'I swear by Allah's name we will die today': Engineer, 44, who was jailed for bashing his first wife admits to hitting his second spouse with a metal object after her Centrelink payments were refused
- Houssein Hawli, 44, had previously served time for assaulting his first wife
- When Hawli was released he flew to Lebanon where he met his second wife
- On Monday he pleaded guilty to four assaults between June 2015 and May 2016
- Hawli confessed to repeatedly bashing his second bride with a metal object
A Muslim engineer with a shocking history of violence against his first wife has admitted to choking his second bride with an electrical cord.
Houssein Hawli, from Glenroy in Melbourne's north, once told his second wife that he would break her back so she could never play with her son again.
The court heard how Hawli, 44, had been jailed in 2011 for 22 months after he bashed his first wife with a pair of high heels and whipped her legs with cabling, Fairfax reported.
When the now 44-year-old was released from prison, he flew to Lebanon where he met his second wife, who was subjected to horrific attacks soon after they returned to Australia.
When the now 44-year-old was released from jail, he flew to Lebanon where he met his second wife (right)
Hawli faced the County Court of Victoria on Monday, where he pleaded guilty to four assaults between June 2015 and May 2016, and to breaching multiple apprehended violence orders
Hawli faced the County Court of Victoria on Monday, where he pleaded guilty to four assaults between June 2015 and May 2016, and to breaching multiple apprehended violence orders.
According to Fairfax, Hawli showed little emotion during his guilty plea.
Hawli confessed to repeatedly bashing his second bride with a metal object back in April 2016, when Centrelink refused her application for welfare.
The following month, Hawli forced his wife into his black BMW and threatened to burn the car so they would both die.
'I swear by Allah's name I will burn the damn car and we will die today,' he said.
Despite taking her to hospital for her injuries, Hawli lied to staff and said his wife had been abducted and attacked by strangers.
Hawli also dragged her into the shower before violently whipping her with an electrical cord.
Hawli hold a degree in aeronautical engineering and would occasionally post photos of his Lamborghini
This is the second time Hawli had faced serious family charges, following his sentencing to a minimum of 22 months in jail, in 2011 for assaulting his first wife
Hawli holds a degree in aeronautical engineering and would occasionally post photos of his Lamborghini to social media.
The court heard how Hawli's relationship with his second wife started to deteriorate in 2014.
She is now suffering from post traumatic stress disorder, depression and chronic physical pain from the assaults.
Hawli's plea hearing is to be continued in March with his defence barrister to bring forward more evidence about his mental condition.
