Jamie Saliba: Rebels bikie jailed over western Sydney police chase while armed with a loaded gun
A suicidal “rampage” has ended in jail time for a high-ranking Rebels bikie after he was convicted of a police chase on his Harley Davidson. But Jamie Saliba has declared enough is enough with a court hearing of his plans to turn his back on gang life for good.
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A senior western Sydney Rebels bikie Jamie Saliba plans to leave the gang life behind after being convicted of a dangerous police pursuit while being armed with a loaded pistol.
The 31-year-old Penrith City Rebels bikie gang member was jailed a maximum of three years after he led police on a reckless chase during a suicidal “rampage” last year.
The Schofields resident pleaded guilty to a string of charges, including failing to stop and driving recklessly (police pursuit), possessing an unauthorised pistol and possessing a pistol in contravention of a firearms prohibition order.
He also pleaded guilty to further offences of possessing a defaced firearm, possessing a prohibited weapon without a permit, acquiring ammunition subject to a firearms prohibition order and driving a vehicle without registration plates or p-plates.
Saliba was arrested on the evening of March 25, 2019, after he failed to stop for an unmarked police car on Richmond Rd, Dean Park after his motorbike was observed without rego plates.
According to court documents, Saliba accelerated away from police at speed and drove into oncoming traffic on Richmond Rd, causing other drivers to serve to avoid a crash.
After driving off into a reserve in Glendenning, Saliba crashed his bike into a dry creek bed, where he was arrested by police a short time later.
A loaded Glock pistol was discovered by police during a search of the ditch the following morning.
At sentencing hearing earlier this month, shocking details emerged about Saliba acquiring the gun in the days before the pursuit with the intention of ending his own life.
An argument between Saliba and his partner on the morning of March 25 had “tipped him over the edge”, the court heard, and triggered the suicidal episode.
Drugged up on Xanax, Saliba was involved in a crash later that morning, which led him to check into Mt Druitt Hospital, but he left hospital before receiving treatment.
At the time of the chase, Saliba was on his way to take his own life at a nearby cemetery by using the pistol, the court heard.
In sentencing at Penrith District Court on Wednesday, Judge Sharon Harris described Saliba’s reasons for possessing the gun as one of “fanciful convenience” however conceded it was likely on the balance of evidence tendered to the court.
Judge Harris said a psychiatrist’s report outlying Saliba’s struggles with mental illness and suicidal ideation supported his version of events on the night of the chase.
A text exchange between Saliba and a friend on a mobile phone obtained while he was in custody, further supported his claims of deteriorating mental health.
“I accept the offender was in a poor state of mental health at the time he committed the offences,” Ms Harris said.
She also accepted evidence provided by Saliba to a psychiatrist that he had at one point put the gun to his head, but was not able to pull the trigger.
The court heard Saliba had a lengthy criminal history, largely connected to his associations with the Rebels.
Despite being a member of the gang for a decade, Mr Saliba spoke of his plans to leave the Rebels behind and start a new life away from Sydney with his young family.
“I plan on leaving the Rebels,” Saliba was quoted as advising a psychiatrist.
“I am 30 with a wife and two kids, it is time for me to grow up.”
The court also heard Saliba had amassed seven offences while in custody since his last arrest and was classed as an extreme high security inmate because of gang associations.
He was given a four-month sentence on a prior occasion for possessing a mobile phone in custody.
Despite his history, Ms Harris took into account Saliba’s motivations to “put things behind him” as a positive sign of his rehabilitation.
He was sentenced to a non-parole period of 18 months and will be eligible for release as early as October.
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