A NSW court is deliberating if "one of the most hated people in Australia", Sydney businessman Salim Mehajer, should have his conviction quashed for assaulting a journalist.
The former Auburn deputy mayor was found guilty of assault after slamming a car door on the arm of Seven Network reporter Laura Banks as he tried to leave a Sydney police station in April 2017.
At a hearing in Downing Centre District Court on Wednesday, Judge Graham Turnbull said the media pack that pursued Mehajer meant the assault occurred under the most "remarkable, unique and disturbing" conditions for a man leaving a police station.
His lawyer, Zali Burrows, told the court: "Mehajer is probably one of the most hated people in Australia and then he's hounded by a media pack."
Disgraced Sydney businessman Salim Mehajer is attempting to have his conviction for assaulting a journalist overturned. Source: AAP
"He was trapped ... there was no way out," she added.
Mehajer, 32, appeared in court via video link. He's currently behind bars for trying to influence a local government election.
The former Auburn deputy mayor was found guilty of assault after slamming a car door on the arm of Seven Network reporter Laura Banks. Source: AAP
Judge Turnbull is expected to hand down his judgment on Friday.
