Outlaw to face more charges
Patrick O'Neil
20may05
A FORMER president of the Outlaws motorcycle gang will face charges
of trafficking speed and marijuana among a swag of offences
uncovered by police surveillance, a court heard yesterday.
Brendan Peterson was refused bail for his alleged role in the theft
of a $60,000 powerboat, a caravan and several cars.
Sen-Det Mal Teissl, of the crime investigation unit, said many more
charges were pending for Mr Peterson over trafficking "amphetamine
and cannabis, also a series of theft of motor vehicle charges".
Mr Peterson, 31, of Skye, faces nine charges including theft,
burglary, handling stolen goods and perjury.
The court heard police tracked Mr Peterson and other Outlaw gang
members for six months before the pre-dawn raids on Wednesday.
More than 2000 phone conversations were recorded during Operation
Jawed, leading to raids on 27 properties across Victoria by 240
officers.
Prosecutor Jack Vandersteen asked Sen-Det Teissl about Mr Peterson's
role in the Outlaws. "He's a former president," Sen-Det Teissl said.
Co-accused Stephen Fowler, 41, of Rye, has been charged with 14
counts including making a threat to kill, carry an unlicensed
firearm, theft of a motor vehicle, handling stolen goods and
perjury.
Mr Peterson was refused bail because his alleged offences happened
while he was on bail on charges from 2003.
Mr Fowler was bailed on a $40,000 surety and was banned from
associating with Outlaw members.
Among charges, the pair are accused of stealing a boat and caravan
from Rye holiday houses.
Sen-Det Teissl said Mr Peterson's truck was used to take stolen
vehicles and that he had implicated himself in the crimes in police
telephone intercepts.
He said Mr Peterson had threatened witnesses in the past and would
again if released.
Mr Peterson maintained his innocence in police interviews.
He had been on bail since December 2003 charged with four assaults
and firearms offences. He was sentenced to a minimum six months in
jail on May 6 but was on bail awaiting appeal.
His lawyer, Alex Lewenberg, yesterday indicated Mr Peterson would
abandon his appeal but would defend the new charges.
Magistrate Robert Tuppen remanded Mr Peterson in custody to return
to court on August 25.
