Tarek Assaad, 32, bought Glock and 30 rounds of ammo because associates of his murdered brother warn

THE brother of slain crime figure Hamad Assaad armed himself with a Glock handgun and almost 30 rounds of ammunition over fears he would be gunned down like his brother, a court has heard.

In an affidavit tendered to Burwood Local Court, Tarek Assaad, 32, said an associate of his late brother warned him about a revenge attack, prompting him to get a gun, which had the serial number “obliterated” from it.

Assaad pleaded guilty today to possessing an unregistered and prohibited firearm and possessing ammunition without a permit.

His lawyer asked the court to consider not sending him to jail at his sentencing hearing today.

Assaad was arrested in November last year following raids by the Middle Eastern Organised Crime Squad after his brother, Hamad Assaad, was gunned down in a hail of bullets in the driveway of his Georges Hall home.

Hamad Assaad, the notorious hitman, was linked to a number of gangland murders including the brazen execution of crime kingpin Walid “Wally” Ahmad in April 2016 and the attempted murder of Maha Hamze, the 45-year-old aunt of Bassam Hamzy, a Supermax inmate and founder of notorious street gang Brothers 4 Life.

MEOCS officers found a loaded handgun hidden inside a TV cabinet at Tarek Assaad’s home along with a spare magazine with torch mount in his bedroom and a bag of ammunition in his car.

Defence lawyer Elise Rahme pleaded that his client, who had served more than two months in jail and was currently assisting police with ongoing investigations, should not be sent to jail.

“The events, which were not in his control, put him in a vulnerable state. He was sleep-deprived and quite depressed,” Mr Rahme said in court.

“His brother’s associates suggested he could have been next.”

Mr Rahme also said his client had recently started a new company, Tiab Wedding Cars, which offers betrothed couples the chance to hire Lamborghinis and other luxury cars for their special day.

A Facebook page linked to the company shows off the cars for hire.

Mr Rahme said it was evidence Assaad was trying to put the charges behind him.

Crown prosecutor Katrina Parker said the nature of the offences demanded serious consideration of jail time.

“The maximum penalties that can apply here range up to 14 years,” she said.

“It is a strong prosecution case. I don’t think your honour should be swayed by the self-serving evidence of an affidavit.”

Magistrate George Breton agreed.

“On a criminal scale they are both very serious offences,” he said in court.

“I cannot make a decision on this day due to the serious nature so I must adjourn the matter to consider it fully.”

It is believed Assaad became estranged from his wife in early 2016, they have two children.

Assaad remains on bail and he is due to be sentenced next Wednesday.

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