Alleged Descendants bikie Mark Barford seeks release on bail a year after police find gun disguised as Christmas present
An alleged Descendants bikie has asked to be released due to deteriorating health, a year after being arrested over a gun.
Police & Courts
Don't miss out on the headlines from Police & Courts. Followed categories will be added to My News.
An alleged Descendants bikie is seeking release from prison almost a year after being arrested over a loaded gun which was wrapped as a Christmas present, a court has heard.
Police intending to serve Mark Barford, 57, with a firearms prohibition order instead allegedly heard him instructing his son to hide the weapon in a toilet at their Modbury North home.
Nick Vadasz told the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Tuesday his client – who was arrested on December 14, 2019 – was seeking to be released on bail because his health was deteriorating while in prison.
“Mark Barford has a serious medical condition and requires ongoing treatment,” he said.
He said his client suffered cirrhosis, arthritis, a knee injury and “serious psychological issues”.
“At the time of his arrest last year he was due to go in for ongoing operations to repair nerve damage. Those operations have not taken place.”
He said his client’s mental health had been declining after witnessing a motorbike accident in the Northern Territory in mid 2019 where he thought his son had been killed.
“Whilst he has been painted as a member of an outlaw motorcycle gang … your Honour is dealing with a person who is being treated for serious psychological issues,” he said.
“The whole notion of guns and drugs have explanations nowhere near as sinister as the prosecution wishes (the court) accept.”
The court has previously heard officers rang Mark Barford’s mobile and recorded a conversation where he allegedly told his son Adam, 19, to remove a wrapped black and gold package from under the Christmas tree and hide it in the S-bend of the toilet.
When Crime Gangs task force officers raided the house soon after, they allegedly found Adam Barford in the bathroom holding his phone in one hand and the package in the other.
A loaded .22 calibre revolver was found inside.
Mark Barford is yet to enter please to drugs and weapons charges. Adam Barford, who is charged with assisting an offender and drugs charges, was granted bail earlier this year.
Prosecutor Taryn Amos told the court that Mark Barford was a prescribed applicant, meaning he must show special circumstances exist to be eligible for release on bail.
“There are no special circumstances in this case,” she said.
“He has already previously been refused bail on this file … other than the passage of time I don’t see there’s really any difference to the arguments that were led (previously).”
They said aside from the loaded handgun, 67g of methylamphetamine was found under a rainwater tank on the same property. At the time of their arrest, police also alleged ammunition, an expandable baton and crossbow were also hidden at the house.
Mr Vadasz also said he may file an application for “no case” submissions to be heard.
Magistrate David McLeod ordered a home detention bail report. The bail hearing will continue next month.
Major highway closed due to Hazmat incident near WA border
Residents near the SA border with WA have been advised to keep inside with the windows shut as a major highway was closed following a hazmat incident.
Adelaide Hill’s worker’s amputation horror after being trapped in trench
A construction company has learned its fate after a worker was trapped and his leg crushed when a trench collapsed at an Adelaide Hills building site.