Former bikie Mark Sandery tells court he is a ‘changed man’ after attacking woman in front of cops

A well-known former bikie claims he is “a changed man” despite allegations he hit a man in the eye with a hammer, then stomped on an innocent woman in front of police.

A well-known former bikie charged with attacking a man with a hammer before punching and stomping on an innocent woman in front of police at Exeter has lost his bid for bail.

Former Mongols turned Finks bikie Mark Andrew Sandery, 51, of Kilburn appeared in the Adelaide Magistrates Court seeking release on bail on Wednesday, telling the court he was “a changed man”.

He allegedly attacked a man with a hammer, before attacking an innocent woman in front of police officers in November 2022.

Tali Costi, prosecuting, said Mr Sandery went to the home of a male victim after an incident earlier that evening involving an attack on one of his sons, and struck the man in the eye with a hammer.

She said Mr Sandery then attacked the innocent woman after mistaking her for someone else he also thought had attacked his son.

Former Finks bikie Mark Sandery outside court in 2011.

Sandery lost his bid for bail in court on Wednesday.

“She suffered abrasions, bruising and an injury to her ear which will likely have a more permanent disfigurement,” she said.

Ms Costi said Mr Sandery had made admissions about that attack which was captured by police on body worn cameras.

“When (police) were speaking to Mr Sandery there is some noise further down the street,” she said.

“Mr Sandery runs down the road towards that victim, pushes her to the ground, punches and stomps on her in the presence of the police and the police pull him off.”

He is yet to enter pleas to charges of attempted aggravated serious criminal trespass and two counts of aggravated causing harm with intent.

Ms Costi opposed to all forms of bail due to Mr Sandery’s risk of reoffending, fears he would not comply with bail and fears of reprisal for the victims.

“The applicant has an extensive history … (including) 36 prior convictions for failing to comply with bail,” she said.

She said he also had 14 prior convictions for violence offences, firearms offences and had contravened bikie anti-association orders.

A lawyer for Mr Sandery said his offending had lessened over the past six years.

He said Mr Sandery, a father of six, was “for the most part, a changed man”.

“A lot of his previous behaviour has been well and truly left behind,” the lawyer said.

The court has previously heard details of Mr Sandery’s links to motorcycle gangs, which included being a past sergeant-at-arms of the Mongols before defecting to rival gang the Finks.

In 2011, his then 11-year-old son was shot in the leg during a break-in by a former Hells Angels associate.

At his previous appearance he told the court bikie gang links “were a former part of my life”.

Magistrate Simon Smart refused bail and remanded Mr Sandery in custody until his next appearance in May.