Monday 30 July 2012
Paparazzo facing criminal charges for chasing Justin Bieber had previously restraining order for following Heidi Klum
If his career in photography doesn't work out, there's always stunt driving.
Paul Raef, the paparazzo facing criminal charges over a July 6 high-speed chase after Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez, also had a restraining order filed against him two years ago over a high-speed showdown involving Heidi Klum, TMZ.com reported.
The gossip site obtained court papers from the 2010 case in which another photographer claimed Raef attacked him after blaming him for ruining his chance to photograph the supermodel turned "Project Runway" host.
Raef then jumped in his car to chase the rival photographer, weaving through traffic until he could block the other car, according to the lawsuit. He then allegedly leaped out and punched the other paparazzo in the face through an open car window.
The photographer received a temporary restraining order, but never followed up and the case was ultimately dropped.
Raef, however, found himself back in legal hot water after a six-vehicle chase involving Bieber's chrome Fisker Karma hybrid-electric sports car. The photographer's Toyota SUV was clocked at more than 80 mph, weaving in and out of lanes and almost causing several accidents.
"This was very bizarre, very outrageous and showed a total disregard for life and property," Los Angeles City Councilman Dennis Zine, an eyewitness to the chase, said at the time.
Though Raef initially didn't stop when police officers stopped Bieber's car to issue a speeding citation, he was arrested later after Bieber called 911 to report that the same Toyota SUV was again following him.
He was hit with four criminal counts, and is expected back in court Aug. 9.
Bieber has had a rough history with paparazzi of his own. A photographer called authorities on the "Boyfriend" singer in May, complaining he was attacked by 18-year-old in a Los Angeles-area shopping center.
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