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Wolf From Atlanta~
[OZ] Bikie on witness threat charge
Tue Jun 29, 2004 8:21pm
206.134.249.138
Bikie on witness threat charge
Paula Doneman
June 29, 2004
A BIKIE has been charged with threatening a prosecution witness
who was set to testify against other gang members at an upcoming
court case for major drug trafficking in Rockhampton.
Rockhampton detectives last week charged James McHugh, 46, with
attempting to pervert the course of justice after he allegedly
threatened a witness on April 29.
Mr McHugh, a member of the Rebels bikie gang's Rockhampton
chapter, was released on watchhouse bail.
Prison authorities, however, revoked his parole on Friday and he
surrendered to the Rockhampton police station with his solicitor
yesterday morning.
He allegedly threatened a prosecution witness in a public place
while in the company of a fellow gang member who is before the
courts on charges stemming from a police investigation, Operation
Mayflower.
The 20-month investigation - involving police, the Australian
Crime Commission and the Crime and Misconduct Commission -
targeted the production and supply of amphetamines and other
drugs by alleged criminal networks throughout Queensland.
Several Rebels from the Rockhampton chapter were charged with
drug-related offences when the operation closed in May.
Mr McHugh's charge comes only weeks after the Crown applied to
have court matters relating to Operation Mayflower relocated to
Brisbane.
On June 4, prosecutor Paul Bannister told the Rockhampton
Magistrate's Court the application was based on issues of a
perception of a fair hearing, costs, and intimidation of
witnesses - including police.
Magistrate Tom Bradshaw ruled there was no merit in the
application or legislative provision.
The Rebels' Rockhampton lawyer was also charged during the
operation after he allegedly tipped off his bikie clients about a
pending police drug raid.
Doug Winning was charged with official corruption and attempting
to pervert the course of justice, which allegedly occurred in May
last year.
Members of the Rebels bikie gang in Rockhampton could not be
reached for comment late yesterday.
Mr McHugh is in custody at Rockhampton's Capricornia Correctional
Centre and will appear in the Rockhampton Magistrate's Court next
month.
The Courier-Mail
