OFF THE WIRE
Source: adelaidenow.com.au
Australia
A PROMISING footballer touted as a future AFL star is trying to avoid being caught up in the escalating gang war between the New Boys and Hells Angels.
Three years ago, Dylan Jessen was expected by many football experts to be among the top 20 picks of the upcoming draft.
Instead, the 20-year-old is now trying to stay out of a blood feud between two violent gangs in a bloody gang war.
Starring in the underage competition and selected to play for junior state teams, Jessen impressed AFL recruits with his tough, uncompromising style.
His state underage teammates included Crows Jared Petrenko and James Sellar, as well as Carlton star Bryce Gibbs.
Unfortunately for Jessen, there were other types of scouts monitoring his progress.
When he was overlooked in the 2008 draft, instead of heading to powerful SANFL club Central District, Jessen became associated with the New Boys street gang.
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How exactly that came about is a mystery.
However, at that time, the New Boys had to have known there was a battle looming with bikie gangs, most notably the Hells Angels.
What is known is that the New Boys - who have a core membership of between 20 and 30 but with up to 100 associates - were the fastest growing gang in Adelaide.
Jessen has refused to comment, but a family member has confirmed to The Advertiser that Jessen had been involved with the New Boys but was now trying to cut all ties with the gang.
While refusing to comment on Jessen's case directly, Crime Gangs Taskforce Detective Superintendent Des Bray said it was disheartening to see young men drawn into the underworld during the New Boys "aggressive" recruiting drive between May 2008 and earlier this year.
"When the New Boys were initially established there was an aggressive recruiting campaign during which quite a few young people were unfortunately drawn into their web," Supt Bray said.
"It is always a pity to see young people become involved in criminal gangs and drawn into a life of crime."
"To see that someone, who obviously has potential, (then) abandon that potential ... is such a waste of that person's life and potential to succeed."
Supt Bray said the New Boys' recruiting drive "stabilised" about six months ago when the gang's numbers hit the perceived optimum membership level.
He said the reality of gangster life was a stark contrast to that presented in the movies.
"All the gangs dictate they come first, your family and friends comes second and third.
"Real families do not make you commit crimes. Real families do not take your tattoo off with an angle grinder if you want to leave the family," he said. "People in gangs need to know that it is never too late to get out ... and divorce themselves from a life of crime.
"Everyone has the opportunity to get out, return to a lawful and honest existence, and make a great life for themselves."
It is alleged that Jessen's grandparents have already become victims of his attempts to leave the gang. Their house was fired at, tearing the screen door, in July.
Supt Bray said that, while Jessen had not approached them, sometimes people did leave the gangs with police assistance.
"We would work out what we could do, we could put things in place for their safety," he said. "We definitely have gang members who come to us from time to time to get assistance; we would always help somebody who wants to get out."
He said gangs would often threaten former gang members' families and sometimes demand up to $100,000 to leave.
