OFF THE WIRE
GOLD Coast police are fearful of escalating bikie violence after the city's Bandidos' sergeant-at-arms suffered a broken nose in a Surfers Paradise nightclub brawl.Tensions have been growing between rival motorcycle gxxgs on the Gold Coast for some time as they attempt to stake their claim for Glitter Strip supremacy.
Last month a gym on the northern Gold Coast owned by a well-known Hells Angel bikie member was peppered with bullets, and a Bandidos associate was hit with a shotgun blast on a Robina street in November.
Both investigations are ongoing.
In the latest outbreak, Joshua Leigh Downey, 29, yesterday faced Southport Magistrates Court on drug charges after his home was raided by police, but prosecutors opposed bail on the grounds of his alleged role in an incident on the nightclub strip on December 30.
Downey, a personal trainer who runs women's self-defence classes, was at the Hollywood Showgirls nightspot when he became involved in an argument about 1am.
He was left with a broken nose after being punched in the face, allegedly by a member of the rival outlaw Rebels gxxg.
Police allege he went home to round up reinforcements before returning to the nightclub strip.
Police prosecutor Senior Constable Kristy Johnson told the court the group pushed straight past bouncers at Blush nightclub, allegedly looking for the man who had broken Downey's nose.
"Security were overwhelmed by their sheer numbers," she said.
She also told the court detectives were fearful the situation could spiral out of control if Downey was granted bail.
"Police are concerned this could lead to increased violence between the two clubs," she said.
Defence lawyer Campbell MacCallum argued his client would only be fined if found guilty of alleged drug offences and should not be held in custody.
During the raid on his apartment, police allegedly found steroids, ecstasy tablets and almost 3g of cocaine.
Magistrate Brian Kilmartin granted Downey bail.
He will reappear in Southport Magistrates Court next month.
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/fears-mount-in-bikie-turf-wars/story-e6freoof-1226235154539