Shop assistant denies lying after staged $2.8m heist
A shop assistant has been accused of lying in a police statement after she was tied to a chair during a $2.8 million jewellery heist.
Michel Germani is on trial over staging the robbery at his high-end jewellery store in January 2023, having owed more than $184,000 in rent to Sydney's Hilton Hotel.
The 67-year-old formed a plan with an associate to regain some funds before the store was shuttered.
Mounir Helou, 59, and Andrea David Cusumano, 59, are accused of being in on the scheme.
Helou went to the store with another man, Shanel Tofaeono, on January 19 and claimed they wanted to examine a $150,000 tennis necklace, the court has been told.
During the 11-minute robbery, Germani and his shop attendant Lana Al-Khoury were "manhandled" and had their hands and legs bound with cable ties.
A key issue in the trial is whether Ms Al-Khoury knew the robbery was staged.
Ms Al-Khoury broke down in tears in the witness box at the Downing Centre District Court on Tuesday.
Germani's barrister Matthew Kalyk argued the shop assistant lied during cross examination.
Ms Al-Khoury has been receiving weekly workers' compensation payments of about $2600 in since 2023, amounting to $130,000 per year, Mr Kalyk told the jury.
The shop assistant confirmed she had been receiving compensation because she was unable to work after the incident, but could not recall the exact amount.
Ms Al-Khoury attended a psychiatrist appointment in January required for a second insurance claim amounting to more than $200,000, Mr Kalyk said.
Mr Kalyk said the shop assistant told the psychiatrist she had been hit in the mouth during the incident and screamed in pain when one of the robbers' put an arm behind her neck.
But Ms Al-Khoury, whose second language in English, denied the claim.
"I didn't say these words to him (the psychiatrist)," she told the jury.
"I didn't say this because it didn't happen."
Ms Al-Khoury said she did not scream until after the robbers, who she referred to as the chubby man and tall man, had left.
During the trial, the chubby man was revealed as Helou and the tall man as Tofaeono.
Neither man hit her, she told the jury.
"All I thought at the time when he came closer to me was that I'm going to get raped," she said on Tuesday.
Mr Kalyk argued this was untrue because she did not mention it in her police statement.
"I didn't probably, because I was frightened at the time," Ms Al-Khoury replied.
"Being a woman, that is the first thing that is going to come to my mind."
Helou has admitted staging the robbery but denies a more serious charge of aggravated robbery against Ms Al-Khoury.
Helou and Tofaeono are not accused of rape.
Germani has pleaded not guilty to one count of aggravated robbery and one count of detaining without consent, but has admitted staging the robbery to gain financially through the attempted insurance claim.
The trial continues on Wednesday.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
West Australian
12 hours ago
- West Australian
‘He was going to hit me': Ex-Titans player testifies about fatal punch
A former Gold Coast Titans player accused of fatally striking a man during a street confrontation has taken the stand in his own defence, telling a Brisbane jury he acted out of fear in a chaotic and escalating situation. Oshae Jackson Tuiasau, 29, took to the witness box on Friday in the Supreme Court, where he pleaded not guilty to unlawfully striking Toro George, 39, who died in hospital eight days after collapsing on a Surfers Paradise street in the early hours of December 19, 2021. Mr Tuiasau, a married father who now works alongside his wife running children's events, told the court that he arrived at Havana RnB Nightclub just before midnight with two friends and met several people inside, including Mr George. He recalled that Mr George questioned their presence in the VIP area, allegedly asking: 'Who the f--k are these people?' Mr Tuiasau admitted he had consumed 15 to 20 Coronas that night but said he was not angry or looking for trouble. The court was previously told there had been a night of escalating tensions stemming from a sexual assault allegation inside the nightclub. A young woman, known to Mr Tuiasau, was celebrating her 19th birthday and testified that Mr George touched her inappropriately on the dance floor, prompting her brother to confront him and sparking a series of heated altercations captured on CCTV inside and outside the nightclub. Mr Tuiasau said he became aware of a commotion inside the nightclub involving Mr George but claimed he did not intervene when someone from his group told him that 'Toro had touched (a woman's) vagina'. 