Gypsy Joker Matt David James Smith-Howell pleads guilty to entering a prescribed place

A member of the notorious Gypsy Joker outlaw motorcycle gang will plead “exceptional circumstances” in an attempt to avoid a mandatory jail term, a court has heard.

An outlaw motorcycle gang member will claim “exceptional circumstances” in an attempt to avoid a mandatory jail term, a court has heard.

Matt David James Smith-Howell, a member of the notorious Gypsy Jokers, pleaded guilty to a single count of criminal organisation participant – enter prescribed place at the Mount Gambier Magistrate Court on Tuesday.

Smith-Howell’s defence lawyer Stacey Carter told the court he was a member of an outlaw motorcycle club and would enter a guilty plea to the January 4 offence to take advantage of a a lessened sentence.

Matt David James Smith-Howell pleaded guilty to entering a prescribed place. Picture: Facebook

Ms Carter told Magistrate Maria Panagiotidis she was not precluded from handing down a home detention sentence, outlining he had limited history and no priors for the charged offence.

She tendered a photograph of the location Smith-Howell allegedly entered ahead of submissions indicating she would argue there were “exceptional circumstances”.

“The allegation is that he entered into a prescribed place,” Ms Carter said.

Matt David James Smith-Howell pictured in Gypsy Joker colours. Picture: Facebook

“A term of imprisonment must be imposed unless there are exceptional circumstances.”

Magistrate Panagiotidis ordered a home detention suitability report.

“I want to make it crystal clear that by ordering the report so that in the event the issue of home detention becomes relevant, the report is available,” she said.

“This is not a promise or any indication of what any subsequent penalty might be.”

Smith-Howell has been bailed to a Yahl address on the outskirts of Mount Gambier and the matter was adjourned until August.