Warrant issued for president of bikie gang
PROSERPINE magistrate Haydn Stjernqvist has issued a warrant for the president of a New South Wales chapter of the Bandidos outlaw motorcycle club.
Cameron James O'Neill was scheduled to appear in the Proserpine Magistrate's Court on Monday to answer a charge under Queensland's new bike gang laws of entering and remaining in a licensed premises while wearing or carrying a prohibited item.
The court heard through his solicitors that O'Neill had asked for the matter to be dealt with in his absence.
Mr Stjernqvist consequently asked to hear the facts.
Police prosecutor Elizabeth Cassells said O'Neill was apprehended by Whitsunday detectives and uniformed officers on Hamilton Island's One Tree Hill at 12.30pm on November 14.
During a search, police found two Bandidos business cards in O'Neill's wallet and three TCB or "Taking Care of Business" patches in his suitcase.
He allegedly told police he forgot he had the items with him.
Ms Cassells said One Tree Hill was a designated licensed premises, within the confines of Hamilton Island's liquor licence and these items were prohibited.
On checking O'Neill's records, Mr Stjernqvist found evidence of past criminal history which gave him the right to exercise his discretion not to hear the matter 'ex-parte'.
He asked the clerk of the court to inform O'Neill's solicitors that his personal appearance would be required on February 24, with a warrant to lie on file until then.
When the call was placed, O'Neill's solicitor, Mr Summers, indicated that his client had no intention of travelling to Queensland.
The warrant was therefore released.