'We went somewhere else,' he said of his decision to avoid the confrontation. Mr Tuiasau said he later left the venue with two friends to go to a nearby hotel. Outside the club, police briefly separated both groups and escorted Mr George and others before they ran into Mr Tuiasau and others at the traffic lights. Mr Tuiasau said Mr George apologised to him. 'I'm sorry bro,' Mr George reportedly said. 'It's all good mate,' Mr Tuiasau replied. 'I accepted his apology,' Mr Tuiasau told the court. But tensions soon escalated again as the group walked down the street. Mr Tuiasau and other witnesses told the jury that Mr George's demeanour changed dramatically; he became agitated, loud and aggressive, yelling in both English and Cook Island Maori that he wanted to go back and get his brothers. Mr Tuiasau said he heard Mr George swearing and shouting about getting his 'f--king brothers'. During the short walk, Mr Tuiasau admitted saying to Mr George, 'Don't touch my sister,' and, 'Don't f--king come near me.' 'I felt like he was coming at me aggressively and he was going to hit me,' Mr Tuiasau said, adding that he was also worried for his friend Junior's safety. 'I was just trying to keep him away from me.' CCTV footage showed shoving between Mr George and other members of the group. Mr Tuiasau, who appeared uninvolved in the physical exchanges, was walking on the far side of the group. The footage showed Mr George leaning towards him before Mr Tuiasau suddenly struck him once in the face. Mr George fell backwards and hit his head on the pavement. He immediately lost consciousness. Mr Tuiasau said it all happened in a matter of 'seconds'. 'I didn't have time to think,' he said. Earlier in the trial, the jury was shown harrowing body-worn police footage of the moment officers found Mr George slumped and unconscious on a bench. They initially detected a pulse, but minutes later he went into cardiac arrest. An officer can be heard saying 'I think his pulse is gone … yep.' The officers quickly moved Mr George onto the ground, ripped open his shirt and began CPR. Some of the group admitted to initially lying to police by claiming Mr George had simply collapsed, offering what appeared to be vague or no explanation for their false statements. On Thursday, the court was told that medical experts debated the cause of Mr George's death. Mr Tuiasau's legal team argued the cardiac arrest and subsequent brain injury may have been unrelated to the punch. Forensic pathologist Melissa Thompson told the jury that it was her 'firm opinion' Mr George suffered cardiac arrest due to a concussive shock to the medulla oblongata, the brain stem, likely from striking his head on the ground. She described the punch itself as only 'mild to moderate' in force. Dr Thompson dismissed the possibility of anaphylaxis, noting none of Mr George's friends or treating clinicians reported symptoms consistent with that diagnosis but conceded it couldn't be entirely ruled out, nor could a coincidental cardiac arrest given his pre-existing health issues, including heart disease, cocaine use, and a blood-alcohol reading of 0.246 per cent. The defence's expert, Professor Johan Duflou, told the court that anaphylaxis from cocaine was possible, though unlikely. He also questioned Dr Thompson's theory, pointing out that Mr George's medulla did not display the kind of damage typically expected from a concussive shock. Mr Tuiasau's testimony is set to continue.
Perth Now
12 hours ago
- Perth Now
Fatal punch thrown in fear: court
A former Gold Coast Titans player accused of fatally striking a man during a street confrontation has taken the stand in his own defence, telling a Brisbane jury he acted out of fear in a chaotic and escalating situation. Oshae Jackson Tuiasau, 29, took to the witness box on Friday in the Supreme Court, where he pleaded not guilty to unlawfully striking Toro George, 39, who died in hospital eight days after collapsing on a Surfers Paradise street in the early hours of December 19, 2021. Mr Tuiasau, a married father who now works alongside his wife running children's events, told the court that he arrived at Havana RnB Nightclub just before midnight with two friends and met several people inside, including Mr George. He recalled that Mr George questioned their presence in the VIP area, allegedly asking: 'Who the f--k are these people?' Mr Tuiasau admitted he had consumed 15 to 20 Coronas that night but