Graeme McGilvray: Hells Angels bikie escapes jail over Huskisson pub brawl
The south coast president of the Hells Angels has escaped jail over his involvement in a vicious pub brawl, claiming he was under the influence of coke and alcohol at the time. WATCH THE EXCLUSIVE FOOTAGE.
Illawarra Star
Don't miss out on the headlines from Illawarra Star. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- ‘Just a tiny stab’: Man admits stabbing partner’s ex on LSD
- ‘Unnecessarily violent’: Tradie jailed after striking man in parking spat
The president of the Hells Angels south coast chapter has escaped jail time after he headbutted another man during a ‘disgraceful’ brawl at a packed pub in January.
Graeme Anthony McGilvray, 33, was sentenced to two years in jail to be served in the community on September 11, after a combination of cocaine and alcohol led him to attack a group of ‘Middle Eastern’ men who were “staring at him” at the Huskisson Pub on January 24.
McGilvray, who has the Hells Angels logo tattooed to the side of his head, faced Nowra Local Court on Friday, where CCTV footage of the brawl was shown to Magistrate Gabriel Fleming, who described the incident as “appalling”.
“[That footage] … look at that, disgraceful,” she said.
“You’ve got three young sons Mr McGilvray, do you want them going to a pub and seeing that?”.
The wild brawl, which was captured entirely on CCTV, began after the Hells Angel bikie was seen talking to a group of men, who his lawyer said were “staring at him”.
“He went up and asked them ‘what's the problem’ and they invited him out to the carpark,” McGilvray’s defence lawyer told the court.
However, a few moments later the footage showed the group try to walk past McGilvray and his mates, when he lunged forward with his head, “striking” one of the men.
His lawyer told the court McGilvray believed the men were going to “set upon him” and acted in self defence, however Magistrate Fleming rejected the claim.
As security guards attempted to stop the fight, McGilvray could be seen throwing “several punches”, while his shirt was ripped off.
The fight lasted about 35 seconds before security separated the parties.
Security walked McGilvray away in a different direction to the group, but he grabbed a metal stool and started running from security back toward the men.
According to documents tendered to the court, McGilvray re-entered the inside of the premises through a side door and started chasing one of the men.
The footage showed McGilvray sprinting through the hotel, before another 15-second brawl began.
On Friday, McGilvray’s lawyer said his client suffered significant facial injuries in the brawl, but had “really changed his life” following the incident and no longer took drugs or alcohol.
“He knows there is no excuse but the explanation would be that his judgment was clouded by drugs and alcohol,” he said.
He also noted his client had remorse, given he’d entered pleas of guilty to the charge of affray at the earliest opportunity.
Criminal Groups Prosecutor Andrew Bonara labelled McGilvray a “violent offender” and noted his position as a bikie president and history of violent offences.
In handing down her sentence, Magistrate Fleming labelled the offence as “serious” saying “someone looking at you is not a reason for this”.
As part of his two year intensive corrections order, McGilvray was ordered to undertake 200 hours community service, undertake drug and alcohol counselling and abstain from consuming alcohol in a public place.
Another man is also set to face court next month over his alleged involvement in the brawl.