Commancheros bikie Raymond Patrick Harley Jones jailed for stabbing man in front of daughter
A BIKIE who stabbed a man in front of his terrified child without provocation, and taunted police on social media while on the run, has been jailed for at least three years.
A COMMANCHEROS bikie who stabbed a man in front of his terrified child without provocation, and taunted police via social media while on the run, has been jailed for at least three years.
On Monday, the District Court ruled Raymond Patrick Harley Jones had no remorse for his crime, and had not severed ties with the outlaw club despite his claims of “disconnection”.
Judge Geraldine Davison said she had no reason to believe Jones, particularly given his late stepfather was a Gypsy Joker — meaning he had spent all his life within the outlaw scene.
“This was a serious offence of its type, occurring in the presence of a young child upon a man who was obviously trying to remove himself from the situation,” she said.
“There was no justification whatsoever (for this) gratuitous violence that could have had more serious effects than it did.
“You have shown no contrition, no remorse and no recognition of your offending.”
Jones, 30, of Blakeview, was due to stand trial in October 2016 over the the stabbing, which occurred in February 2015.
However, he cut off his electronic monitoring bracelet and fled before his trial concluded, was convicted in his absence and rearrested after two months on the run.
During his time as a fugitive, Jones taunted SA Police through social media posts.
In sentencing on Monday, Judge Davison said the stabbed man had gone to a house north of Adelaide to purchase drugs, taking his seven-year-old daughter with him.
She said Jones, who did not know the man, arrived at the house soon after prompting people inside to say “the Commos are here” and flee.
“Your arrival caused terror to the occupants of the house ... one man ran outside, climbed onto the roof and called 000,” she said.
“Your victim picked up his daughter and tried to leave the house ... when he got into his car, you ran toward him and stabbed him.
“He drove off without realising he had been stabbed until he saw blood everywhere ... he was concentrating on his daughter screaming.”
Judge Davison said she was satisfied “beyond reasonable doubt” that Jones remained a member of the Commancheros.
“This is in contrast to the submissions made on your behalf by counsel ... you declined to give evidence,” she said.
She said Jones’ long history of violent offending, coupled with his drug use, meant he had poor prospects of rehabilitation.
She jailed him for 5 ½ years with a three-year non-parole period.