said he was not angry or looking for trouble. Former Queensland under-20 and Gold Coast Titans player Oshae Jackson Tuiasau is accused of killing a man with a single punch. NewsWire/Tertius Pickard Credit: News Corp Australia The court was previously told there had been a night of escalating tensions stemming from a sexual assault allegation inside the nightclub. A young woman, known to Mr Tuiasau, was celebrating her 19th birthday and testified that Mr George touched her inappropriately on the dance floor, prompting her brother to confront him and sparking a series of heated altercations captured on CCTV inside and outside the nightclub. Mr Tuiasau said he became aware of a commotion inside the nightclub involving Mr George but claimed he did not intervene when someone from his group told him that 'Toro had touched (a woman's) vagina'. 'We went somewhere else,' he said of his decision to avoid the confrontation. Mr Tuiasau said he later left the venue with two friends to go to a nearby hotel. Outside the club, police briefly separated both groups and escorted Mr George and others before they ran into Mr Tuiasau and others at the traffic lights. Mr Tuiasau said Mr George apologised to him. 'I'm sorry bro,' Mr George reportedly said. 'It's all good mate,' Mr Tuiasau replied. 'I accepted his apology,' Mr Tuiasau told the court. But tensions soon escalated again as the group walked down the street. Fatal punch victim Toro George. Facebook Credit: News Corp Australia Mr Tuiasau and other witnesses told the jury that Mr George's demeanour changed dramatically; he became agitated, loud and aggressive, yelling in both English and Cook Island Maori that he wanted to go back and get his brothers. Mr Tuiasau said he heard Mr George swearing and shouting about getting his 'f--king brothers'. During the short walk, Mr Tuiasau admitted saying to Mr George, 'Don't touch my sister,' and, 'Don't f--king come near me.' 'I felt like he was coming at me aggressively and he was going to hit me,' Mr Tuiasau said, adding that he was also worried for his friend Junior's safety. 'I was just trying to keep him away from me.' CCTV footage showed shoving between Mr George and other members of the group. Mr Tuiasau, who appeared uninvolved in the physical exchanges, was walking on the far side of the group. The footage showed Mr George leaning towards him before Mr Tuiasau suddenly struck him once in the face. Mr George fell backwards and hit his head on the pavement. He immediately lost consciousness. Mr Tuiasau said it all happened in a matter of 'seconds'. 'I didn't have time to think,' he said. Mr George's wife Arden George outside Brisbane Supreme Court. NewsWire/Tertius Pickard Credit: News Corp Australia Earlier in the trial, the jury was shown harrowing body-worn police footage of the moment officers found Mr George slumped and unconscious on a bench. They initially detected a pulse, but minutes later he went into cardiac arrest. An officer can be heard saying 'I think his pulse is gone … yep.' The officers quickly moved Mr George onto the ground, ripped open his shirt and began CPR. Some of the group admitted to initially lying to police by claiming Mr George had simply collapsed, offering what appeared to be vague or no explanation for their false statements. Mr Tuiasau played for the Gold Coast Titans. NRL Photos Credit: No Source On Thursday, the court was told that medical experts debated the cause of Mr George's death. Mr Tuiasau's legal team argued the cardiac arrest and subsequent brain injury may have been unrelated to the punch. Forensic pathologist Melissa Thompson told the jury that it was her 'firm opinion' Mr George suffered cardiac arrest due to a concussive shock to the medulla oblongata, the brain stem, likely from striking his head on the ground. She described the punch itself as only 'mild to moderate' in force. Dr Thompson dismissed the possibility of anaphylaxis, noting none of Mr George's friends or treating clinicians reported symptoms consistent with that diagnosis but conceded it couldn't be entirely ruled out, nor could a coincidental cardiac arrest given his pre-existing health issues, including heart disease, cocaine use, and a blood-alcohol reading of 0.246 per cent. The defence's expert, Professor Johan Duflou, told the court that anaphylaxis from cocaine was possible, though unlikely. He also questioned Dr Thompson's theory, pointing out that Mr George's medulla did not display the kind of damage typically expected from a concussive shock. Mr Tuiasau's testimony is set to continue.
