Bandidos southwest Sydney president Ben Williamson escapes jailtime after brawl with Rebels at Penrith pub
A bikie president disrespected by a rival gang member on the streets of southwest Sydney only weeks later found himself face-to-face with the man in a “savage” brawl that has landed almost a dozen men in court.
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A turf war between two western Sydney bikie gangs has landed almost a dozen men in court after a “savage and uncontrollable” brawl broke out at a well-known Penrith pub, a court has heard.
Members of the Bandidos and Rebel Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs are alleged to have been involved in the wild brawl at the Wallacia Hotel, a notorious bikie bar in Sydney’s western suburbs.
The altercation, which involved current and former members, began after Bandidos South-West Chapter president Ben Williamson was stopped in July 2022 at a Campbelltown service station by a rival gang member, court documents reveal.
Williamson was approached by alleged Rebels OMCG member Michael Fetui who allegedly removed Williamson’s patches after an altercation. Such an act is considered “disrespect of the highest level”, according to agreed police facts.
The incident came only months after Williamson and the Bandidos had launched a “probationary chapter” in Campbelltown and the city’s southwest, areas historically considered to be territory of the Rebels.
On August 5, the two men were again face-to-face after Bandidos OMCG member Trent Redmond and another man spotted Fetui and four Rebels OMCG members at Wallacia Hotel, agreed police facts tendered to court during Williamson’s sentencing reveal.
After half an hour, the two groups readied to fight and formed an ordered line inside the bar facing each other, court documents reveal.
After some words, both groups left for the carpark.
“Each man stood in their own respective gang and at a distance of approximately 2m between the groups,” agreed police facts reveal.
“[The men] engaged in a verbal altercation (...) and [allegedly] stood in a fighting position with their fists clenched.”
Lasting only three minutes, the ensuing fight was described by police as “savage, reckless, and completely incontrollable”.
At one point, a Rebels OMCG member walked towards Bandidos OMCG member Haumono Uepi.
Both men kicked and punched one another before separating only moments later.
A number of similar altercations broke out while Williamson “paced back and forth”, agreed police facts reveal.
“For some time, Williamson floated between all groups and seemingly waited for the right time to begin,” police facts state.
“At one point, Williamson and Fetui [allegedly] faced each other with fists raised, however separated soon after.”
Williamson assaulted two members of the Rebels OMCG during the fight, one of whom was already engaged in a fight with Uepi.
Williamson punched the man several times to the back of the head before being tackled to the ground and losing his shirt.
The altercation, which unfolded in full view of hotel patrons – including families and children, stopped shortly after and the groups disbanded.
Days later, police raided Williamson’s Parramatta home where they seized Bandidos OMCG paraphernalia.
The 34-year-old self-presented to Narellan police station where he was charged with affray and participation in criminal activity.
Appearing at Penrith Local Court on Friday, Williamson’s lawyer said the father-of-two had a longstanding issue with alcohol and violence.
The court heard Williamson was found in breach of court orders relating to two separate sentences for violence, unrelated to alleged gang activity.
Williamson’s lawyer told the court the participants in the Wallacia Hotel fight were “willing”, and that there were no recorded injuries.
In sentencing, Magistrate Fiona Toose told Williamson, who now operates a roofing business, to “grow up”.
Williamson was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment in the community, and will be barred from contacting certain Bandidos OMCG members. He will also be banned from wearing OMCG paraphernalia, accessing encrypted applications, or having more than one phone.
In total, five men involved in the brawl appeared on Friday, with two being slapped with similar sentences.
Christopher Forbes was sentenced to a 12 month prison term in the community for affray and participation in criminal activity.
The central coast man had only planned to go to dinner when he became ensnared in the conflict, according to his lawyer.
Haumono Uepi, 34, was also sentenced to a 12 month prison term to be served in the community, and was ordered to “focus on his family”.
“You’re well entrenched in that club and are good friends with the president,” Ms Toose said.
“If you get into a brawl every time one of your mates does, you’re going to go to jail.”
Uepi had already served four months behind bars on remand in relation to the brawl.
He was charged with riot, affray, and participation in criminal activity.
The other four men had riot charges withdrawn by police.
Nathan Delforce, 30, was charged with affray, participation in criminal activity, and two counts of possessing a restricted substance.
He pleaded guilty to the charges but had his case adjourned for sentencing until February 24.
Trent Redmond, 33, also pleaded guilty and was due in court for sentencing, but also had his matters adjourned for a psychologist’s report.
Redmond’s lawyer said the former Bandidos member had attempted self harm and was no longer involved with the gang.
He will reappear before Penrith Local Court on March 17 for sentencing.
Alleged Rebels OMCG members Matthew Haeusler, Michael Fetui, Sami Hamalainen, have been charged with affray, participating in criminal activity, and riot. The trio are currently still before the courts, and will reappear before Parramatta Local Court on March 17.
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