Finks bikie Michael Williams pleads not guilty to brawls at Merewether and Shoal Bay pubs
A Finks bikie has fronted court over two alleged violent hotel brawls in the Hunter that sparked a major police crackdown, with Raptor Squad investigators expecting more arrests to follow.
A Finks bikie accused of his role in brawls at two Hunter pubs has pleaded not guilty and will defend the charges.
Michael Robert Williams from Kurri Kurri was arrested last week and charged with two counts of affray related to separate alleged violent incidents, one at Merewether on November 1 and another in Shoal Bay on November 8.
He is also facing a drug supply charge which court documents state relate to one gram of cocaine and a charge of failure to comply with digital evidence access order directions.
The 36-year-old who was previously granted conditional bail fronted Kurri Kurri Local Court on Tuesday morning where he pleaded not guilty to all charges and will return to court in January for a hearing to be scheduled.
His lengthy bail conditions include him being prohibited from wearing, possessing or displaying any insignia, patches or other merchandise depicting the name of an OMCG.
Williams must also not possess more than one mobile phone, not have any encrypted messaging applications including Snapchat and consume any drugs or alcohol unless prescribed.
He is also subject to a curfew from 8pm until 5am and has a non-association order with other bikies or prospect members.
Williams is one of nine Finks bikies charged after Raptor Squad investigators raided seven properties across Lake Macquarie, Cessnock and Maitland on November 19.
It followed a report by a 25-year-old woman that she had been touched by an unknown man on three separate occasions at the Prince of Merewether Hotel on November 1 as well as a fight at the same pub, where one man allegedly armed themselves with a knife.
The following weekend, Port Stephens-Hunter Police investigated an alleged brawl at the Shoal Bay Country Club, where it’s believed a group of men attacked other patrons standing outside the venue.
Police allege the men involved in the sexual touching and affrays were identified to be members of the Finks OMCG.
Shawn Edward Herbert, 38, and Tyson Bellette, 28, faced Bail Division Court on November 20 after their arrest at a house in Maitland.
Bellette faces charges of possessing an unauthorised pistol, possessing or using a prohibited weapon without permit, and drug supply, while Herbert is charged with affray relating to the Shoal Bay incident, and two firearm charges.
During a bail hearing last week, the court heard there was CCTV footage allegedly showing Herbert getting into a fight at Shoal Bay, before security attempted to break it up.
It was also heard an unknown liquid believed to be a steroid and a gel blaster were allegedly seized at the Maitland premises.
Both men were given conditional bail which included a booze and licensed premises ban and nightly curfew and will next appear in court on December 3.
That same day fellow Finks bikie Damon Di Stefano and Di Stefano’s partner Tearna Dargan also appeared in court.
Di Stefano is facing ten firearm offences, using an offensive weapon in company and affray and did not apply for bail while Dargan, 26, charged with three firearm offences pleaded guilty and was granted conditional bail to be sentenced on December 3.
A police search of her Windale residence allegedly uncovered a-12 gauge semiautomatic gun that was hidden in a couch in the living room.
Four others were also arrested and charged following the raids including a 33-year-old man at North Rothbury
He was charged with two counts of affray, possessing a prohibited drug, and failing to comply digital evidence access order direction before being granted conditional bail to appear in Singleton Local Court on November 27.
In Rutherford, police arrested a 40-year-old Finks member and charged him with sexually touch another person without consent.
He was also granted conditional bail to appear in Maitland Local Court on December 10.
Further arrests were made at Bellbird, where a 32-year-old man was charged with affray while a 34-year-old man was charged with multiple weapon offences and drug possession.
Police are continuing their investigations and expect more arrests to follow.
More Coverage
Originally published as Finks bikie Michael Williams pleads not guilty to brawls at Merewether and Shoal Bay pubs
