Cheyne Wilkinson: Bra Boy known as Big Bird sentenced to jail

He’s the former senior member of the Bra Boys jailed for threatening cops. But the 38-year-old father has pledged in court to turn his life around and leave his troubled days behind.

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He once was a member of the Bra Boys but now Cheyne “Big Bird” Wilkinson, devoted family man has said he is going straight.

The former senior gang member wants to earn an honest coin as a carpet layer and continue mentoring young boxers, Waverley Local Court heard on Tuesday.

Wilkinson, 38, appeared before Magistrate Jacqueline Trad via audio visual link from behind bars on charges of damaging property, resisting arrest, behaving in an offensive manner and intimidating a police officer.

His lawyer Gabriella Harb of Zahr Partners told the court he had been drinking alcohol and was visiting a mate on June 22 when he accidentally broke a neighbour’s window and then did a runner when police were called.

“He concedes it was foolish to run, he had no reason to run, and it lead him to where he is today,” Ms Harb said.

Wilkinson was on a Community Corrections Order at the time of the offences for a charge of possessing knuckle dusters from June 2019 which he therefore breached.

Ms Harb said he had paid his victim to repair her window and the “loving father” was looking forward to the “steady employment” which he had already been lined up.

“He has a young family who are really feeing the repercussions of his incarceration,” Ms Harb said.

A file photo of Cheyne Geoffrey Wilkinson from 2008.

“He apologises for his actions and understands and realises police are only trying to do their job and he made it harder for them.

“He wants to be a productive member of the community.”

When handing down her sentence, Magistrate Trad noted the offensive language towards the officers which resulted in the intimidation charge included a threat.

“A very significant and pointed threat was made. The threshold for a custodial sentence has been crossed,” Magistrate Trad said.

For the intimidation charge, Wilkinson was sentenced to three months imprisonment.

Taking into account the two months and 16 days already served, he will be released on September 21.

For the damage property charge, a conviction was recorded but no further penalty was given due the window being fixed.

She also imposed a 12 month Community Corrections Order for the charge of behaving offensively.