Take 3: Return of the Rogue Trader

I have previously written about the rogue trader, Mr Khourey. A few months ago, this despicable man assaulted his tenant in front of her special-needs son while trying to illegally evict them both. The rent was paid and the premises were undamaged, yet Mr Khourey brutally beat up on Audrey, not just once, but three times on the one day. The police arrested him on Friday the 5th of April that same day. The NSW Police organised a personal protection order for Audrey and Ben straightaway. 

But Mr Khourey was released on bail the day after. He went to Audrey’s home as soon as he was released. Police attended the scene and warned him he was in breach of bail conditions. But Mr Khourey was not content. He returned to Audrey’s home again on Monday the 8th of April just a few days after the original assault. The power went so Audrey went to check with her neighbours if their electricity was on.

Mr Khourey was hiding behind the front door and locked her out of her unit. He had cut the power. Audrey ran to the front window to climb into her unit. He came up and belted her across the face and slammed the window shut. She sought safety at a neighbour’s place and called the cops for help. It is clear that Mr Khourey’s bail conditions or the personal protection order did not protect Audrey when she needed it the most.

So what happened next? The cops came and arrested Mr Khourey again. He was charged with numerous offences including breach of bail, assaulting police, and resisting arrest. Despite his erratic behaviour, the NSW Magistrate Court granted bail yet again. But this time he wasn’t released from custody until Thursday the 11th of April. He got to cool his heels the Silverwater Correctional Centre for a few days. Audrey took this video of the NSW Police trying to arrest Mr Khourey.

These going-ons did not deter Mr Khourey from doing drive-bys in cars borrowed from friends and family. He also tried to run over a friend of Audrey’s who was standing out the front of the unit. Unbelievable. And he somehow managed to cut the power to the entire building again. In the mean time, Mr Khourey’s friends and family tried to bully Audrey into dropping her complaints. They approached Audrey with bribes of up to $2000. Like that could compensate for Audrey’s fear throughout this entire ordeal. They also locked Audrey out of her home numerous times. On each occasion, the NSW Police spoke with Mr Khourey’s associates and warned them not to interfere with witnesses. It is abundantly clear the law means nothing to Mr Khourey or his associates. Audrey shot this video of a friend of Mr Khourey's trying to intimidate her into leaving.

You would be glad to know Audrey and Ben have found alternate accommodation. The new place is safe and clean. The search took some time, given the current state of the housing market. Audrey says this was compounded by the fact she is a single mother with a special-needs child. And of course, she could not supply a rental reference from Mr Khourey. In her hunt, Audrey also encountered many requests for unsecured cash bonds. This is worrying.

Audrey initially sought the assistance of the NSW Department of Housing. She informed them of the circumstances. At first they didn’t want to help because ‘technically’ she and Ben were not homeless. The NSW Department of Housing later changed their mind. Considering the circumstances, clearly this was the right decision. A parallel can be drawn with a situation involving domestic violence. This is violence related to the home of a very specific kind. Despite all these events, Mr Khourey is still renting out properties. He is advertising privately through Gumtree. Mr Khourey does not provide his name, he only provides details of the property.

This man is far from a model landlord. Pretty much as far as you could get. There is no doubt in my mind that this landlord should not be allowed to rent out properties to an unsuspecting public. He is a dangerous man. This lunatic needs to be stopped. And who should do this?