Illegal refugee given bail despite AVO breach
A refugee who allegedly threatened and chased his pregnant girlfriend despite her having an Apprehended Violence Order out against him has been given bail.
Shahram Niknam, who arrived in Australia illegally by boat in 2013, allegedly stalked and intimidated Acsa Zulman Chow Chow before being arrested last Sunday.
The 28-year-old allegedly waited outside the supermarket where his partner works after calling and messaging her 49 times, The Daily Telegraph reported.
A refugee (pictured) who allegedly threatened and chased his pregnant girlfriend despite her having an Apprehended Violence Order out against him has been given bail
Shahram Niknam (pictured), who arrived in Australia illegally by boat in 2013, allegedly stalked and intimidated Acsa Zulman Chow Chow before being arrested last Sunday
'I will do something bad to you and you will never see your baby again,' he allegedly told her earlier at their home in Penrith, in Sydney's west, a court was told.
'I will leave you as a vegetable and you won't be able to leave your house ever,' Parramatta Bail Court heard Niknam said to his partner before she started her shift.
Police claim Niknam, an unemployed painter, then tried to force his way into Ms Chow Chow's locked car, and then followed her in his own car.
Ms Chow Chow drove to St Marys Police Station but when she stopped at traffic lights Nikram allegedly got out of his car and yelled at her.
Police Prosecutor Senior Sergeant Craig Pullen opposed bail, noting Niknam (pictured) was fined $600 after being convicted of breaching a previous AVO on September 5
He was arrested at the scene and charged with stalking and intimidating Ms Chow Chow and contravening an AVO.
Registrar Ross Lawton granted Niknam bail, as the refugee had only two previous convictions, and was unlikely to be sentenced to full-time custody if convicted on the new charges.
Police Prosecutor Senior Sergeant Craig Pullen opposed bail, noting Niknam was fined $600 after being convicted of breaching a previous AVO on September 5.
Niknam (pictured) has been ordered not to come within 200 metres of Ms Chow Chow, her home or her workplace and his case has been adjourned until next week
Niknam's bridging visa has been cancelled by the federal government, and he is being held in Villawood Detention Centre.
'The Australian government takes seriously its responsibility to protect the Australian community from the risk of harm posed by non-citizens who engage in criminal conduct or behaviour of concern,' said an Immigration Department spokesman.
He has been ordered not to come within 200 metres of Ms Chow Chow, her home or her workplace and his case has been adjourned until next week.