NSW: Extradited truck driver refused bail

AAP General News (Australia)
08-19-2000
NSW: Extradited truck driver refused bail

SYDNEY, Aug 17 AAP - A truck driver extradited to Sydney from Canada to face manslaughter
charges over a fatal road smash earlier this year was today refused bail in a Sydney Court.

Mosleh Hanna Mekhael, 27, a Canadian citizen, faced a special sitting of Parramatta
Bail Court this afternoon charged over the death of 11-month-old Scott Steele during the
April road smash.

A court spokesman said Mekhael had applied for bail, which was refused, during an almost
two-hour hearing this afternoon.

The truck driver, from Punchbowl in Sydney's west, was remanded in custody to appear
at Manly Local Court on Monday morning.

Police said Mekhael had been served with warrants relating to manslaughter, dangerous
driving occasioning death, dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, negligent
driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, negligent driving causing death and conspiracy
to pervert the course of justice.

He was arrested by Canadian authorities at Ottawa International Airport early last
Sunday while waiting to board a flight to Venezuela.

After his flight docked at Sydney Airport today he was whisked away under tight police security.

The charges relate to a multi-vehicle crash in Dee Why on Sydney's northern beaches
in April this year in which a child died.

AAP jo/cjh/bwl

KEYWORD: MEKHAEL NIGHTLEAD

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