 17-year-olds have previously been charged with affray and breach of bail.
The five victims – four men ranging from 27 to 66 and a 62-year-old woman –were walking home close to midnight on October 25 when they were confronted by eight men, the incident escalating into a brawl.
One victim was left unconscious with internal bleeding, another suffered a broken finger and required stitches to the head, the third suffered a broken nose and an eye injury, another suffered a broken nose and the fifth suffered scratches and bruises.
GARETH NARUNSKY
Spartaco Marciano Di Bella, 23, leaves court after pleading not guilty. Photo: Henry Benjamin.
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