Emerald council worker uses Rebels connection to threat
An Emerald council worker has been jailed for using his Rebels connections in threats he made against a Sunshine Coast woman.
Central Queensland
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QUEENSLAND's chief magistrate, who has made headlines for his tough approach to alleged bikies since new laws were passed last month, has jailed an Emerald council worker for using his Rebels connections in threats he made against a Sunshine Coast woman.
In Brisbane Magistrates Court, Tim Carmody sentenced Brenton David Jones, 28, to four months jail, suspended the day before Christmas for 18 months.
Jones, a fitter and turner at the Central Highlands Council, was staying at his parents' Buderim home last Friday to get treatment for a degenerative back condition, when he threatened to smash a neighbour's phone, bomb her house and kill her dog and family.
"You butted into something that didn't concern you and were so eager to get involved, (your) own mother had to resist (your) attempts to intervene," Mr Carmody said.
"Enlisting the spectre of the Rebels motorcycle gang to underline the gravity of the threats was a particularly sinister and menacing circumstance in the current Queensland climate."
Mr Carmody made a two-year non-contact order to ensure Jones stayed away from the woman.
Defence barrister Catherine Cuthbert had earlier told the court Jones admitted he had associated with the Rebels' Emerald chapter but claimed he was not a member. Jones said he was just "hanging around" with them.