Omar Salma, a 21-year-old from Roxburgh Park, is set to receive a firm warning when he is sentenced for sneaking a loaded firearm into a packed Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) during an AFL match between Collingwood and Carlton in April, which drew over 82,000 spectators. Salma appeared at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court, facing multiple charges including firearm offences and committing an indictable offence while on bail. He admitted guilt after police discovered the weapon.
Magistrate Brett Sonnet rejected any suggestions of avoiding incarceration, citing Salma’s extensive criminal record developed over the past three years. Salma’s defence lawyer, Emma Turnbull, explained that prior to this period, he had no criminal history, attributing his subsequent decline to trauma from losing two siblings and developing substance abuse issues. While acknowledging his actions as “reckless, foolish and regrettable,” Ms Turnbull highlighted the drastic change in Salma’s life post-2022.
The court also heard that Salma had prior charges including affray, leading Mr Sonnet to describe his lifestyle as reminiscent of a “low-level gangster.” He expressed concern over the troubling trend in Victoria where individuals believe it is acceptable to bring loaded firearms into public venues like the MCG. Mr Sonnet stressed the need for a clear message: the court would impose severe punishment on anyone who thinks it is permissible to carry firearms in public spaces.
The police prosecutor reinforced this sentiment, insisting that the community must be reassured that serious consequences follow such actions, regardless of intent. This is vital to discourage similar behaviours in the future. Ms Turnbull argued that her client should receive a substantial discount for quickly resolving the case, to which the magistrate acknowledged Salma’s guilty plea would certainly be factored into his sentencing.
Having been in custody for 151 days, Omar Salma is scheduled to return to court on Friday for his sentencing. The case has highlighted significant public safety concerns regarding firearms in crowded venues, and the legal system’s intention to treat such offences with the seriousness they warrant.