Terrifying moment a man drives his Mercedes into a McDonald’s to run down his girfriend before leaping out with a knife and threatening to kill her
- CCTV shows man trying to run over partner
- Judge released the footage from Narellan McDonalds
- Abbas Hayder Al-Khafaji pleaded guilty, will be sentenced
CCTV has been released of the horrifying moment a man attempted to mow down his partner inside a McDonald’s.
The woman recalled in Campbelltown District Court this week how her relationship turned sour prior to Abbas Hayder Al-Khafaji trying to run her down with his car in February last year at a McDonald’s in Narellan.
The woman – who cannot be legally named – said she stuck by Al-Khafaji despite his recreational cannabis use in the hope they could turn their seven-year relationship around.
She said in the end he became possessive, paranoid and aggressive towards her and told the court she knew, ‘leaving this relationship was not going to be without explosive repercussions’.
A judge has released disturbing footage of Abbas Hayder Al-Khafaji trying to mow down his partner outside of a Narellan McDonalds before threatening her and a staff member with a knife.
‘Time and longevity in this relationship has proven to me that Abbas is relentless in pursuing what and who he wants,’ the woman told the court on Thursday.
‘Leaving this relationship was not going to be without explosive repercussions,’
On Friday, the judge released terrifying CCTV of the horrific attack as an example of the rise in violent and life-threatening offences.
Footage shows Al-Khafaji’s SUV plough through the McDonalds shopfront as his partner flees inside, knocking over two bollards, shattering glass and sending tables flying.
As the terrified woman flees to the kitchen, Al-Khafaji is seen taking a knife from his car and threatening her and a McDonald’s employee.
‘F*** you … I’m going to kill you,’ he is alleged to have said to the victim.
He confronts her multiple times, waving his arms at her, and threatens an employee before he paces angrily around the store.
He then returned to his car, reversed out of the shopfront and drove off.
Footage shows Al-Khafaji’s car plough through the McDonalds shopfront shattering glass and sending tables flying. While the victim runs to the kitchen, Al-Khafaji is seen taking a knife from his car and threatening her and a McDonald’s employee
Court documents reveal the victim had accepted he was going to stab her during the terrifying rampage.
Months later while in prison, he called her despite an AVO against him from contacting her.
Phone recordings reveal she said, ‘you should not be talking to me, you tried to kill me’, to which he replied ‘weren’t you happy I did that because it shows I’m serious about you?’.
Al-Khafaji has pleaded guilty to using an offensive weapon with an intent to commit an indictable offence, destroying or damaging property worth between $5000 and $15,000, and contravening the conditions of an AVO.
He remains in custody and will be sentenced on May 12, where he could face up to 12 years behind bars.
If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732.
