Arrest after ex WA-biker gunned down

Major crime detectives last night charged a 39-year-old Morley man over the killing of a high-profile former Western Australian biker whose switching of allegiances , sparked tension between the Club Deroes and the Coffin Cheaters in the late 1990's

Kevin "Mick" Woodhouse was shot several times with a high-powered weapon about 4.50am yesterday outside the Bayswater Waves Aquatic Centre.

The 36-year-old father of two was sitting on a bench outside the centre while waiting to do his early morning gym workout.

It is understood that Mr Woodhouse knew his alleged killer and that two men were involved in a confrontation several days ago over a debt of $4000 to $5000.

Detectives arrested the man outside his Morley home between 3pm and 4pm and later charged him with wilful murder.

Last night police were still carrying out raids on several properties in connection with the incident.

Major crime Det-Sen. Sgt Scott Higgins said the man had no current connections to any bike club. Sen. Sgt Higgins said it would be alleged that after shooting Mr Woodhouse, the gunman left the scene on a motorcycle.

St John Ambulance officers arrived within minutes of the shooting and tried to revive Mr Woodhouse but he was declared dead when he arrived at Royal Perth Hospital.

Mr Woodhouse, a former roof tiler and bouncer who had convictions for violence and drug offences, was still supposedly involved in drug scene, according to a police source.

"He might not have been involved with the bikies per se, but he still would have been doing what they do without wearing their colours," the source said.

Mr Woodhouse was a Club Deroes prospect before he left and joined the Coffin Cheaters, who later kicked him out of their club. A senior Club Deroe told police at the time of the Woodhouse defection that "nothing lower than a dog" left one bike club to join another.

Yesterday's shooting jolted numerous Embleton residents from their sleep. One resident said she was about to get out of bed when she heard the shots. "Shortly afterwards, I heard a motorbike take off quickly," she said.
West Australian Police Service acting deputy commissioner Mel Hay yesterday moved to allay fears that Woodhouse's death may mark a return to the biker war of six years ago.

Two year's ago, a Club Deroes member was acquitted of attempting to kill Woodhouse and another rival club member, Michael Anderson, and of killing Coffin Cheater biker Marc Chabriere.

Chabriere was killed in October 1998 - a year after Woodhouse was shot.
"I can reassure the community this is not about gang warfare ... it is obviously a targeted hit," he said.

Mr Woodhouse's mother, Rosemary, said last night her son was a kind-hearted man who had turned his life around for his two sons.She said her son was always there to help but was often reluctant to ask for help himself. "If I was giving out medals I would have given him one for father of the year," she said.
His current partner, high-profile Perth criminal lawyer Vesna Amidzic, yesterday visited the crime scene to speak with police.

HOME