Strange bikie saga draws to close
MICHAEL DUFFY
July 25, 2010
A curious and probably final chapter of the Strike Force Sibret court saga has drawn to a close.
Sibret was one of the most successful actions ever taken against an Australian bikie drug operation.
One of those convicted was Richard Walsh, sergeant-at-arms of the Newcastle Nomads, who was jailed for 32 years.
Several dozen Nomads from the Sydney chapter rode to Newcastle in 2004 and attacked members there, kneecapping two. The Nomads were apparently unhappy with the treatment Walsh had been receiving in jail. Three men, including Hassan "Sam" Ibrahim, were charged with the assaults but found not guilty.
At their trial in 2008 a man named Te Rana Rakete arrived in court and started recording the Crown's chief witness Dale Campton, the only victim to have provided a statement to police.
Rakete was accused of contempt. He was found guilty by Justice Ian Harrison in January.
The judge noted that a minute after Rakete entered the courtroom with his digital camera, John Ibrahim, the brother of Hassan Ibrahim, left the chamber. Passing sentence last month, the judge said Rakete denied wanting to capture Campton's image for use in any future retaliation.
Rakete was put on a good behaviour bond for two years.
