OFF THE WIRE
NEWS FROM DOWN UNDER
THE Finks motorcycle club is not a criminal bikie gang but just three mates hanging out together in a shed, its Melbourne sergeant at arms claims.
Richard Michail is accused of stealing a $400,000 Lamborghini from a car dealer after threatening him with a gun and shoving his head into a car window.
Seeking bail, Mr Michail, a disabled pensioner, today told a court the club consisted of just three members, had no hierarchy and his role was merely that of "a spokesman".
"There's nothing illegal about the Finks .... it's mateship," he told the Supreme Court.
Mr Michail, 36, and another Finks member allegedly drove off in the Lamborghini Gallardo from the Lorbek Prestige Cars dealership in Port Melbourne in May after its owner, Srecko Lorbek, refused to give them $50,000.
Police allege they had a gun and wore Finks T-shirts during the incident.
A staff member handed over the keys to the luxury car after Mr Lorbek was allegedly put into a headlock and pushed into a car windscreen.
The court heard Mr Michail was living rent-free in a $2600-a-month property in Port Melbourne, paid for by his brother's company, and earning $1000 a fortnight working for the same business.
He was also claiming a disability pension for his Crohn's disease and told the court he declared all of his income to Centrelink.
Mr Michail said the Finks clubhouse was just a shed that cost $30,000 a year to rent, paid by members and their friends.
He said it was not fortified and was used for social gatherings and fundraisers.
But Justice Paul Coghlan declared Mr Michail's evidence "nonsense".
He said it was well-known that the role of sergeant at arms in motorcycle clubs was that of an enforcer, as was the case with other Finks chapters interstate.
Mr Coghlan said he was concerned that threats had been made to Mr Lorbek after Mr Michail's arrest.
But defence counsel Robert Richter QC said his client had a good bail history and could face 18 months in custody before trial.
Mr Richter said his client's medical condition had worsened in prison and he should be released to care for his sick wife.
Justice Coghlan will decide whether to grant bail on Friday.
