Saleh Atasoy pleads guilty to pointing gun at driver during wild Gold Coast road rage incident

A one-time alleged bikie who fled across the border after pointing a pistol at another driver and chasing him through Gold Coast streets has learnt his fate.

A one-time alleged bikie who fled Queensland after pulling a gun on another man during a wild road rage outburst claims he carried the weapon because he needed to protect himself.

Saleh Atasoy spent weeks on the run after the shocking confrontation on the Gold Coast on November 24 last year.

Southport Magistrates Court was told another driver beeped his horn and raised his hands in disbelief after Atasoy cut across lanes of traffic to push in front of him approaching a roundabout along Nerang Broadbeach Rd.

Prosecutor Rodney Keyte said there was a heated verbal exchange before Atasoy drew a pistol and pointed it straight at the other man.

Mr Keyte said the other driver sped off, fearing for his safety, with Atasoy giving chase in a “game of cat and mouse” until his target stopped to await police.

Saleh Atasoy

The court was told CCTV footage showed Atasoy parking at a Mermaid Waters property about half an hour later, quickly ducking off camera to remove the ankle monitor he was required to wear while on bail.

Police were unable to track down Atasoy for weeks after the incident, with the search moving into NSW. The 38-year-old was found in Sydney in January and extradited back over the border.

It was alleged during the search that Atasoy was a member of the Lone Wolf OMCG.

Atasoy had spent the almost 10 months since his arrest in custody, with his partner among several supporters watching on from the courtroom gallery.

Defence barrister Matt Hynes, instructed by Sans Law, said his client suffered PTSD after numerous traumatic events – including watching his friend be killed in front of him and later giving evidence at trial – and feared people were “after him”.

Mr Hynes said Atasoy needed to get a handle on his mental health, as the significant amount of time spent behind bars in the past several years was taking its toll on his family and work.

“The totality of the situation he's created for himself is he’s almost missed out on the entirety of the life of his youngest child, and none of that is lost on him,” he said.

Magistrate Jane Bentley said jail time was the only appropriate sentence for Atasoy, who had previously been convicted of less serious firearms offences.

“A member of the public was simply going about his business … he beeped his horn at you and your response was to point a handgun at him from your vehicle and then chase him through the streets,” Ms Bentley said.

Atasoy pleaded guilty to several charges including going armed so as to cause fear, unlawful possession of a Category H weapon, and breaching bail.

He was sentenced to two years and nine months in jail, with parole release on January 22.

Originally published as Saleh Atasoy pleads guilty to pointing gun at driver during wild Gold Coast road rage incident