By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
AN ALLEGED illicit drug trafficker who held police at bay for five hours during a siege in Hampton Park has alleged that battery acid was poured on his buttocks by a bikie gang member.
Police informant Detective Senior Constable Rebecca Maiden, of Casey CIU, told a court bail hearing on Monday that Daniel Saab, 22, was remanded in custody after allegedly threatening to kill and falsely imprisoning a close relative.
Det Sen Const Maiden alleged Saab had argued with a close relative about money, punched her arm and kicked her while forbidding her to leave her lounge room for several hours on 24 September.
The victim was told by Saab that “you’re dead” if she left or called the police, the court heard.
The mother eventually convinced Saab to release her to buy him cigarettes.
She did not return to the address, but reported the incident to police.
About 9.15am the next day, Saab’s cousin visited outside the home’s locked front gate and heard a single gunshot fired inside.
After an ensuing five-hour police siege, Saab surrendered in an observably drug-affected state, Dandenong Magistrates’ Court was told.
Inside the house, police found a black imitation firearm, a knife, a firearm butt, a deal bag containing three grams of amphetamines, and unknown tablets believed to be a drug of dependence.
Saab had been on bail at the time to face the County Court in April over eight offences involving an alleged Doveton clandestine laboratory on 30 July, the court heard.
He was also to face a charge of contravening a community corrections order in January.
Since being in custody, Saab had been in hospital receiving skin grafts for his wounds, his lawyer told the court.
The lawyer alleged Saab had been recently assaulted with battery acid by a “bikie in the drug culture” prior to the siege.
During last weekend, Saab provided a statement to police about the alleged assault in an effort to “stand up to the person who assaulted him”.
The accused wanted to extract himself from the drug scene and his ice and amphetamine addiction, the lawyer said.
Magistrate Julie O’Donnell warned the lawyer such matters should be sealed and handed up to the court.
“There’s press in here today.”
In considering bail, Ms O’Donnell said the accused had an “extensive history” of “extraordinarily serious charges”.
“He seems to be actively involved in the drug industry and perhaps not just a user of drugs”.
She said it was unusual that family members were prepared to fund Saab’s long-term rehabilitation.
“Generally I’d refuse bail but I have to say that his age has to be a factor here. It’s bail here, and not sentencing, and it’s all about risk.
“No-one can say there’s no risk but the risk is somewhat mitigated by the treatment program the family proposes.”
Saab was bailed on condition of reporting weekly to police, complying with a family violence intervention order, residing at a specific address and not using illicit drugs.
Star News has chosen not to reveal Saab’s bailed address.
He was bailed to appear in court on 7 December.
