Siaosi Mokofisi: Ex-Rebels bikie pleads guilty to participating in criminal group which was linked to 2016 gangland murders

A former outlaw bikie – who once associated with members of the notorious ‘Murder Crew’ hit squad – has faced court to be sentenced for his previous sins as a member of Sydney’s criminal underbelly.

A reformed outlaw bikie – who once ran with members of the ruthless Murder Inc crew – has faced court for his role in Sydney’s underworld which did not include any killings.

After three years with the Rebels bikie gang, Siaosi Tavake Fotu Mokofisi made the life-changing decision to leave.

Now, the former bikie has pleaded guilty to participating in a criminal group, after turning his life around to work as a labourer, raise a family and start an online clothing line.

The guilty plea refers to the 35-year-old West Ryde man’s time inside the Rebels gang between January 2014 and November 2016 at Sydney Olympic Park and other places in NSW.

Crown prosecutor David Patch told Downing Centre District Court the investigation that brought Mokofisi and his co-accused, Xiu Yuan Zhu, to court, were related to a group of killings.

Siaosi Mokofisi leaves Downing Centre District Court.

“None of the accused played any role in the murders,” Mr Patch said. “These sentences are a spin-off from that wider trial — it’s the gangland stuff.”

Those murders were the 2016 killings of Pasquale Barbaro, Mehmet Yilmaz and Michael Davey.

Siaosi Mokofisi was part of the Rebels gang for three years

Siar Munshizada and another man were sentenced to consecutive life sentences in the NSW Supreme Court last year.

The gang, known as “Murder Crew” or “Murder 13”, which killed the three men in meticulously planned executions on suburban streets.

Two references called by Mokofisi’s defence lawyer, John Peluso, spoke highly of Mokofisi’s contribution to the community since leaving the gang.

They said his time was spent working, coaching junior footy and with family, and he had not associated with anyone from his criminal life in years.

Judge Sarah Norton said her sentence would reflect the fact Mokofisi was “involved in a very sinister gang” but not reverse the progress he had made.

The court also heard how much of the Rebels’ illegal activity operated out the Five Dock office of Zhu, a 34-year-old from Wentworth Point.

Mr Patch said agreed facts showed Zhu was not a member of the Rebels gang but associated with its senior members for three years.

“His office was used (for gang members to) pick up drugs, money and guns,” he said.

Zhu’s defence lawyer argued there was no evidence her client was involved in the pick up or drop off of drugs, but Judge Norton said he still profited financially from the enterprise.

Mokofisi will be sentenced at Downing Centre District Court later today. His co-accused, Zhu, will be sentenced at the same court on February 24.

Zhu also pleaded guilty to one count of participating in a criminal group.