Bikie blackout ordered

Bail bans alleged ex-Bandido from contacting mates

AN ALLEGED former Bandidos bikie will not be able to approach any place a known Bandidos member lives or works under stringent bail conditions ordered by a court.

Liam Christensen, 21, appeared in Southport Magistrates Court yesterday facing a single charge of habitual consorting.

He is the second Gold Coast man to be charged with the offence since the laws were introduced in March last year.

Christensen was charged on Saturday morning after allegedly contacting recognised offenders after twice being warned not to have contact with people with a criminal conviction.

It is alleged Christensen continued to remain in contact with those people after being issued with the warnings.

The charge comes after police warned they will be targeting gang members and bikies who consort via Facebook and social media.

The first man charged with consorting laws in Queensland, accused Villains member Harley Barbaro, is set to appear in Southport Magistrates Court today to vary his bail conditions.

Barbaro is also fighting the charges.

Christensen yesterday appeared in court in a black shirt and green shorts, remaining quiet throughout the short bail hearing.

He has short clipped, dark hair at the front while his hair at the back is slightly longer and he also wears an neatly trimmed beard.

Police prosecutor Aylish Robertson said police agreed to bail as long as seven strict bail conditions were imposed.

Magistrate Pamela Dowse agreed to those conditions including prohibiting Christensen from contacting any known or former Bandidos gang member, not approaching a Bandidos’ residence or place of work and not to use encrypted messaging apps such as What’s App.

Christensen must also surrender his mobile phone to police on request so police can check he has not contacted anyone in breach of his bail.

Defence lawyer Corey Cullen, of Cullen Lawyers, said outside court that Christensen would be fighting the charges.

“They are very stringent (bail) conditions,” he said.

“Obviously it was in my client’s best interest and something he was willing to agree so he can be released from custody.”

Mr Cullen said there were a number of defences available to the laws.

Ms Dowse ordered police provide a brief of evidence on the charges. The matter was adjourned to August 30.