Former Rebel bikie Jack Laidlaw jailed for assault, drug supply and intimidation

A former Rebels bikie had drugs in his car when he smashed into a parked trailer and punched its owner in a bid to stop the cops being called. He’s now been sentenced.

Jack Laidlaw was jailed at Newcastle District Court on Tuesday. Supplied Amy Ziniak

A court has heard a former Rebels bikie was “not a hopeless” case despite spending most of his life behind bars in the last seven years.

Jack Laidlaw was on parole when he punched a man on the side of the road at Cessnock on August 4 last year because he didn’t want him to call the cops after he smashed into the back of his trailer.

The 27-year-old had more than 23 grams of heroin stashed in his silver Audi along with prescriptions and an ice pipe as well as being on parole and only a learner driver.

Laidlaw pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm, two counts of intimidation, drug supply, negligent driving, fail to give particulars to another driver after a collision, not displaying L plates and being a learner not accompanied by another driver.

In Newcastle District Court on Tuesday, defence barrister Bill Hussey said his client had a serious drug problem but if he was given a “crushing term”, the prospects he did have could be destroyed.

Rebels bikie Jack Laidlaw. Picture: Facebook

Mr Hussey said Laidlaw’s response to case management was “positive”, the former concreter had aspirations to become a personal trainer and was currently training inmates while in custody.

“He’s the sort of fellow that needs to be occupied. There is a prospect for him in the future,” Mr Hussey told the court.

The Crown solicitor said the court needed to be guarded in his prospects of rehabilitation and said he had lack of engagement in the past which was a concern for reoffending.

Judge Peter McGrath said it was a “unprovoked attack” but arose “spontaneously”.

He said the court accepted there was some remorse shown by Laidlaw who was battling issues with his mental health.

He was jailed for three years with a non parole period of 20 months.

The court heard when Laidlaw smashed into a trailer parked on Jurd St that day it was because he was distracted by his partner’s phone and “wasn’t paying attention”.

When the owner of the trailer wanted to call the police, the 27-year-old yelled: “Don’t f--king call the cops,” before he punched the 54-year-old in the jaw.

The court heard he also got on top of the victim and punched him multiple times and put him in a choke hold before the man bit him.

After a bystander rushed in to help, Laidlaw got off the victim and ran off, leaving behind his “dazed” partner, who also fled the scene.

Officers found his partner walking on a nearby street who claimed: “He ran off, he left me.”

They later found Laidlaw hiding in the wardrobe of an address at Aston Ave, Cessnock, where he was arrested.

Officers raided the property and found scales, resealable bags and various paperwork in the bedroom.