A MAN believed to be the national president of the Bandidos motorcycle club was allegedly involved in the extortion and intimidation of an estranged club member after he left the outlaw gang, a court has heard.
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Members of the Echo taskforce and Sunshine Coast Gang Squad on Friday arrested Jason Addison, 49, in Ballarat amid allegations he was involved in the theft of a departing member's Harley Davidson motorcycle.
Sergeant Wade Lee, from the Sunshine Coast Gang Squad, told Ballarat Magistrates Court the victim was in January 2013 allegedly summoned to the Bandidos club house at Caloundra under the guise of farewell drinks when he was told to surrender his bike.
The court heard the victim was allegedly driven to his house by a co-accused, where they removed his bike, which was later re-registered under Addison's name and re-valued at $3000.
Sergeant Lee said Addison, of Echuca, had a "great capacity to facilitate violence and retribution" against the victim if released on bail.
"He's stepped outside of the rules of the club and in doing so has put himself at great risk," he said.
He's stepped outside of the rules of the club and has put himself at great risk.
- Sergeant Wade Lee
The court heard Victoria and Queensland police conducted a series of synchronised raids on known Bandido properties in Victoria on December 4.
Addison's Echuca home was targeted and police found a number of documents pertaining to Bandido membership.
Sergeant Lee opposed Addison's bail application as, given his position as national president of the criminal organisation, he had the ability to interfere with witnesses.
Addison is charged with theft and fraud and two of the three co-accused - Blair Thomsen and Ricky McDougall - are charged with theft and extortion.
Defence lawyer Mike Wardell said a phone call from "fat Mick" to the victim asking for motorcycle registration details after the alleged theft was the extent of the contact between the club and the victim.
Queensland police applied for the extradition of Addison, where they envisaged he would remain in custody at the Sunshine Coast until his matters were finalised.
However, magistrate Cynthia Toose said Addison, who has a meagre criminal history in Victoria with two convictions for drug possession, had no history of failing to appear on bail, and there was no tangible evidence of intimidation of the victim.
Addison was bailed and ordered to appear at the Maroochydore Magistrates Court on January 19.
- Ballarat Courier
