Former bikie is set free

A FORMER bikie boss walked from jail yesterday despite admitting to screaming at his teenage son in public on three occasions, breaching a domestic violence order.

The 48-year-old man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was released after he was sentenced by Magistrate Dermot Kehoe to nine months prison wholly suspended for two years.

In January, the Bulletin reported a family was in hiding after the ex-bikie was given bail for breaching a domestic violence order. The man’s expartner and her family remain in hiding after hearing of the “shocking” news. The woman refused to comment further for fear of retribution.

Previously, the mother-oftwo said she was scared to let her 10-year-old son ride to school until the boy’s father was behind bars.

The ex-gang member gained notoriety for his involvement in some of the city’s most high-profile crimes. He alleges one incident left him with shoulder damage and ongoing mental health issues.

All of the domestic violence incidents involve the former bikie screaming abuse at his son in public places across the southern Gold Coast.

The Southport Magistrates Court was told yesterday a number of witnesses to the incidents declined to give statements as they feared “retribution”.

Defence lawyer Chris Hannay, of Hannay Lawyers, said police were “embellishing” court documents and it was hard to believe as “plenty” of people had given evidence against the former gang member in the past.

It was alleged the ex-bikie pulled up next to his son in a silver car and verbally abused him during the first incident, in Palm Beach, about 9am on December 10 last year.

Less than 10 minutes later the ex-bikie was seen yelling at his son outside a gym in Palm Beach, the court heard.

Less than three weeks later the man was again seen yelling at the boy in a public car park.

Speaking on behalf of the ex-bikie, Mr Hannay said he had known the man and his two children for some time.

“(The boy) has shown nothing but praise for his father and how he has looked after him,” Mr Hannay said.

The ex-bikie had custody of his two boys until a domestic violence order was lodged on October 9 last year.

Mr Kehoe said the offending was at the lower end of the scale as there was no physical violence.