A Supreme Court bail hearing has brought to light disturbing allegations about drug-fuelled sexual encounters at a Sydney hair salon. Stylist Danny Soulaimane is accused of drugging and raping men he met through Grindr.
Soulaimane’s family, including his mother, aunt, sister, brother-in-law and cousin, sat through graphic evidence detailing alleged sexual activity, body parts, illegal drugs and the use of a blindfold. Soulaimane describes himself as a “global celebrity” artist.
Appearing by audio-visual link from Bathurst prison, Soulaimane’s lawyers argued that any sexual or drug-related activity between him and the men was consensual, or that some allegations had been overstated. The court also heard that additional potential complainants had come forward.
Justice Gregory Sirtes SC outlined the prosecution and police case against the hairdresser as his relatives listened. Soulaimane faces two rape charges and two charges linked to the alleged administration of drugs.
The judge said Soulaimane, who owns SalonDS in Sydney’s inner west, allegedly met men through the gay dating app Grindr, brought them to the business for sex and secretly inserted methylamphetamine into their anuses with his finger, allegedly causing them to become intoxicated.
The first alleged encounter took place on March 8, 2026. Justice Sirtes said the complainant claimed Soulaimane inserted methylamphetamine during the meeting.
Stylist Danny Soulaimane, pictured at his Sydney salon, is accused of drugging and raping male Grindr dates. The allegations were aired during his Supreme Court bail hearing.
The Supreme Court heard allegations about disputed drug and sex encounters at Danny Soulaimane’s Rosebery salon. The hairdresser was pictured being arrested outside the premises in August.
According to the allegation, when the man accused Soulaimane of drugging him, the hairdresser denied it before allegedly penetrating him repeatedly.
The second alleged incident occurred on May 25 this year and involved a man who had gone to Soulaimane’s salon during his lunch break without telling his husband.
Prosecutors said the man had expected a sexual encounter involving amyl nitrate and a blindfold.
Instead, the court heard, Soulaimane allegedly inserted methylamphetamine with his finger.
The man allegedly became “woozy” before losing consciousness. He later regained awareness on the salon floor, sweating heavily and experiencing pain in his penis and anus, the court was told.
Police arrested Soulaimane at the salon on August 7. He has remained in custody since then.
He has been charged with two counts of sexual intercourse without consent and two counts of administering an intoxicating substance with the intention of enabling himself to commit an indictable offence.
Prosecutors told the court that charges connected to a third man were expected to be filed against Soulaimane, while two further potential complainants had also been identified.
Soulaimane has spent more than two months in custody but is expected to be granted bail with conditions allowing him to continue operating his business for financial reasons.
However, defence barrister Ben Barrack said the sexual activity was consensual and suggested drugs may have been used to intensify the experience.
Barrack told the court that the existing complainants had not been truthful about what occurred inside the salon.
He also argued that the second alleged victim had visited the salon intending to have sex and use amyl nitrate.
Mr Barrack said remarks Soulaimane had made during police interviews which the prosecution found incriminating only referred to the use of ‘lube … lubricant with his finger’.
These included the accused allegedly stating he didn’t ‘have enough of any drug to do anything with’ and that he only had ‘my medical weed’.
Police also charged him with possession of a prohibited drug after police allegedly found 15g of meth when they arrested him at his Rosebery salon.
The 39-year-old boasts on his website of having an international clientele and being ‘world champion hair artist-trained’.
He has operated the same hair parlour for 19 years.
Since his arrest Soulaimane has been locked up in different prisons but has now been granted bail on strict conditions
But in testimony to support his release on bail, Soulaimane’s sister said that since his incarceration the business was in danger of closing down.
Bernadette Habkouk said that while running software and fashion businesses and raising three young children, she had found it ‘quite extreme’ to keep SalonDS afloat while her brother was in jail.
Upon his arrest, ‘overnight this unexpected change occurred and we did our best to navigate around it. Some days it’s hanging by a thread,’ she said, breaking down in tears.
Justice Sirtes granted Soulaimane bail on strict conditions and on the proviso that his mother, Benny Soulaimane, or Bernadette Habkouk, or her husband, Nasim Habkouk, deposit a $50,000 cash surety.
Ms Habkouk wept in court at the ruling.
Soulaimane will have to report daily to police, and be under virtual house arrest except to attend his salon and run the financial side of the business.
He is not to use Grindr or any dating apps, nor can he engage sex workers, or workers at massage or strip clubs.