Courtroom confusion over the real name of Ali Bilal has forced prosecutors to drop steroid charges against his alias, Tony Soprano.
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Ali Bilal, 41, faced the Magistrates Court today on three charges relating to steroid possession.
Police allege Bilal was in possession of three types of steroids, with each charge carrying a maximum penalty of six months imprisonment or a $5500 fine.
But the court ran into problems when it was discovered his alias, Tony Soprano, was charged with same offences, and was also due to appear in the ACT Magistrates Court today.
The confusion arose, the court heard, because Bilal had legally changed his name to Tony Soprano, but more recently changed it back to Ali Bilal.
Prosecutors had charged both Bilal and Soprano with three counts of steroid possession.
They were forced to drop the charges against Tony Soprano, when Bilal’s lawyer assured the court “it is Ali Bilal”.
Bilal will face the ACT Magistrates Court again in April next year.
