Former Bandidos bikie Ashur Durbridge sentenced for scuffle with gang boss

A former Bandidos bikie, who withdrew his club membership after spending almost four months behind bars, has been sentenced for a punch-on with a gang president.

Ashur Durbridge, left, leaving Downing Centre Local Court with high-profile lawyer Ahmed Dib on Wednesday.

A former Bandidos bikie withdrew his club membership after spending almost four months behind bars for a punch-on with a gang president near Darling Harbour.

Ashur Durbridge was represented by high-profile lawyer Ahmed Dib at Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday where he was sentenced to a two-year community correction order (CCO) for assault and failing to comply with a digital evidence access order direction.

The 23-year-old was also convicted for contravening an apprehended domestic violence order after pleading guilty to each charge.

Agreed facts state he was with a group at the Elements Bar and Grill in Pyrmont in April last year when Bandidos southwest Sydney chapter president Ben Williamson quickly approached the group and gestured for Durbridge to “come to him”.

Bandidos southwest Sydney chapter president Ben Williamson. Picture: Nathan Schmidt

Ashur Durbridge was sentenced to a two-year community correction order at Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday.

As Williamson was walking towards the exit, Durbridge “immediately rose … in rage” and attempted to approach him.

The pair “eventually” left and agreed facts revealed they soon appeared to have a “verbal dispute” while patrons and staff were overlooking.

One staff member called the police.

Durbridge’s friend tried “to de-escalate the situation”, but they continued to argue “face-to-face”.

Minutes later Durbridge approached Williamson, resulting in an altercation.

They walked further down the street with both men grabbing hold of each others’ torso while exchanging punches.

Police located everyone except Durbridge at the scene a short time later.

Raptor Squad officers executed a search warrant at Oran Park in May last year and found him with his partner where he was arrested and taken to Narellan police station.

Police, after being granted a digital evidence access order, directed Durbridge to provide his mobile passcode, however, he did not comply.

Mr Dib told the court on Wednesday his client had a troubled childhood, saying he became involved with the Bandidos because some of “these people find solace in the wrong … crowd”.

“[He has] withdrawn his patch membership … [and] no longer part of the Bandido bikie club,” he said.

After Durbridge’s arrest, Mr Dib said he spent almost four months in custody which could be seen as a “silver lining” and had remained offence free.

Magistrate Miranda Moody accepted there was “some provocation” as Mr Dib appealed for a CCO.

During sentencing, Ms Moody acknowledged Durbridge’s mental health, however highlighted his “escalating” criminal history, saying he was serving a CCO when committing this offence.

“He’s getting so close to full-time custody it’s not funny,” she said.

“I note that he spent three months and 27 days in custody … [and] got a taste of things to come if he continues [offending].”

Along with the two-year CCO, Durbridge was fined $1100 for failing to give police access to his phone.

Williamson was sentenced to seven months in jail with a two month non-parole period for affray, and a two-year CCO for failing to comply with a digital evidence access order direction, last year.