Bikies 'turned on good Samaritan'
A good Samaritan who stepped in when seven bikies "ambushed" a man at a professional fight had facial surgery after the group turned on him, a court has been told.
Seven members of the Comanchero bikie gang, including State commander Trent Fitzgerald, appeared in court yesterday over the November 15 assault.
The court was told the men assaulted a 38-year-old as he tried to leave a Muay Thai fight at a stadium in Madeley.
Police allege the gang turned on a stranger who tried to stop the attack, leaving him with severe facial injuries that required surgery.
Prosecutor Sgt Paul Ritchie described the assault as "vicious and cowardly" and said young children were among the 500-strong crowd at the event
He told the court the attack was carried out by an outlaw motorcycle gang that had a history of serious violence and witness intimidation.
Adam Hyde, Garreth Mackenzie, Shane Mitchell, James Mitsopoulos and Mr Fitzgerald were refused bail after being charged with acts or omissions causing bodily harm or danger.
Lopa Browne and Emmanuel Tabuwa were also charged but did not apply for bail.
Mr Fitzgerald's lawyer Judith Fordham described the allegations read out in court as a "dog's breakfast" and said her client would defend the charge.
Lawyer Malcolm Ayoub argued there was no evidence Mr Mitchell and Mr Mitsopoulos were members of the Comancheros.
He read a Facebook post written by one of the alleged victims, which ran through his injuries and included the words "the price of courage". The assault was captured on a mobile phone and was witnessed by 19 people.
Magistrate Brian Glustein said it appeared the alleged victims had taken "quite a severe beating".
He told the court he could not ignore the fact the alleged attackers were associated with a bikie group that was notorious in the community.