The Advertiser
a day ago
- The Advertiser
Passenger dies after getting stuck between carriages
An inner-city passenger has died after attempting to walk between two light-rail carriages, authorities say. The man in his 40s died at the scene after crossing tram lines, before getting lodged under a tram departing a stop at Surry Hills in Sydney on Thursday afternoon. An investigation has begun but police are not treating the death as suspicious. "We've spoken to a number of witnesses, and that initial CCTV review at this stage (shows) he was waiting on the platform and then stepped off to try and cross the tramway between the carriages," NSW Police Inspector Anderson Lessing said. "That'll form our report to the coroner ... it appears to be a set of tragic circumstances on the platform." A police rescue operation lifted the tram carriage to free the man, Transport for NSW coordinator-general Howard Collins said. "Emergency services have provided medical care, but unfortunately, that male was pronounced deceased at this stage." The death comes after a teenage girl died after getting trapped under a tram in Sydney's CBD in 2023. Clear signage is at the station to stop people from walking on tram lines, Mr Collins said. "It is important to understand that there are warning signs, both in English and also a pictorial sign, clearly advising people," he said. "The operator will work with the regulator to ensure that if there are any recommendations, we'll act upon this." Passengers on board at the time and rail staff are being offered support services, Mr Collins added. Light rail services are running as normal after halting for a number of hours. An inner-city passenger has died after attempting to walk between two light-rail carriages, authorities say. The man in his 40s died at the scene after crossing tram lines, before getting lodged under a tram departing a stop at Surry Hills in Sydney on Thursday afternoon. An investigation has begun but police are not treating the death as suspicious. "We've spoken to a number of witnesses, and that initial CCTV review at this stage (shows) he was waiting on the platform and then stepped off to try and cross the tramway between the carriages," NSW Police Inspector Anderson Lessing said. "That'll form our report to the coroner ... it appears to be a set of tragic circumstances on the platform." A police rescue operation lifted the tram carriage to free the man, Transport for NSW coordinator-general Howard Collins said. "Emergency services have provided medical care, but unfortunately, that male was pronounced deceased at this stage." The death comes after a teenage girl died after getting trapped under a tram in Sydney's CBD in 2023. Clear signage is at the station to stop people from walking on tram lines, Mr Collins said. "It is important to understand that there are warning signs, both in English and also a pictorial sign, clearly advising people," he said. "The operator will work with the regulator to ensure that if there are any recommendations, we'll act upon this." Passengers on board at the time and rail staff are being offered support services, Mr Collins added. Light rail services are running as normal after halting for a number of hours. An inner-city passenger has died after attempting to walk between two light-rail carriages, authorities say. The man in his 40s died at the scene after crossing tram lines, before getting lodged under a tram departing a stop at Surry Hills in Sydney on Thursday afternoon. An investigation has begun but police are not treating the death as suspicious. "We've spoken to a number of witnesses, and that initial CCTV review at this stage (shows) he was waiting on the platform and then stepped off to try and cross the tramway between the carriages," NSW Police Inspector Anderson Lessing said. "That'll form our report to the coroner ... it appears to be a set of tragic circumstances on the platform." A police rescue operation lifted the tram carriage to free the man, Transport for NSW coordinator-general Howard Collins said. "Emergency services have provided medical care, but unfortunately, that male was pronounced deceased at this stage." The death comes after a teenage girl died after getting trapped under a tram in Sydney's CBD in 2023. Clear signage is at the station to stop people from walking on tram lines, Mr Collins said. "It is important to understand that there are warning signs, both in English and also a pictorial sign, clearly advising people," he said. "The operator will work with the regulator to ensure that if there are any recommendations, we'll act upon this." Passengers on board at the time and rail staff are being offered support services, Mr Collins added. Light rail services are running as normal after halting for a number of hours. An inner-city passenger has died after attempting to walk between two light-rail carriages, authorities say. The man in his 40s died at the scene after crossing tram lines, before getting lodged under a tram departing a stop at Surry Hills in Sydney on Thursday afternoon. An investigation has begun but police are not treating the death as suspicious. "We've spoken to a number of witnesses, and that initial CCTV review at this stage (shows) he was waiting on the platform and then stepped off to try and cross the tramway between the carriages," NSW Police Inspector Anderson Lessing said. "That'll form our report to the coroner ... it appears to be a set of tragic circumstances on the platform." A police rescue operation lifted the tram carriage to free the man, Transport for NSW coordinator-general Howard Collins said. "Emergency services have provided medical care, but unfortunately, that male was pronounced deceased at this stage." The death comes after a teenage girl died after getting trapped under a tram in Sydney's CBD in 2023. Clear signage is at the station to stop people from walking on tram lines, Mr Collins said. "It is important to understand that there are warning signs, both in English and also a pictorial sign, clearly advising people," he said. "The operator will work with the regulator to ensure that if there are any recommendations, we'll act upon this." Passengers on board at the time and rail staff are being offered support services, Mr Collins added. Light rail services are running as normal after halting for a number of hours.
