The criminal trial of two former Bankstown Hospital nurses charged with using a carriage service to menace, harass or offend is expected to be pushed back until 2027, after the Crown submitted an expert report at the last minute, prompting a dispute over adequate preparation time.
Sydney nurses' trial over alleged threats to Israeli patients delayed after late expert report
The criminal trial of two former Bankstown Hospital nurses charged with using a carriage service to menace, harass or offend is expected to be pushed back until 2027, after the Crown submitted an expert report at the last minute, prompting a dispute over adequate preparation time.
Sarah Abu Lebdeh and Ahmad Rashad Nadir were due to stand trial on August 31, 2026, but that date was vacated on Thursday after the Crown served a report compiled by Middle East analyst Dr Rodger Shanahan, according to Mr Nadir's lawyer, Zemarai Khatiz.
Khatiz said the report was dated May 31 and provided to the defence on August 5. He said the defence had not had sufficient time to assess the report before it would be used as evidence and would need to retain its own expert. 'We have to obtain our expert in order to address the matters in the report,' he said. 'It will probably take between two and three months for us to obtain our own expert.' Dr Shanahan is also expected to be called as a witness at trial.
The pair were charged after Israeli content creator Max Ilinsky, who goes by Max Veifer online, filmed them on the cam-chat app Chatroulette allegedly making threats against Israeli patients at Bankstown Hospital. The footage drew international attention when it emerged in February 2025. Both nurses have pleaded not guilty and were sacked following the incident.
The video was ruled admissible last month after previously being excluded on the grounds it was improperly obtained and breached privacy laws. The matter will next be heard at Parramatta District Court on August 21, 2026, when a new trial date is expected to be set.
- The source does not state the Crown's position on the timing of the expert report's submission or any response to the defence's characterisation of it as last-minute.
- The source does not describe the content or findings of Dr Rodger Shanahan's expert report.
- The source does not state whether Abu Lebdeh's legal representatives made separate submissions regarding the delay.
- The source does not state what specific comments the pair allegedly made in the filmed footage.
- The source does not confirm whether the August 21 hearing date was set by a judge or agreed by the parties.
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