Service NSW Sydney sting accused of being left behind bars

A man accused of stabbing a Service NSW employee on Friday will remain in custody for at least eight weeks despite lawyers attempting to transfer him to a psychiatric facility.

It was decided that 37-year-old Mahmoud Sarhab will not appear in parramatta bail court on Saturday morning and will undergo a mental health evaluation.

Salhab’s family attended the court but did not participate in the hearing.

Salhab’s attorney, Javid Faiz, initially asked for his client to be transferred to a mental health facility. A magistrate found insufficient evidence for it to occur and instead, acknowledging that this would result in a “time lag”, ordered a mental health assessment to be completed while in custody.

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Faiz was told in court that he had trouble obtaining direction from his client due to his mental health problems, and concerns were raised by corrections officers at the Surry Hills Police Department about managing Salhab outside of a psychiatric facility. and that it contributed to his decision. He will not appear for Saturday’s hearing via video link from the broadcaster.

Salhab is accused of stabbing a Service NSW employee in the waist, chest and shoulder at the organization’s Haymarket branch around 9:20 am on Friday.

Victim is a 54-year-old man He was taken to St. Vincent’s Hospital in critical but stable condition after surgery on Friday.

Speaking outside of court, Faiz admitted the allegations against his client were “very serious in nature” but intended to apply for bail once a mental health evaluation was obtained.