Alleged Descendants bikie Mark Barford to remain behind bars for ‘serious’ drug and firearm charges

An alleged Descendants bikie – who was arrested alongside his son over a gun disguised as a Christmas present – is set to remain behind bars.

Alleged Descendants bikie Mark Barford will stay behind bars after being arrested on drug and firearms charges. Picture: Facebook

An alleged bikie who disguised a loaded handgun as a Christmas present was making “a call for help” after he thought his son died in a serious motorcycle accident, a court has heard.

Mark Barford, who police say is a member of the Descendants outlaw motorcycle gang, was denied bail in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Monday.

The 57-year-old was allegedly caught with the loaded revolver, as well as a “significant” amount of drugs in December last year.

In a bail application on Monday, the court heard Barford should be released becaause he didn’t have any sinister reasons for what police allegedly uncovered at his property and due to his deteriorating health.

Nick Vadasz, for Barford, said he had spiralled into depression after his son Adam, who is currently on bail, hit a cow and was run off the road in a serious motorcycle accident last year.

Alleged Descendants bikie Mark Barford has been in custody since December 14 on drug and firearms charges. Picture: Facebook

“The father came across the accident scene, saw his son at the bottom of the ravine and believed he was dead,” Mr Vadasz said.

The court heard Mark then ran to the bottom of the ravine and was seriously injured himself, requiring a knee reconstruction.

“As a result of the belief that his son had been killed and his feelings of guilt and responsibility for that, Mr Barford suffered post traumatic stress and depression and suicidal ideation,” Mr Vadasz said.

“The firearm in question relates directly to his suicidal ideation ... maybe a call for help.”

The court previously heard officers rang Barford’s mobile and heard him tell Adam to remove a black and gold package from under the tree and hide it in the toilet of their Modbury North home.

When members of the Crime Gangs Taskforce arrived at the house, they allegedly found Adam Barford in the bathroom holding his phone in one hand and the package – with a loaded .22 calibre revolver inside – in the other.

They also allegedly uncovered methamphetamine, ammunition, an expandable baton and a crossbow hidden at the property.

The pair are yet to enter pleas to multiple drug and firearms offences.

Co-accused Adam Barford leaving the Adelaide Magistrates Court last month. Picture: Kathryn Bermingham

Mr Vadasz told the court the drugs allegedly found by police hidden underneath a water tank were used by Barford for “self treatment.”

A police prosecutor still opposed the bail application, saying they had a strong case against Barford and he had made admissions to owning the loaded handgun.

“In my submission, it was a significant amount of drugs found – it was 67g of methamphetamine in mixed quantity and 33g of that was pure methamphetamine,” the police prosecutor said.

Magistrate David McLeod refused Barford bail, saying the allegations were too serious and the prosecution case was strong.

The charges were adjourned until January.