Thomas Patterson pleaded guilty to assisting Thomas O’Connor in Salisbury North drive-by shooting

A former Hells Angel who assisted a drive-by shooter by hiding evidence was also caught with meth and cash hidden in his car after arrest.

An ex-bikie who assisted in a revenge drive-by shooting by hiding evidence was also caught with meth and cash in his car, a court heard.

Thomas Wilshire Patterson, 30, of Mile End, asked the court to spare him further jail time for his role, saying he planned to turn his life around.

Marie Shaw, KC, for Patterson, told the District Court on Monday her client assisted Thomas Mortiz O’Connor by removing traces of gunshot residue after the shooting.

Patterson was with O’Connor, 33, – who were both Hells Angels members at the time – Natalie Marie Pilkington, 28, and Lilli Mae Trenerry, 28, on November 26, 2020.

The court previously heard Trenerry organised the group to take revenge for her brother.

Thomas Patterson pleaded guilty to drug trafficking and assisting an offender. Photo: Facebook

Thomas O'Connor was sentenced last year for discharging a firearm. Picture: Facebook

O’Connor fired bullets into the garage door of a Salisbury North property – which was the wrong house and not the target of their plan.

The group then attended at Lyell McEwin Hospital shortly after the shooting, where Ms Pilkington was treated for a gunshot wound to her hip.

During Trenerry’s sentencing submissions in March, the court heard when asked how Ms Pilkington sustained the gunshot wound, she told police it happened as they walked along the street.

John Wilson, for Trenerry, said his client was actually at Patterson’s house after the initial shooting when she saw O’Connor and Ms Pilkington go into the bathroom.

“She heard a loud bang, a gunshot and then she went in with Mr Patterson to the bathroom … and observed Ms Pilkington who had been shot,” he said.

“The inference that Ms Trenerry drew is that Mr O’Connor had shot his long-term girlfriend in the hip.”

Lilli Trenerry was sentenced for assisting an offender. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Kelly Barnes

No charges were proceeded with against Natalie Pilkington. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Kelly Barnes

The court heard Patterson’s car was searched after the shooting and methamphetamine and cash was found secreted within the compartment of the driver’s side dashboard.

Patterson pleaded guilty to assisting an offender and drug trafficking.

Judge Kudelka sentenced O’Connor in July last year for discharging a firearm to one year and 10 months, with a non-parole period of eight months.

She ordered the sentence be served on home detention.

Trenerry, of Morphett Vale, pleaded guilty to assisting an offender and was sentenced in May to a $1000, one year good behaviour bond.

Charges were dropped against Ms Pilkington in February.

On Monday, Ms Shaw said Patterson had a serious drug addiction at the time and was to receive a modest amount of methamphetamine as a reward for holding the drugs.

Ms Shaw said Patterson – who was no longer a member of the Hells Angels – had previously worked as a power line technician before he fell in the grip of his drug addiction.

“He has certainly been well and truly reinforced as to the lessons and the downfall of drug addiction,” she said.

The court heard Patterson planned to live with his supportive family and regain employment once released, to help with fostering his rehabilitation.

Patterson will be sentenced in September.