THE man charged with the shooting manslaughter of another has had his bail conditions relaxed so that he won’t have to report to police.
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Adnan Al Youssef did not appear in Tamworth Local Court on Wednesday morning, but an agent solicitor said the 41-year-old was suffering “psychological issues” after the Boxing Day death.
Youssef is accused of causing the death of 23-year-old Ali Wannous in Bundella, near Quirindi, between 10.15pm and 10.24pm on December 26 by discharging a firearm without regard to public safety, amounting to manslaughter.
Agent solicitor Garry Johnston said Youssef was not appearing and asked for his attendance to be excused.
“There is no objection to a bail variation,” he told the court, asking for all reporting conditions to be deleted.
“Mr Youssef is suffering from psychological issues at the moment given [what’s happened].”
Mr Youssef is suffering from psychological issues at the moment given [what’s happened].
- Agent solicitor Garry Johnston
“This is the accidental discharge of the firearm,” magistrate Julie Soars replied, examining the court papers.
Mr Johnston said Youssef lived in Sydney and had “no record, surrendered his passport, strong community ties, six children”.
“Certainly police have no issues,” he told the court, before Ms Soars granted the variation.
Youssef was given bail in a Sydney court just two days after the shooting, after posting $5000 surety. He also had to surrender his passport, must not approach any international point of departure, and must live in Yagoona.
At the time, the court heard Youssef was employed as a site foreman at a Sydney company and managed several employees.
Detectives allege Youssef fired a registered firearm while cleaning the gun on Boxing Day night.
Mr Wannous, who is also from Sydney’s south-west area, died at the scene.
It’s understood the pair were part of a group of eight people visiting the property at Coomoo Coomoo Creek Road on a pre-arranged hunting trip.
Police are preparing a brief of evidence, which is expected to be served next month.
“That’s effectively for the next step in the process,” Mr Johnston said.
“I’d seek that he be excused for that reason.”
Youssef won’t have to appear when the case returns to court in February, after Ms Soars granted the application to have him excused if he’s legally represented.