A former high-flying real estate executive has been found guilty of stealing a taxi and driving it while drunk after a judge rubbished claims that he acted out of fear for his life.
Brett Henson,42,was charged after taking off with the vehicle about 9pm on November 4,2022 following a night at Sydney's Ivy nightspot. He abandoned the damaged car in Woollahra,in the city's east.
Henson pleaded not guilty in court,arguing he stole the vehicle because he was being pursued by the taxi driver,Sayeed Ali Khan,and a group of men after a dispute erupted when he broke the taxi's door handle.
Henson claimed the group of men called themselves the 'Muslim Brotherhood' and were attempting to kill him. He claimed they began chasing him after taking Mr Khan's side.
But Magistrate Gregory Moore rejected Henson's claims in Sydney Downing Centre Local Court on Monday - finding him guilty of stealing a vehicle and drink driving.
'I do not accept the accused was forced to drive the vehicle because of those threats,' Mr Moore said,according to The Sydney Morning Herald.
CCTV footage released by police allegedly shows Mr Henson stealing a taxi in Sydney's CBD in November,2022
Mr Henson managed to get away from the group and jumped into the taxi.
He told the court that he was terrified of the group so he drove through multiple red lights before he finally stopped at an intersection in the eastern suburbs.
When asked by his lawyer what was going through his head,Mr Henson said: 'These guys are going to kill me.
'I would be a victim of a king hit and my family would be up here instead of me being here today explaining.'
However,Mr Khan gave evidence that Henson was 'aggressive and shouting' and had said 'Do you want to fight with me?'
Mr Henson was reportedly a senior capital transactions manager for property developing giant Mirvac at the time of the offence and owns a $3.3m house in Bronte.
The former prominent real estate figure was arrested in late 2022 after photos of the incident were circulated by NSW Police. He is now unemployed.
Henson will be sentenced on June 24.
SydneyAlcohol
