Mother with health issues wins release on bail in fraud case, mixed emotions present

Ms I’Lache said she has an offer of employment if granted bail – she would also care for two of her children who are experiencing health issues.

During the hearing, Justice Rebecca Treston highlighted the complexities surrounding the case, attributing the prolonged detention to various factors including the splitting of the charges into separate trials, causing delays in the legal proceedings.

Justice Treston also noted that there was substantial evidence suggesting that Ms. I’Lache had used multiple aliases and possessed and utilized passports from Australia, New Zealand, and Lebanon in her travels.

“It is perfectly understandable in the early proceedings her risk of flight might have been considered much more significant … Lebanon does not have a bilateral extradition treaty … but the fact of the matter is she has now spent two years and four months in jail,” the justice said.

“That is a significant amount of time for a woman in her sixties. It seems to me that she is at very real risk for having spent too much time in custody.”

Treston granted Ms I’Lache bail with strict conditions, including regularly reporting to her local police station; she is also prevented from applying for any new passports and going within two kilometres of an airport terminal. 

Ms I’Lache’s children told 9News they were looking forward to giving their mother a hug – describing the bail decision as “bittersweet”.

“It’s the words I’ve been wanting to hear for the past 2½ years,” Mr I’Lache said. 

“I’m happy for her but there is sadness for all the time that’s passed,” Omari said. 

“We will feel whole again having her there [back home] with us. I think there will be a lot of tears.”

A trial is listed for the fraud charges later this month, with a separate trial for the passport offence set to take place later this year.