Bikies’ family vow to sue Newman Government
THE family of five men charged under the controversial anti-bikie laws have vowed to sue the State Government if the accused men are found to be innocent.
Paul Jeffery Lansdowne, Steven Michael Smith and Joshua Shane Carew will be behind bars for at least another 11 weeks after Maroochydore Magistrate Cliff Taylor set down a trial date of March 24 and 25 yesterday.
Mr Smith is still in solitary confinement. Scott Michael Conley and Dan Whale, who were freed on bail in December, will learn their fate on the same day. The five men were arrested in early November for interacting at the Yandina Hotel.
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Robert Butler, the lawyer representing Joshua Carew, said he would apply to the Director of Public Prosecutions for crucial CCTV footage to build a case for his client.
Mr Taylor denied the request yesterday.
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Mike Smith, the father of Steven Smith, father-in-law of Mr Carew and stepfather of Mr Conley, spoke of what he called unfair and unjust laws at a protest rally yesterday on the steps of Maroochydore courthouse.
"We are still not sure of our avenues, but if they are all found innocent, we would be looking to sue the State Government for all they have got," Mr Smith said.
"We have had offers from solicitors wanting to represent us if the boys are found innocent." Mr Smith joined with friends, family and total strangers in opposing the anti-bikie laws.
"To be locked up in solitary confinement is just inhumane," Mr Smith said.
"To have them locked up in solitary confinement for 23 hours a day until they decide they have had enough of you being there, they are just losing hope." Mr Conley said he found sleeping difficult after being locked up in solitary confinement in custody.
"You're in there with a stainless steel toilet where everyone can see (and) 15 minutes in an exercise yard by yourself," he said. "We had no TV for five days, couldn't change our clothes for four.
"For five days, you are treated like a caged animal.
"Every bit of dignity is gone.''