Hells Angels Brutal South Chapter: Cops crack down on south coast bikies

Police have declared war on outlaw bikie gangs setting up shop on the state’s south coast. We take a look at the hardened underworld figures they’ve set their targets on.

Bikie-busting police officers have turned their attention to the sleepy south coast over the past 12-months, clamping down on Hells Angels members who have set up camp in coastal communities.

Cops have put members of the Brutal South Chapter of the outlaw motorcycle gang on notice, as they continue to arrest high-ranking members in a bid to smash illegal bikie activity.

Just this week, South Coast Police Detective Inspector Scott Nelson warned that Strike Force Raptor was putting an end organised criminal activity on the South Coast.

Police are cracking down on the south coast arm of the Hells Angels Outlaw Motorcycle Gang.

“We see continually the same group in the Bay and Basin area and we will continue knocking on their doors until we render them impotent,” he said.

“They are known as the ‘Brutal South’ chapter.

“Our message today is: book yourself into the tattoo shop, go in and get it changed to the ‘Futile South’.

“We will get the edge on them, and we will push them out of the South Coast.”

WHO ARE THEY?

The Brutal South Chapter is the south coast arm of the Hells Angels gang, with most of the members living in the Bay and Basin area, which includes the suburbs of Vincentia, Sanctuary Point, Erowal Bay and St Georges Basin.

The president of the Brutal South Chapter is Graeme McGilvray, a 33-year-old dad with ‘HELLS ANGELS’ tattooed down the side of his head.

The president of the Hells Angels South Coast chapter Graeme Anthony McGilvray.

McGilvray was dubbed a “violent offender” in court last year, after he headbutted another man during a ‘disgraceful’ brawl at a packed pub in January of 2020.

He was sentenced to two years in jail to be served in the community on September 11, after a combination of cocaine and alcohol led him to attack a group of ‘Middle Eastern’ men who were “staring at him” at the Huskisson Pub on January 24.

While he was able to walk free from court, he was ordered to complete community service, abstain from drugs and not consume alcohol in any public place.

Anthony McGilvray has escaped jail time after he headbutted another man during a ‘disgraceful’ brawl at a packed pub in January. 

Just this week police charged another high-ranking member of the gang - alleged Sergeant at Arms Steven Balshaw.

Covered in tatts, Balshaw, of the seaside town of Mollymook, was charged with goods suspected stolen in custody of another, two counts of possessing a prohibited drug, and habitually consorting with convicted offenders despite warning, after Strike Force Raptor raids allegedly uncovered steroids, knuckledusters and “paraphernalia relating to outlaw motorcycle gangs”.

He will appear before the courts next month.

Steven Balshaw was arrested in Mollymook on January 20. Picture: NSW Police

In July last year, police arrested Vinnie Italia, an alleged Hells Angels member and a Sanctuary Point associate, after they allegedly detained a man for money.

Police allege Mr Italia, 31, and his mate seriously assaulted a 28-year-old Basin View man in a garage when they allegedly detained him to get money from his bank account.

Det Insp Scott Nelson has vowed to crack down on bikies on the south coast.

OMCG member Mr Italia, of Nowra, was charged with one count of take or detain in company with intent to get an advantage occasioning actual bodily harm. He remains before the courts.

Talking to the media this week, Det-Insp Nelson warned bikies on the coast to expect more arrests, noting traditional “clubhouses” had become a thing of the past due to the hard work of local cops and Strike Force Raptor.

“This is their life. They choose not to integrate with the community and contribute,” Det-Insp Nelson said.

“They think they belong to a group that gives them some sort of calling, but we know the rest of the community, down here on the coast, won’t accept that.”