Harley Barbaro linked to barber shop where Tevita Pangai Jr was busted at the weekend
Alleged Mongols bikie Harley Barbaro, who attended the same barber shop opening as Broncos player Tevita Pangai Jr, has been freed on bail after being charged by police.
Police & Courts
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An alleged Mongols bikie linked to the barber shop where Broncos star Tevita Pangai Jr was busted for breaching the NRL’s COVID-19 bubble at the weekend has been freed on bail after being charged by police.
Harley Barbaro, 27, was arrested by bikie-busting cops from Taskforce Maxima following his attendance at the Windaroo barber shop on Saturday.
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He was charged with breaching bail for offences including consorting with alleged outlaw bikie gang members.
Police opposed bail for Barbaro in Southport Magistrates Court.
Defence barrister Marty Longhurst, instructed by high-profile criminal lawyer Campbell MacCallum, told the court that Barbaro had become the “bogeyman” for Taskforce Maxima.
Mr Longhurst said the arresting officer had described Barbaro as a habitual career criminal despite him having never received anything greater than a fine.
Barbaro had been subjected to vague assertions in the police objection to bail, which was “all sizzle and no steak” with no smoking gun, Mr Longhurst said.
He said Barbaro worked at a Carina barbershop called Black Canvas and was at the opening of a new franchise at Windaroo.
Magistrate Michelle Dooley said she was concerned that Barbaro had breached a bail condition not to have contact with three men.
But she said the bail condition was ‘very vague’ and released Barbaro on bail.
She warned him not to have contact with the three alleged outlaw bikies except in the course of his employment.
Barbaro will face court again on August 27.
Pangai Jr is facing hefty sanctions, including possible suspension and a five-figure fine, for breaking the NRL’s COVID bubble by being at the barber shop.
There is no suggestion he engaged in any illegal activity and has not been charged with any criminal offences.
Outside court, Mr MacCallum said Pangai Jr was not a friend of Barbaro’s or any motorcycle
gang members and went to the barber shop for a haircut.
“He wasn’t aware that there was going to be any other motorcycle group member members there,” he said.
“He seemed to be the innocent collateral damage in all of this.”
Mr MacCallum said he had told police that Barbaro was going to be at the barber shop.
“It seems a little bit unfair that he seems to be constantly harassed and targeted,” he said.