Alleged bikie fined for wearing club gear to Townsville Show
- CHRISTIE ANDERSON
- Townsville Bulletin
- July 08, 2015 12:00AM
Jason Michael Heang was spotted by police at the Townsville Show on Monday afternoon wearing a Rebels T-shirt, belt and rings.
Heang pleaded guilty yesterday in Townsville Magistrates Court to wearing clothing or accessories that display names or club patches of a declared criminal organisation on a licensed premises.
Police prosecutor Senior Constable Mick Whitty said Heang told police he didn’t realise the show was held on a licensed premises despite signs displayed at the entrance.
“The defendant stated he did not know the showground was a licensed premise and if he did, he wouldn’t have worn the items,” he said.
Heang was also charged under the same legislation in January 2014 for allegedly attending a public place with three or more participants of a criminal organisation. He was accused of meeting with two other alleged Rebels members at a gym in Deeragun.
The three men had their homes raided, with police finding weapons, drugs and photographs of undercover police. Their case will now be heard by a Brisbane magistrate after an appeal in Townsville District Court was discontinued.
Defence barrister Scott Geeves told the court yesterday his client had been mistaken about the showgrounds being a licensed venue.
“He was with his young daughter when police effected the arrest,” he said.
“I’m told it was a traumatic experience for her.”
Heang’s daughter was collected by friends following the arrest on Monday.
Magistrate Peter Smid fined Heang $2000, saying it was Heang’s third similar offence. what a load of shit, ridiculous
Mr Smid also ordered forfeiture of the Rebels-branded clothing and accessories.
The conviction follows the Labor Government announcing a taskforce to examine the state’s anti-bikie laws.
The legislation was introduced in 2013 by the former Newman government.
The laws also include banning criminal gang members from locations such as clubhouses and banning the recruitment of new members.