October 30th 2024.
Mick Gatto, a well-known figure in the underworld, can now breathe a sigh of relief as the charges of extortion and blackmail against him have been withdrawn by the prosecutors. This news came as a surprise after the charges were initially brought forth by restaurateur Jamal Mohammad in a private prosecution back in February. Mohammad claimed that Gatto, who is 69 years old, had been threatening and assaulting him for over 20 years.
Gatto was facing a total of 10 charges, including extortion with a threat to kill, blackmail, assault, and possession of firearms. The case had caused quite a stir, with people eagerly following the updates. However, the Office of Public Prosecutions (OPP) took over the case in September and made a sudden move to withdraw all charges on Wednesday morning at the Melbourne Magistrates Court. It was not immediately clear why the OPP had a change of heart and decided not to pursue the case further.
During the hearing, prosecutor Louis Andrews did not provide any explanation for the OPP's decision. Gatto's barrister, Martin Amad, then requested for costs against both the OPP and Mohammad. It was a bold move, and it remains to be seen how the OPP will respond to this request. Mohammad was not present at the court, but Andrews stated that the OPP would oppose the application for costs. Magistrate Brett Sonnet reserved his decision on the costs and instead gave the parties 28 days to come to an agreement.
If the parties are unable to reach an agreement, they will have to return to court for a contested hearing. This unexpected turn of events has left many people puzzled, and speculations are rife. In times like these, it is essential to stay updated, and our WhatsApp channel is the perfect way to do so. Join our channel to stay informed about the latest news, celebrity updates, and sports news without any comments or algorithms. Your privacy is our top priority, and nobody can see your private details. Stay connected with us and never miss a beat.
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