Jail for 'agitated' man who fired gun in cafe after marriage dispute
A man who fired two shots inside a Melbourne cafe, following an argument about whether Christians and Muslims should marry, has been jailed for a year.
Nasser El Kheir, then 55, was kicked out of the Babylon Coffee Shop at Broadmeadows – located diagonally opposite his home – in June last year.
"An argument started between you and a number of patrons about marriage between Christians and Muslims. You became highly agitated, gesticulating and yelling," County Court Judge Gabriele Cannon said while sentencing on Tuesday.
El Kheir was escorted from the cafe by the owner and his brother, but returned five minutes later with a black handgun that he produced from his jacket.
During the 40-second episode, the "heavily intoxicated" El Kheir fired two shots, one hitting a ceiling beam and the other near a table where patrons were sitting.
At least 14 people were inside the cafe, but no one was injured.
El Kheir handed himself in to police almost a week later.
"Your offending is most serious," Judge Cannon said.
"And your conduct must be denounced.
"I viewed the CCTV footage of this incident and it makes for terrifying viewing."
El Kheir previously pleaded guilty to conduct endangering life and being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm.
He was sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment, of which he has already served 308 days.
Upon his release from prison, El Kheir will undergo a two-year community corrections order, during which he must not be within 100 metres of the Babylon Coffee Shop.
AAP