An Italian restaurant owner allegedly assaulted a 74-year-old businessman in a fiery dispute over unpaid rent, a court heard.
Bajram Jusufi, who owns Baci in Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast, has been charged with allegedly assaulting Joseph Ahn.
He shoved the elderly Korean man so hard in the neck that he fell over and had to be rushed to hospital, a court heard.
An Italian restaurant owner allegedly assaulted a 74-year-old businessman in a fiery dispute over unpaid rent, a court heard. Pictured: The scene of the alleged assault
Jusufi rented an area on the waterfront from Mr Ahn for three months with a view to transforming it into a coffee and ice cream shop, Southport Magistrates Court heard on Friday.
He took the lease on November 1 and spent thousands doing up the property.
But a month later, Mr Ahn confronted Jusufi and demanded $450 unpaid rent and the agreed deposit, the court heard, according to the Gold Coast Bulletin.
A day later, Mr Ahn fronted Jusufi and the the man attacked him in the street, the court heard.
Mr Ahn claimed Jusufi threatened him and told him not to call the police because he would need to stay on good terms with him if he wanted to do business in the Gold Coast.
Jusufi’s defence claimed this threat was never made and Mr Ahn was lying.
The court heard witnesses said they saw Mr Ahn being assaulted and found him covered in blood at the scene.
The trial was adjourned and has been listed for a mention on Thursday.
Jusufi rented an area on the waterfront from Mr Ahn for three months with a view to transforming it into a coffee and ice cream shop, Southport Magistrates Court (pictured) heard
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