A SENIOR police officer yesterday said an investigation could be compromised if an associate of an Albury motorcycle club was allowed to change his bail conditions. Paul John Lawler, 46, has been granted police bail over a rape allegation with a condition banning him from attending the Black Uhlans clubhouse in South Albury or being with members or associates.
Barrister Alan Blackman yesterday in Albury Local Court sought a review of that condition on behalf of Lawler.
But police prosecutor Sen-Sgt Steve Turner said a change of bail conditions could leave it open for collusion over an incident at the clubhouse.
Magistrate Geoff Hiatt said there was an apprehended violence order in place for the complainant’s protection.
“I can see no reason at this point in time for those conditions,” Mr Hiatt said when deleting them.
Sgt Turner said Lawler had attended two licensed premises with the complainant before going to the clubhouse where a Black Uhlans member sexually assaulted the woman.
Lawler had taken the woman to another location where he allegedly had sexual intercourse without consent between 6am and 7am on May 29.
Sgt Turner said the other person involved in the initial incident was yet to be arrested by police.
He said police did not want their investigation compromised.
“That’ s why the bail conditions were imposed by police,” Sgt Turner said.
Mr Blackman said Lawler has been living for three years at a residence in David Street and a co-tenant is a Black Uhlans member.
“As a result of these bail conditions, he (Lawler) has had to leave his home,” he said.
He said the woman alleges she was sexually assaulted at the clubhouse before she left and went to Lawler’s home.
She was allegedly sexually assaulted there, but Mr Blackman said they were two completely different incidents.
Lawler has worked in the trucking industry all his life and had been employed by a Wodonga company.
“I am told his employment has been terminated,” Mr Blackman said.
He said Lawler has been offered his job back when the case was finalised.
Barrister Alan Blackman yesterday in Albury Local Court sought a review of that condition on behalf of Lawler.
But police prosecutor Sen-Sgt Steve Turner said a change of bail conditions could leave it open for collusion over an incident at the clubhouse.
Magistrate Geoff Hiatt said there was an apprehended violence order in place for the complainant’s protection.
“I can see no reason at this point in time for those conditions,” Mr Hiatt said when deleting them.
Sgt Turner said Lawler had attended two licensed premises with the complainant before going to the clubhouse where a Black Uhlans member sexually assaulted the woman.
Lawler had taken the woman to another location where he allegedly had sexual intercourse without consent between 6am and 7am on May 29.
Sgt Turner said the other person involved in the initial incident was yet to be arrested by police.
He said police did not want their investigation compromised.
“That’ s why the bail conditions were imposed by police,” Sgt Turner said.
Mr Blackman said Lawler has been living for three years at a residence in David Street and a co-tenant is a Black Uhlans member.
“As a result of these bail conditions, he (Lawler) has had to leave his home,” he said.
He said the woman alleges she was sexually assaulted at the clubhouse before she left and went to Lawler’s home.
She was allegedly sexually assaulted there, but Mr Blackman said they were two completely different incidents.
Lawler has worked in the trucking industry all his life and had been employed by a Wodonga company.
“I am told his employment has been terminated,” Mr Blackman said.
He said Lawler has been offered his job back when the case was finalised.
