Former bikie Charlie Barakat sentenced for Blacktown shop fires

A northwest Sydney bikie chapter had egg on their faces after they conducted a botched firebombing on a halal butcher and a tattoo parlour – neither of which were related to their gang rivals.

Former Finks bikie Charlie Barakat at Blacktown Local Court.

It was amateur hour for a bikie gang’s northwest Sydney chapter as a senior figure orchestrated a shambolic firebombing attack on a halal butcher and a tattoo parlour – neither of which were connected to their gang rivals.

Intercepted texts reveal former senior Finks bikie Charlie Barakat hoped to send a powerful message to his Mongols gang rivals when he directed two prospective members to light up Blacktown Tattoo Studios in June 2021.

Court documents reveal the prospectives first failed to break into the Sunnyholt Rd parlour, instead pouring fuel under the damaged security door, lighting it, and causing just over $1700 damage.

But police believe the hapless pair targeted Blacktown Halal Meats next door in error – causing more than $21,000 damage between the external bathroom, wiring and stock ruined when the power went out.

The final humiliation for the Finks’ Castle Hill chapter was that neither business was actually connected to their intended targets – the Mongols.

Charlie Barakat and his wife at Parramatta Local Court in October 2022.

“There is a historic link from the tattoo parlour through a previous owner to the Mongols outlaw motorcycle gang,” police state in court documents.

“However, the business was sold in 2013 and the current owner of the business states there are no links to any outlaw motorcycle gang.”

Barakat, now 41, has since left his bikie life behind – but he will be dealing with the resounding consequences for the next two years after admitting to planning the attack.

At Blacktown Local Court on May 17, Barakat pleaded guilty to being an accessory before the fact to intentionally or recklessly damaging property by fire or explosive on June 22, 2021.

Court documents reveal police netted Barakat after seizing his phone and examining his texts throughout the month in question.

On June 14, Barakat texted a picture of himself in Finks colours outside the tattoo parlour to another senior gang member, saying he was “ready to go”.

“To ezy (sic) my brother, handle ya business, f--k the Mongols,” the senior bikie texted Barakat.

“F--ken oath done my brother,” Barakat replied.

Barakat following his 2021 arrest. Picture: NSW Police

At court, Magistrate Aaron Tang acknowledged Barakat was affected by drug, alcohol and mental health issues – including post-traumatic stress from his military career – when the firebombing occurred, and had since left the Finks.

“You were at the top of the hierarchy and there was a significant degree of planning involved,” Mr Tang said.

“You have otherwise had periods of positive contribution to the community, including through your service in the Australian Defence Force.”

Mr Tang also acknowledged Barakat had already undertaken significant community service under a community corrections order he received in December for directing a criminal group.

That charge pertained to activities conducted by Castle Hill Finks at Barakat’s behest as a senior member of the bikie chapter.

“Hopefully that is part of your road to Damascus, going down a different path than this life with the Finks,” Mr Tang said.

“You can give back to the community by way of serving to encourage others not to go down the road you’ve previously been on with the Finks.”

Barakat was convicted and sentenced to a two-year intensive corrections order, with community service, supervision and orders not to associate with any bikies, attend any bikie-related premises or possess any bikie colours.