Charlie Barakat, Jack Baum: Alleged Finks bikies in court after Blacktown tattoo shop fire

Two alleged high-ranking bikies are fighting criminal charges after a fire caused $24,000 worth of damage to a popular western Sydney tattoo parlour and neighbouring business.

Two alleged high-ranking Finks bikies are pleading not guilty after being charged following a fire at a Blacktown tattoo parlour in June.

Outlaw motorcycle gang members Charlie Barakat and Jack Baum were charged after

Raptor Squad detectives swooped on their homes in northwest Sydney in November as part of an investigation into the blaze at the Sunnyholt Rd shop in the early hours of June 22.

Mr Barakat, 39, was arrested at his Castle Hill property on November 4 when they also arrested Mr Baum during a search of the 29-year-old man’s Box Hill home.

The men were taken to Castle Hill police station and each charged with knowingly and recklessly direct criminal group assist crime, and damage property by fire (greater than $15,000).

Cops arrest a Finks member at Box Hill as they investigate a Blacktown tattoo parlour fire. Picture: NSW Police

Police allege in court documents about $24,000 damage was caused to the tattoo studio and neighbouring Blacktown Halal Meats.

The pair was refused bail and appeared at Parramatta Local Court, where they were granted conditional bail to next appear at the same court on Thursday.

Mr Baum was excused from appearing but his lawyer told the court his client would plead not guilty before the matter was adjourned to Blacktown Court on January 27.

Mr Barakat did appear at Parramatta Local Court where his lawyer Yvette Kobayaty said he would also fight the charges of allegedly setting the parlour ablaze.

The matter was adjourned to Blacktown Court on December 23.

Ms Kobayaty also requested a bail review for a separate matter from September.

Finks member Charlie Barakat will fight charges. Picture: NSW Police

Ms Kobayaty told the court Mr Barakat’s mother was terminally ill and requested he would need his curfew adjusted to be present for cultural customs when she died.

“Unfortunately his mother is terminally ill and unfortunately her life expectancy is to end any day now moving forward,’’ she said.

The court also heard Mr Barakat, who operates a scaffolding company that carries out several government projects, had to have hours adjusted so he could carry out jobs as a site supervisor.

Magistrate Peter Feather reduced his reporting days to a police station on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday between 10pm and 5am.

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