Peter Mauric leaves the Southport Magistrates Court flanked by reporters.
BANDIDO Peter Mauric declared his not guilty verdict
was a “win for the good guys” before heading straight to a nearby cafe to
down a quick celebratory beer.
Rather than minimising his involvement in the criminal bikie gang outside court, the 45-year-old told the media he was “proud to be a Bandido”.
The Bandido had pleaded not guilty to the charge of riot in relation to his conduct during the Broadbeach brawl outside Aura restaurant in September, 2013 that led to the implementation of the State’s harsh anti-bikie laws.
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Peter Mauric drinks a Coroner in celebration of his not guilty verdict.
Yesterday, after the charges were thrown out of court, Mauric spruiked his lawyers Zali Burrows and Geoff Foster to “any crims who want good representation”, then said he was going straight back to Tweed to get “out of this godforsaken state”.
The bombshell not guilty verdict was delivered in the Southport Magistrates Court following a two-and-a-half-week trial.
Magistrate Michael Quinn found that while Mauric behaved in a disorderly manner, that was not sufficient to justify a riot charge.
A smiling Peter Mauric walks from Southport Court yesterday.
“The defendant’s behaviour in this regard may have been sneaky, objectionable, insulting, obscene and may have constituted a public nuisance offence but that charge is not before me,” he said.
CCTV footage showed Mauric yell at police, “Bit low on numbers, boys” and “Quit with the (expletive) attitude,” and attempt to grab the T-shirt of someone involved in the fight.
Mr Quinn said he could not be satisfied the two comments made by Mauric amounted to or encouraged threats of violence.
“I cannot be satisfied beyond reasonable doubt this conduct amounts to participation in any such common purpose, if it did exist,” he said.
Magistrate Michael Quinn found that while Mauric behaved in a disorderly manner on the night of a brawl between the Bandidos and Finks, that was not sufficient to justify a riot charge. Image: A Current Affair
He rejected Mauric’s evidence that they were searching for a place to drink to pick up girls the night of the brawl and found him to be an “unreliable and unimpressive witness”.
“His demeanour while giving evidence was that of a person trying desperately to remember rehearsed lines,” Mr Quinn said.
“His demeanour was that of a cunning witness.”
Instead, Mr Quinn found the “only rational inference” he could draw was that the Bandidos were there for the common purpose to assault or intimidate Jason Trouchet.
While Mauric’s defence team labelled the evidence of Aura staff members and police as unreliable, Mr Quinn said he was satisfied the incident did cause members of the public to fear for their safety.
Mauric’s solicitor Zali Burrows leaves the Southport Magistrates Court.
Solicitor Zali Burrows made an application for the prosecution to cover Mauric’s legal costs.
While Mauric’s total legal costs are unknown, it’s understood his legal team spent more than $16,000 on court transcripts alone.
Mr Quinn adjourned his decision on costs.