Veteran Coffin Cheaters bikie Eddy Withnell will fight a five-year ban stopping him entering or working in nightclubs and licensed restaurants.
The Liquor Commission relied on secret police evidence to decide it was in the public interest to ban Mr Withnell from licensed premises including pubs with extended trading hours permits, clubs, licensed restaurants and some venues with special facilities licenses.
Police had wanted him barred from all WA licensed premises but the Liquor Commission stopped short of that, allowing him to drink at pubs without extended trading hours' permits and enter bottleshops.
The prohibition order will effectively ban him from Northbridge venues, with most pubs having extended trading hours' permits or special facilities licences. He will also be banned from going to the football or the races.
Mr Withnell was not informed directly of the ban. _The West Australian _ broke the news to him yesterday after the decision was posted on the Liquor Commission's website.
He said yesterday he was surprised by the decision and would talk to his lawyer about fighting it. He has previously said the ban would affect his livelihood supplying and supervising strippers at the James Street club The Voodoo Lounge.
Mr Withnell said a Bill of Rights was needed to protect people from "abuse of power by unjust laws and immoral politicians".
"If a man on the streets of Northbridge punched someone, killed him and stole his alcohol, he would be sentenced to three years jail, serve 18 months and be free to enter every bar and club in this city," he said.
"But because I am guilty of nothing, because I have been charged with nothing and I have not even been accused of anything, I am to be banned for life from all licensed premises."
The 56-year-old said at his age, a five-year ban was an exile for life.
Police Commissioner Karl O'Callaghan applauded the ban,saying the laws would clean up the industry.
This morning Premier Colin Barnett said he welcomed the Liquor Commission’s decision.
Asked on ABC radio today if he had any sympathy for Mr Withnell, Mr Barnett’s answer was a straightforward “No”.
“He has colourful, chequered history … he has been banned for five years, it is a good result,” Mr Barnett said.
Nightclub ban like a life sentence: Withnell
GABRIELLE KNOWLES, The West Australian
November 3, 2009, 6:20 am
Barry Baker/The West Australian ©
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15 Comments
I first met Eddy in Fremantle Prison. I leave it you supporters to find out why he was there.
It really doesn't matter if Eddy committed a crime of any sort or not. If he did the deed then publicize it and punish him from the book. Don't say he misbehaved but I am afraid I can't tell you what he did ( it’s a secret ) and then make up some idiotic sentence of sorts that is not even found in any sentence options currently available. Some bodies got the nose on their big head out of joint and in affect grounded an adult who is not even in their care. If old commissioners Grand folk’s have an accidental bowl movement at the dinner table then he most likely will stand them in the corner for a week to think about it. If it wasn't so scary it would be a joke. Best think Eddy can do is just laugh at the bunch of fools will having a quite beer someplace.
Good on ya commish, this bloke is a thug and a crim , and if it was up to me he'd be in jail for LIFE!!
This government needs to learn that justice not only has to be done but it must also be seen to be done. If Withnel has done something so heinous that he needs to be barred from licensed premises including the football and the races I think the public deserves to know just what it is that he has done. How is anyone else going to be deterred from crime if they don't even know what the crime is? I don't think anyone could successfully argue against the perception that Northbridge is absolutely riddled with crime and evil doings so why not spill the beans on Withnel? If they don't make the process transparent to the extent of stating that Withnel has been barred because so and so said he did X the conspiracy theorists could imply that he has done something wrong but slipped some grease into the wheels to keep it quiet so that his reputation isn't further damaged. Come on, tell us what he did.
I agree with Hubba. Let this go and it wont be too long before our cop's are wearing their brown shirts and waving their big sticks. I've worn a uniform (Army 67-69 Nasho's) and it's amazing just how our cops seem to change their demeanor to one of a 'schoolyard bully; as soon as they don this uniform (police-that is!) we are a democracy,are we not? Fight the pricks Eddy, and say Hi to Ron for me!
The new and not very usual punishment for anti social crimes may just give some people teetering on the edge of crime a desire to improve themselves. Who knows?
You're kidding, 'innocent until proven guilty' and 'democratic rights', the man is a self proclaimed outlaw and member of a group of self declared outlaws, you cant claim to be outside of the law and then whinge about rights. It's a joke when this guy claims to be an innocent citizen going about his business, being innocent and never having been convicted are two utterly different things. Can't have it both ways, your either a law abiding citizen with rights or your an outlaw, pathetic.
Once again, the NO State.
I have never met Eddie, don't know him or any of his mates but EVERY AUSTRALIAN should be fighting against this. This goes against the very democracy we live in. What happened to "innocent UNTIL proven guilty?". This is guilty and you aren't even allowed to protest your innocence. It could happen to anyone of us if we let this go.
so is that aussie for fair go?..secret police...secret evidence..WTF? is this USA and Area 54 with the alien crash landing?
The WA Police are compromised by Freemasonry.
Secret evidence against a man who is working hard to do his best in an honest way in this world is despicable. Is West Australia the Spanish Inquisition???.Secret police evidence is only used when they cannot tell the truth and rely on doctored and fabricated words of people lower than a snake's belly. Give Eddy a go.. Phillip
'Secret Police' evidence. Hmmm just the words "Secret Police" gives cause for concern.
WA government and police = gustapo..Whats next?...round them up...give em stripped pyjamas and tatoo them
Karl O'Callaghan is a joke and an embarrassment to the Western Police Force. Likes to pick on the underdog, but backs away from the many indigenous and ethnic gangs making our lives misery here. Wouldn't even charge the killers of Bill Rowe with a race hate crime, what a prick. He deserves to loose his job, like most Labour employed lackeys.