Suspected Finks bikie Daniel James Sweeny fronts court charged over alleged blackmail attack

A suspected Finks bikie has faced court charged over the alleged violent blackmail attack on a man.

A suspected bikie who allegedly blackmailed, assaulted and threatened another person shouldn’t be released on bail because he could organise for other Finks members to pay a visit to the alleged victim, a court has heard.

Alleged Finks member Daniel James Sweeny, 40, faced the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Monday afternoon charged with blackmail.

Following his arrest on Friday, police said three men went to a Glanville address between March 21 and April 1, and demanded money from the occupant, assaulting him and causing minor injuries.

Following an investigation, officers from Crime Gang Task Force arrested a 40-year-old Davoren Park man.

Police believe Mr Sweeny is a member of the Finks outlaw motorcycle gang.

Prosecutors on Monday told the court they were opposed to any form of bail due to the seriousness of the alleged offending, and Mr Sweeny’s ability to organise for other people to further blackmail the alleged victim.

“Given the charge is for aggravated blackmail which involves the victim being physically assaulted and threatened to have other members of the Finks – which the accused is a member of – attend the victim’s address, I would submit that the fact the accused has access to other people who can intimidate the victim would negate the distance as being a relevant factor for granting bail,” the prosecutor said.

An alleged Finks bikie has faced court charged with blackmail. Picture: Eric Sands

“Given he is a member of this outlaw motorcycle gang, which has a number of members all over the country and the world, he is a high risk of being a flight risk because there are members who in the past have shown a willingness to help a member escape from being before the courts.

“I would also submit that he has a criminal history, including intentionally causing harm. No form of bail would be able to adequately protect the victim from being further assaulted or blackmailed, I would request Your Honour decline providing any form of bail.

Mr Sweeny’s lawyer however said the distance between the proposed bail address and the alleged victim’s home was significant.

“The address for proposed bail is some 18 kilometres from where the alleged victim resides, and I am seeking home detention bail today and in my submission there are conditions that can be put in place to ensure the protection of the alleged victim,” his lawyer said.

“The alleged victim in this matter is unreliable, he lacks credibility and is someone who is known to SA Police. I am instructed that Mr Sweeny can offer the court a guarantor.

“His partner is willing to be a guarantor if the court was to grant him bail.

“In relation to other personal circumstances, Mr Sweeny is a 40-year-old man. He has a protruding disk and he is medicated in relation to that. I understand part of that medication is prescribed cannabis but that would not be prescribed while he is in custody.”

Magistrate Kate White remanded Mr Sweeny in custody to await the outcome of bail address reports.

He will return to court next week.