Ex bikie prize-fighter is no-show for money launder sentencing

A former prize-fighter and key participant in an infamous bikie brawl has narrowly avoided having an arrest warrant issued against him after he failed to turn up to his day in court.

Jason Trouchet with police.

A former prize-fighter and key participant in an infamous bikie brawl has narrowly avoided having an arrest warrant issued against him after he failed to turn up to his sentencing for money laundering, a court has heard.

Jason Trouchet. Picture: Supplied

Jason ‘JT’ Trouchet, 48, was due in the Brisbane District Court on Friday before Judge Michael Byrne to be sentenced on a charge of money laundering knowingly between January 26, 2012 and July 19, 2013 on the Gold Coast, with an alternative lesser charge of money laundering recklessly.

But in court Mr Trouchet’s barrister Greg McGuire told Judge Byrne that his client was 1000km away in Sydney and was sick, handing the judge a report from urological surgeon Lawrence Kim dated October 10.

“It is some issue with his bladder,” Mr McGuire told the court.

Crown prosecutor David Finch told the court he was cynical about Mr Trouchet’s no-show and would ordinarily ask for an arrest warrant.

“But the difficulty I have today is there is some evidence of a background or underlying condition and ...practitioners have been in contact with the medical practice today to confirm that the defendant has in fact attended,” Mr Finch told the court.

“So I’m not in a position to suggest that there is not some sort of issue that needed investigation,” Mr Finch said.

“I won’t issue a warrant at this stage,” Judge Byrne said.

“You might impress upon your client the desirability of travelling the day before,” Judge Byrne told Mr McGuire.

Mr Trouchet, who took part in the infamous Broadbeach bikie brawl, had earlier been set to be sentenced in August.

Judge Byrne will mention the case again on Wednesday morning from the District Court in Townsville.