Australia - Uncooperative bikies remanded in custody

OFF THE WIRE
 Glenn Cordingley
 perthnow.com.au
A JUDGE has reserved his decision over the Finks bikies and associates found guilty of not telling a crime watchdog what happened at a gang brawl at the Perth Motorplex.
Senior Fink Stephen Wallace, 46, had three fingers severed in the brawl between the Finks and the Coffin Cheaters on October 3 but refused to cooperate with the Corruption and Crime Commission.
Troy Smith, 37, of Wanneroo, Stephen Laurence Silvestro, 41, of Two Rocks, Tristan Roger Allbeury, 29, of Balga, and Wallace were convicted of contempt in the Supreme Court in December.
The men claimed to have complied with the CCC but the court was told there was also a degree of “fear and retribution” towards the Coffin Cheaters.
They appeared in court today for sentencing but Chief Justice Wayne Martin said he had to research complex issues before passing sentence.
Finks member Clovis Chikonga, 24, from Balga, also pleaded guilty to conspiracy today and sat in the dock with the others waiting to be sentenced.
Prosecutor Sean O’Sullivan told the court their refusal to cooperate with the CCC “struck at the very heart” of the commission.
He said they failed to shed any light on what happened at a public gathering when two outlaw motorcycle gangs clashed and “major injuries were inflicted”.
Mr O’Sullivan there was no remorse from the men – apart from the guilty plea of Chikonga – and that there was a need to “denounce contempt and make it clear this is the type of conduct society cannot condone”.
Defence lawyer Sam Vandongen said Smith had no recollection of the event (Motorplex) and that he suffered injuries to his hip and back.
Wallace appeared separately before the other men today.
He applied for an adjournment to sentence because he was on probation for heroin trafficking at the time he was convicted of contempt – meaning he could automatically go to jail until 2015.
Justice Martin adjourned the matter to March 8 for information on setting a non parole period and receiving a pre-sentence report.
His associates were remanded back into custody until February 4.