Two Melbourne men have pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from the alleged gang rape and imprisonment of a 14-year-old girl. Mohamed Hafda, 23, and Massimo Salerno, 22, entered their pleas in the Melbourne Magistrates' Court on Friday.
Salerno, appearing via video link from the Metropolitan Remand Centre, denied 14 indictable charges. Hafda, who appeared in person, also pleaded not guilty to 14 indictable charges. Both men received alibi cautions as their cases were transferred to the Melbourne County Court, a venue that handles significant sex crime caseloads.
Investigators allege the sexual assaults occurred in Coburg in September 2023. Charges were laid in January of this year after the matter was reported to police. Detectives from the Fawkner Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation Team are leading the case. The charges include allegations of sexual assault, penetration, and causing the victim to engage in sexual contact without her consent.
Hafda, who is currently on bail for these charges, also faces a separate accusation of supplying drugs to the child. Salerno, who had previously been granted bail for these offenses, was later remanded over unrelated alleged crimes.
During a previous court hearing, Hafda's father reportedly clashed with a freelance photographer outside the courthouse. The father allegedly confronted the photographer, stating he did not have permission to take pictures of his son. When informed that permission was not required for photographing individuals leaving court, the father and son attempted to conceal their faces while the son hurried away from the precinct.
Salerno, from South Morang, was remanded to face the County Court at a later date. Hafda, from Lalor, had his bail extended to appear in court again.