Jamie Saliba: Rebels bikie president planned to kill himself during police chase
Startling details have emerged about high-ranking Rebels bikie Jamie Saliba and his plans to end his own life when he led police on a dangerous chase in western Sydney last March.
Blacktown
Don't miss out on the headlines from Blacktown. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Oscar Jargiello: Finks bikie jailed over violent Port Macquarie kidnapping
- Marram Mekhael: Mt Druitt woman released on bail after drug charges
A high-ranking Rebels bikie was dosed up on xanax and on his way to shoot himself when he led police on a dangerous chase on his Harley Davidson in western Sydney last year, a court has heard.
Jamie Saliba, 30, of Schofields, president of the western Sydney chapter of the Rebels bikie gang, was in the midst of a suicidal “rampage” and had planned to end his life at a cemetery when he became caught up in the pursuit through Dean Park and Glendenning on March 25, 2019.
The court heard Saliba had come under police notice when he was caught riding his Harley motorcycle without registration plates on Richmond Rd, Dean Park, just before 7pm.
He led police on the chase which on several occasions saw Saliba drive into oncoming traffic.
The chase ended when he crashed his bike into a ditch in Glendenning.
After being arrested he was hospitalised after being deemed acutely unwell.
A loaded Glock pistol belonging to Saliba was found by police discarded in the creek bed the following day.
Details of the days leading up to the chase emerged during a sentence hearing at Penrith District Court on Friday.
The defence said Saliba had been in a state of acute “psychiatric distress”, had taken 50 xanax pills on the morning and had acquired the gun for the sole purpose of “ending his own life”.
The defence added Saliba had been acutely unwell in the weeks prior and had checked himself into hospital several times.
“The evidence does not establish the pistol was possessed in connection with another criminal offence or offences,” the defence said.
“He only possessed a single firearm and the pistol wasn’t brandished or pointed at anyone.”
The court also heard details of Saliba’s bikie gang connections and his struggles to adapt to life out of jail after having spent much of the past decade behind bars.
Citing a sentencing assessment report, the defence said Saliba had plans to downgrade his involvement with the gang and planned to “semi-retire”.
“He wants to move on from the outlaw motorcycle gang, he wants to change his life,” the defence said.
“He’s feeling ready to leave that life behind.”
It was heard that Saliba had expressed a desire to leave Sydney and “move on with his life”.
He had pleaded guilty to a string of charges, including being involved in a police pursuit and driving dangerously or recklessly, possessing a prohibited firearm subject to a firearms prohibition order and possessing an unauthorised pistol.
He has also admitted to secondary ammunition charges, one count of possessing a defaced firearm and possessing a prohibited weapon without a licence or permit.
He will be sentenced later this month.
Lifeline 13 11 14