Broadbeach bikie brawl was sparked by love triangle

MANY a war has been fought for the love of a woman. And so it goes with the Gold Coast's own bikie battle.

THE violent bikie brawl which sparked an unprecedented State Government crackdown began with nothing more than two men fighting over the same girl.

Senior bikie sources have told The Courier-Mail the riot that broke out at Gold Coast restaurant Aura was a love triangle that turned violent - not a criminal gang turf war.

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The brawl triggered an unprecedented $20 million government and police crackdown after Bandidos held siege to the Southport police station, demanding the release of their associates who had been arrested during the restaurant fight.

So far, police have charged 27 Bandidos with 30 offences, including 18 of rioting, six of obstructing police, five of public nuisance and a single charge of disorderly behaviour.

Two Finks have been charged with affray.

It is understood tensions spilled over when senior Bandido Jacques Teamo, 42, began dating the ex-girlfriend of Jason Trouchet, 39.

Trouchet, a long-time friend of Finks terror team member Nick "The Knife" Forbes, is a former pro boxer who never lost a fight.

Sources claim Teamo made a heated phone call to Trouchet about the woman and Trouchet attacked him in return.

Bikies say Teamo was twice bashed before gathering together dozens of Bandido associates to have his revenge on Trouchet at the restaurant late last month.

But Teamo's apparent ­revenge appeared to have left Trouchet unharmed.

The bikie associate taunted his attackers outside court, claiming he and his friend Matthew Sward, 25, outdid up to 60 Bandidos.

"Do you see a mark on my face?'' he asked reporters. "They were outnumbered.''

Trouchet was granted bail after being charged with affray on the condition he go home to the Northern Territory and stay away from the Gold Coast.

The love tangle was hinted at by Trouchet's lawyer Jason Jacobsen when he appeared in court on September 30.

"Mr Trouchet was apparently having a relationship with someone associated with Mr Teamo,'' Mr Jacobsen said.

"They had some other ­altercation months ago.''

He told the court his client denied being a member of an outlaw motorcycle gang and the brawl had nothing to do with "some sort of bikie war''. Other clubs are said to be furious a fight "over a girl'' has brought suchunwanted attention.

"They're not too popular right now,'' one member said.

In other related bikie news yesterday, two Bandidos bikies charged with riot in relation to a Gold Coast street brawl have been ­released on bail but ordered to stay away from the tourist destination.

Zivko Stojakovic, 26, and Benjamin Joseph Thornton, 23, surrendered themselves to police on Tuesday.

They were charged with rioting with other Bandidos members in relation to the alleged riot at the Aura Tapas and Lounge Bar on Queensland Ave that spilled on to the streets.

The Brisbane Magistrates Court heard neither of the men had been seen entering the restaurant on CCTV or involved in the alleged brawl on September 27.

Police said the two men had been seen in CCTV outside the restaurant and a black BMW owned by Stojakovic was seen nearby.

In applying for bail, lawyer Peter Shields said it was "crystal clear" from the evidence provided that Stojakovic didn't go into the restaurant or take part in any altercation and his client had no case to answer in relation to the charge of riot.

The pair were granted bail by magistrate Bevan Manthey

The matters have been adjourned to October 23 in Southport Magistrates Court.

- Josh Robertson, Kate Kyriacou, Greg Stolz

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