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Police injured in bikie brawl
By Mark Alexander
December 5, 2004
TWO police officers have been injured in a brawl with a group of bikies near a
Cairns shopping centre.
Troubled flared about 10pm on Friday when five men believed to be members of the
Bandidos motorcycle club were asked to leave the Rock Tavern because they did
not meet the dress code.
They allegedly attacked a patron but left when police were called.
Cairns CIB officer-in-charge Detective Senior Sergeant Brad Eaton said six
police crews stopped the men on the Bruce Highway near Mount Sheridan Plaza.
He said a fight had broken out while police tried to question the group.
"It grew from there," he said.
One officer, a senior sergeant aged in his early 40s, received a gash to his
forehead and was taken to hospital by ambulance, where he was released after
receiving several stitches. He was back at work yesterday.
A sergeant in his late 30s sprained his ankle and also required hospital
treatment.
An ambulance spokesman said the two crews who attended were responding to
reports of a riot.
"The call came through to us as a riot," he said.
Rock Tavern manager Craig Hards said the men were asked to leave the crowded
lounge bar because they were wearing singlets. He said they were not regulars at
the tavern and did not appear to be drunk.
"There was a minor altercation with one of the patrons – just one unlucky bloke
who looked at them the wrong way," he said.
"Then it's erupted down the road.
"I've spoken to the patron today. He's a bit sore and sorry but he's all right.
He's fine."
In a special sitting of the Cairns Magistrates Court late yesterday, five men
aged between 28 and 39 were charged with offences including serious assault on a
police officer.
The Sunday Mail (Qld)
