Chris Rymer ‘still an active Rebels bikie’: Court

A judge has denied bail to a former notorious Sydney bikie as he awaits trial on several drug supply and weapons charges. The 29-year-old claims he has turned his back on bikie life - but police allege he is still an active Rebels member.

Former high-ranking Rebels member Chris Rymer, who has been denied bail in the Supreme Court. Picture: Instagram

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A court hearing whether or not a former notorious Sydney bikie should be released on bail ahead of his trial has heard stunning claims from police that his dog-breeding business is a front for money laundering.

Christopher Rymer, a former high-ranking Rebels bikie out of the club’s Penrith chapter, has pleaded not guilty to a series of commercial drug supply and weapons charges and was applying for release ahead of his trial in August.

His defence barrister Jehane Ghabrial told the Supreme Court on Thursday a letter from the officer in charge of investigating his case had made “damaging allegations” regarding her and solicitor Benjamin Jamieson’s conduct as Rymer’s lawyers.

Justice Richard Cavanagh allowed the letter to be tendered but said he would not place weight on that aspect of the opinion of police regarding Rymer’s bail application.

Police are alleging Rymer, pictured, has not turned his back on his ties to the Rebels. Photo: Supplied.

“There are numerous very strong assertions that my solicitor and I have misled the court in respect to a number of matters,” Ms Ghabrial said of the letter.

“Another example of which is an assertion (Rymer’s) dog breeding business is not a real business and is a money laundering exercise which is a completely unsubstantiated assertion.”

Rymer has not been charged with any money laundering offences.

Love, the court heard, was part of the reason why Rymer had left the Rebels.

Ms Ghabrial was objecting to the letter being tendered to Justice Richard Cavanagh claiming it also alleged $50,000 put forward by Rymer’s mum to secure his release was “suspicious”.

Justice Cavanagh also said he would not place any weight on the police claims about money laundering or the surety.

Police are alleging Rymer, 29, is still an active member of the Rebels after finding gang-branded clothing at his home, despite the court hearing he has since had tattoos associated with the club removed or covered up.

He is currently subject to non-association orders relating to the outlaw motorcycle gang which he has never breached, the court was told.

His girlfriend had left him when he joined the Rebels but they had rekindled their love in 2017 when he left the gang, Ms Ghabrial said.

Rymer during his arrest in June 2019.

And his french bulldog. The court heard his dog breeding business could earn him up to $12,000 a pup.

Rymer was arrested last June by the state’s bikie busting Strike Force Raptor detectives at his Sackville home where police allege they located several bags of white powder in a lunch box and a handgun hidden in the wall of the property.

The DNA evidence on the drugs, his defence said, will be a live issue at trial given a number of people were also linked to the items.

No DNA was found on the weapon.

Rymer used to be prolific on Instagram where he chronicled his antics and once posted a picture of a pregnancy test fresh out of jail.

Justice Richard Cavanagh denied Rymer bail citing concerns he would commit further offences and endanger the community.

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