Star of cult Aussie comedy ‘Here Comes the Habibs’ is awarded huge $454,000 payout over assault

After seeking compensation for the loss of two teeth in a blow, one man’s decision to attack an actor and his family has cost him around half a million dollars.

Here Come the Habibs star Sam Alhaje, 30, was at his western Sydney home with his family on January 24, 2021, when an aggressive Mohammad Elassaad entered the property and began the physical attack.

Mr Elassaad lived down the road from the house in Greenacre.

The quantitative analyst had had an argument with Mr Alhaje’s brother in the early evening of December 31, 2020, during which he suffered a bleeding mouth and lip.

Sam Alhaje (photo) was with his family on January 24, 2021 when an aggressive Mohammad Elassaad entered the property and started the physical attack

He was seen missing two front teeth when he arrived at Mr Alhaje’s house at midnight that evening, seeking $7,000 to cover future dental work.

When negotiations collapsed in the coming weeks, Mr Elassaad then made his ill-fated journey to confront the Alhajes again on January 24.

Mr Alhaje – who played Toufic Habib in comedy The Nine – suffered facial injuries after being punched twice in the face and was taken to Bankstown Hospital for treatment.

The 30-year-old then sued for damages in the NSW Supreme Court in August 2021.

On Thursday, Acting Judge Michael Elkaim rejected Mr Elassaad’s claims that he acted in self-defence, finding the punches were deliberate, forceful and intended to cause injury.

“Despite his claims that he was ambushed and wanted to get away, Mr. Elassaad did not do so but continued his aggressive approach,” the judge wrote.

‘Although under the pretense of acting in self-defence, (Mr Elassaad) had a 100 per cent success rate on the two punches he threw.’

Judge Elkaim awarded the actor $454,340 to cover general damages, past and future economic losses and medical expenses.

Sam Alhaje (pictured right), who played Toufic Habib, was punched twice in the face

This also included aggravated damages due to Mr Elassaad’s ‘idiosyncratic, excessive’ behavior.

However, the court refused to give Mr Alhaje $23,000 for a future rhinoplasty procedure, also known as a rhinoplasty, after determining that the proposed surgery was unrelated to the attack.

A decision on whether Mr Elassaad will have to cover the actor’s legal costs will be made at a later date.