Latest news with #Balodis
1News
29-07-2025
- 1News
Nephew allegedly murdered relative in his 80s during Sydney home invasion
Failing to locate stacks of cash during a home invasion, a money-hungry masked man fatally beat a relative in his 80s over the head before fleeing the scene, a jury has heard. Kalim Saliba was asleep in his lounge room while his wife Shahidy Saliba watched television in their western Sydney home in the wee hours of April 28, 2020. This peaceful scene was shattered after a masked man broke in just after midnight. Minutes later, the couple - who were both in their 80s - were struck over the head in their Cherrybrook garage with Shahidy losing consciousness and Kalim collapsing to the floor and dying later in hospital. "Where is the money?" the masked man said before attacking the couple, a NSW Supreme Court trial was told on Monday. ADVERTISEMENT Tony Phillip Tadrosse, 60, and Danny Stephen, 35, have both pleaded not guilty to murdering Kalim and assaulting Shahidy while armed and intending to rob and wound her. Stephen is one of the elderly couple's great nephews, and Tadrosse is an extended relative. The pair sat before a jury on Monday as Crown Prosecutor Eric Balodis described how Shahidy and her husband heard someone breaking the glass at the front of their home. They soon saw a masked man with a bag inside, he said. Balodis told the jury there might have been a second person inside the house making noise upstairs and a possible third person in a car driving outside. Two men were charged with the murder of Kalim Saliba. (Source: Supplied) He said while Tadrosse or Stephens weren't identified within the Cherrybrook home, there was a strong circumstantial case they were there at the time. ADVERTISEMENT The motive was financial, Balodis said, with the two men on the lookout for money. Despite not having money in his bank account, Tadrosse called to inquire about getting expensive dental implants the morning before the home invasion, the prosecutor said. It was well-known amongst the extended family Kalim and his wife were old-fashioned with their money, preferring to keep cash in a safe rather than digitally, the jury was told. Tadrosse and Stephens formed a plan to break into the property, knowing one of the occupants could be killed or suffer grievous bodily harm, the prosecutor said. Through this joint criminal enterprise, the pair were guilty of murder, he argued. The Crown's case relies heavily on CCTV footage showing a Hilux and an Audi driving through the streets of Cherrybrook doing "reconnaissance" of the house in the hours before the home invasion. Tadrosse and Stephen had access to these vehicles, Balodis said. ADVERTISEMENT The timing of calls made between phone numbers allegedly belonging to the two co-accused aligned with the events of that night, jurors heard. After returning to his Kings Cross home, Tadrosse tried to establish an alibi by calling the coronavirus hotline and saying he had woken up in a cold sweat, Balodis argued. The morning's headlines in 90 seconds, including the atmospheric river arrives, Epstein's girlfriend pushes for appeal, and Jennifer Lopez's wardrobe malfunction. (Source: Breakfast) Both men deny any involvement in the events of that tragic night. "Danny Stephen didn't murder Kalim Saliba or injure his wife Shahidy," defence barrister Karl Prince said. Tadrosse's barrister Madeleine Avenell SC said there was no doubt the home invasion was a "terrible incident" with a "terrible outcome". However, her client also rejected allegations he was there. If the more serious charges can't be proven, the jury can consider alternative charges of manslaughter and assault with intent to rob. The trial continues on Tuesday.
The Courier
11-06-2025
- Sport
- The Courier
Daniels Balodis gives St Johnstone stay hint as Victor Griffith shines for Panama
Daniels Balodis has given a hint that he intends to stay at St Johnstone for their Championship promotion bid. After being part of the Perth club's relegation from the top-flight, the central defender has enjoyed a successful international break with his country. Balodis started both Latvia's game – a 0-0 friendly draw with Azerbaijan and then a 1-1 World Cup qualifying draw against Albania on Tuesday night. The 27-year-old impressed in both. Asked what the future holds for him, Balodis answered: 'It's early June now. 'I'll return to Scotland at the end of the month, but right now I just want to rest and enjoy a short break. 'It's been a long and challenging season.' Balodis isn't the only Saints player to enjoy a successful time in national colours. Adama Sidibeh scored a double for Gambia, while Victor Griffith played the full 90 minutes in Panama's World Cup qualifier against Nicaragua, winning 3-0. He will now take part in the Concacaf Gold Cup finals. Of the three foreign players who signed for Saints in January, Balodis adapted quickest and best to Scottish football, with Griffith and Jonathan Svedberg hampered by injuries as they sought to hit the ground running. There are high hopes that all three will benefit from having a better grasp of the game here in their second season. The start of the Premier Sports Cup is still a month away but, as of now, Courier Sport understands that none of those three players have given any indication they are seeking to leave Saints.
The Courier
14-05-2025
- Sport
- The Courier
Uche Ikpeazu urged to remind Hearts fans how effective he can be with St Johnstone
Daniels Balodis knows how challenging it is to shackle St Johnstone team-mate, Uche Ikpeazu, on the training ground. He's got a broken nose to show for it. And the Latvian international is hoping the powerful forward's old club, Hearts, get a taste of Saints' new-found frontline physicality. 'Uche is a strong striker,' said Balodis. 'He helps our style a lot. 'It's hard to play against him and I'm happy we have him in our team now. 'He is making it hard for other defenders, creating some chances for us and getting some moments. 'It's an important game against Hearts and hopefully he can score for us against them. 'He was very apologetic to me when my nose was broken. 'I just said: 'No worries.' It's part of the game and it happens. I know that he didn't want to break my nose! 'It was just unlucky.' The medical advice to Balodis was for him to wear a mask in matches for a few weeks. But the centre-back decided one game, the Scottish Cup semi-final against Celtic, was enough for him. 'I didn't like it,' he said. 'It might have been a little bit risky to play without it for a while but I prefer that I can give every concentration for the game. 'So, I chose not to play with it on. 'There is the vision aspect, and also just the feeling on your face – it's not quite right. 'You cannot head the ball totally properly with the mask. 'Headers are very important for me. 'There have been some moments when it has been a bit sore. 'I got one in the mouth just below my nose. It was a hard kick, against Motherwell. 'It hurt but luckily it wasn't my nose.' As the last fit centre-half available to Simo Valakari, Balodis knows that there is extra responsibility on his shoulders to keep the players not used to the position right. 'Of course, I am trying to help every team-mate who is on the pitch,' he said. 'The whole team is working hard to defend, not just defenders but midfielders and strikers. 'That's football these days. 'It's a dirty job, it's hard work but it's so important for the team. 'We got the job done on Saturday and we have kept it going. 'Now we have the next job to get done. 'Everything is coming at us quickly and we are looking forward to it. 'We have to think the same way as before – in every game we go for the win. 'We need these points.' That Saints have sold out their full allocation of tickets for this game shows that they haven't lost faith in the great escape. 'The fans are unbelievable,' said Balodis. 'We can feel their support in this hard situation. 'In the last game, it helped us get the result that we needed. 'It is our aim that together we will get another good result.'
BBC News
07-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Saints trio picked in TOTW
St Johnstone gave their Premiership survival hopes an enormous boost with a shock win over league-leaders Celtic at McDiarmid Park on have three players in my team of the week as a Andy Fisher exuded confidence and capability at the heart of a resolute performance. A number of vital interventions to keep Celtic Balodis gets the nod over Zach Mitchell - who was also superb - due to his match-winning goal. Mr Versatility Drey Wright also makes it. He played as part of an impressive back three against Celtic and was superb. Sticking him in as a wing-back here.
