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Yandina Seven trial put on backburner

THE trial of seven Sunshine Coast men charged under bikie laws for allegedly meeting at the Yandina Hotel will not go ahead as scheduled next month.

The trial of the men dubbed the Yandina Seven was due to begin in the Maroochydore Magistrates Court on November 7.

However, it was delisted this morning after a lawyer for one of the men sought an adjournment pending the outcome of an appeal and potential changes to Queensland's VLAD law.

John Cook said one of his clients, Paul Jeffery Landsdowne, was awaiting the results of an appeal in the Supreme Court against a recent conviction which he understood the prosecution would be relying upon in the trial.

Mr Landsdowne, 58, was given a four year jail sentence in the Brisbane Supreme Court last month after being found guilty of trafficking and possession of methylamphetamine.

Mr Cook said it was also possible changes to legislation could be passed before the end of the year might also resolve all matters.

There were no submissions by lawyers for the other men: Joshua Shane Carew, 33, Scott Michael Conley, 39, Eric Ferdinand Felhaber, 52, Patrick Francis Moloney, 61, Steven Michael Smith, 30, and Dan Whale, 29.

The seven were each charged with being participant in a criminal organisation and knowingly present with two or more people participant in a criminal organisation after allegedly meeting at the Yandina Hotel almost three years ago.

They are alleged to be participants it the Rebels motorcycle club.

Todd Fuller, QC, for the Department of Prosecutions, acknowledged the Crown would rely on some material related to Mr Landsdowne's conviction and the passing of legislation could have an impact on how the prosecution treated the case.

Magistrate Annette Hennessy said an adjournment would benefit both the prosecution and defence and delisted the trial.

However, she made no determination on whether Mr Landsdowne's appeal should be taken into account.

The matter was set for mention again on December 16.

None of the accused men attended today's proceedings and they are not required to appear in person at the next mention.

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