A Perth man who allegedly attacked his neighbours while dressed in a full ninja outfit and heavily armed was under the influence of magic mushrooms, a Western Australian court has been told during a trial that has been described as verging on the bizarre.
Alleged New Year's Eve Incident in Yangebup
Ak Mohammad Hanif Bin Pg Abd Wahab, aged thirty-seven, has gone on trial in the District Court of Western Australia. He faces charges of going armed so as to cause terror and aggravated assault stemming from an incident on New Year's Eve in 2024.
Prosecutor Jennifer Negus outlined the events to the court. She stated that Teresa Urbaniak was walking her dogs in a Yangebup park around 10:40 PM when the accused, who lived just a few doors away, allegedly ran out of the shadows and assaulted her.
Details of the Alleged Attack
The prosecutor described Mr Pg Abd Wahab as being dressed entirely in black, including a balaclava. He was reportedly carrying knuckle dusters and a throwing star, with two sai—a type of Japanese melee weapon—strapped to his wrists.
When Ms Urbaniak ran back to her Sandpiper Loop home to seek help from her husband, Piotr Urbaniak, the accused allegedly followed. A violent struggle between the two men then ensued, according to the prosecution's account.
Mr Pg Abd Wahab was eventually restrained in a citizen's arrest. When police arrived, he reportedly said words to the effect of shoot me in the head. The prosecutor further alleged that he pulled a Taser from an officer's holster and spat numerous times, though he was charged with only one count of assaulting a public officer.
Ms Negus characterised his conduct as an intentional experience of stylised violence.
Defence Claims of Paranoia and Confusion
Defence counsel Tom Percy presented a different narrative, acknowledging the unusual nature of the case. He explained that Mr Pg Abd Wahab had a bad reaction after smoking cannabis and taking probably too much magic mushrooms, which seemingly induced a state of paranoia.
Mr Percy emphasised that his client had an interest in ninja culture and sometimes dressed like one, which alarmed his partner, but there was nothing sinister about it. He asserted that Mr Pg Abd Wahab was not looking for trouble and meant no harm to anyone.
Unintended Scuffle and Misunderstanding
The defence lawyer stated that his client did not know the couple, who were in their sixties. Mr Pg Abd Wahab believed he was being attacked when their German Shepherds ran over unleashed. His balaclava fell over his eyes as he tried to fend off the dogs, leading to an entirely unintended scuffle.
Mr Percy argued that his client followed Ms Urbaniak not to enter her home, but because he was confused and at a loss as to what happened in the park. Security camera footage would allegedly show Mr Pg Abd Wahab being forcefully pulled into the house and very violently dealt with.
Regarding the spitting incident, the defence claimed it was not deliberate. Mr Pg Abd Wahab was reportedly trying to clear his airways of blood and saliva after being injured in the violence, describing it as an entirely reflexive and involuntary act.
Mr Percy also contended that the weapons could not have caused fear as they were not visible under his clothes. He acknowledged that his client accepts he was dressed in a manner that, in hindsight, might have looked menacing, and described the night as a very unfortunate turn of events where Mr Pg Abd Wahab may well be the author of his own misfortune.
The trial continues as the court examines these contrasting accounts of the late-night incident that turned a routine dog walk into chaos.
