OFF THE WIRE
The disorderly conduct case against a senior Rock Machine bikie accused of being involved in a street fight with a member of a rival gang was dismissed today after prosecution witnesses failed to attend court to testify at his trial.
Minutes after Rock Machine sergeant-at-arms Brent James Reker’s case was dropped in Fremantle Magistrate’s Court, gang crime officers swooped on one of his associates, arresting him in the foyer of the court and escorting him to Fremantle police station.
Police officers also monitored and searched other members of Mr Reker’s large group of supporters outside court.
The heavily tattooed man police took into custody had an outstanding arrest warrant issued against him for a breach of bail.
Mr Reker was due to stand trial today over an alleged East Fremantle fight with senior Rebels bikie Mark Charles Rodgers in November last year.
Police prosecutor Sgt Paul Lawson said the case was dismissed because “two non-police witnesses” failed to show at court, meaning the prosecution could not offer any evidence.
He said the trial had been adjourned twice in the past.
Sgt Lawson refused to say whether the witnesses who did not attend court were members of either gang or independent members of the public.
Mr Rodgers was acquitted in January this year of disorderly conduct after claiming Mr Reker and Daniel Eliezer Newman started attacking him with a torch and pepper spray on a quiet suburban street.
During his trial, Mr Rodgers testified that during the confrontation he wrestled with Mr Reker, who also chased him with pepper spray, while Mr Newman started to smash his car with a torch and threatened him with a knife.
Mr Rodgers denied he was a willing participant in the fight, saying he was outnumbered and would not have wanted to put his car or his dogs that were with him at risk.
The magistrate today awarded Mr Reker $5000 in costs.
http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/breaking/10021870
