Former Hells Angels bikie Thomas O’Connor jailed in the Adelaide Magistrates Court for drugs and weapon charges

A former bikie – caught with cocaine and steroids – carried a knife on him for “his own protection” when he was trying to leave the criminal organisation.

Thomas O'Connor was jailed for six months in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Friday. Picture: Facebook

A former Hells Angels member carried a knife with him during the time he was leaving the organisation for his “own protection”.

Thomas Moritz O’Connor, 31, was jailed for six months in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Friday, after he was sentenced for multiple drug and weapon offences.

The court heard police received reports of a man sleeping at the wheel of a car that was flagged as stolen on March 1, 2020.

“Police observed the defendant to be drug affected,” the police prosecutor said.

The court heard police searched the car and found a syringe, an ice pipe, a small glass bottle with GHB, also known as fantasy and 4g of a substance suspected to be cocaine.

“The defendant claimed they were for personal use,” the police prosecutor said.

O’Connor’s car was again searched on July 2 and police found an ice pipe and a foldable knife and vials of steroids were found during a search of his house on September 2.

The court heard O’Connor was then searched during a traffic stop on October 1.

“Police located a knife within a sheaf in the pant pocket of the defendant,” the police prosecutor said.

O’Connor, of Mile End, pleaded guilty in court on Friday to multiple charges, including carrying an offensive weapon and possessing controlled drugs.

Yasmin McMahon, for O’Connor, told the court that her client had the knife for his own protection.

“He instructs that at around that time he was commencing his exit from the Hells Angels and he felt his safety might in some way be affected,” Ms McMahon said.

“The police are aware that he has left the Hells Angels motorcycle club voluntarily at the beginning of February.”

Lilli Trenerry (left) and Natalie Pilkington are also charged with firing shots at a Salisbury North house. Picture: Facebook

Thomas Patterson is charged with discharging shots to frighten, annoy or injure someone. Picture: Facebook

The court previously heard a reason O’Connor left the Hells Angels was because his partner of five-years and co-accused, Natalie Marie Pilkington, was shot during an alleged drive-by shooting gone wrong in November.

The court heard Lilli Mae Trenerry, 26, allegedly orchestrated the group to take revenge for her brother.

Trenerry appeared in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Tuesday to have her bail varied, which included a curfew and a condition not to have contact with her three co-accused.

Her partner and alleged Hells Angels OMCG member, Thomas Wilshire Patterson, 28, is also accused of being involved in the Salisbury North shooting where the wrong house was targeted.

All four are charged with discharge firearm to injure, annoy or frighten a person. They are yet to enter pleas.

Ms McMahon told the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Friday that O’Connor accepted his criminal history was “not good”.

“Just prior to being taken into custody he had taken significant steps to turn his life around,” she said.

The court heard O’Connor had joined a rehabilitation program and gained employment as a labourer.

Magistrate Kym Millard sentenced O’Connor to six months and three days jail for the drugs and weapons charges, backdated to February 17.