Named: Gold Coast bikies behind bars and how they got there in the first place
We've identified infamous outlaw motorcycle gang members from the Gold Coast spending time behind bars for horrific crimes – and found out when they'll be freed.
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The Glitter Strip has been synonymous with bikies for decades with lowlights including the 2013 Broadbeach stand off with police.
But depending how you interpret the latest crime statistics, it could appear the tattooed, musclebound exterior of the Gold Coast is diminishing.
Since 2016, the public wearing of bikie club colours in Queensland has been banned – contributing to the perception of fewer outlaw motorcycle gangs (OMCG) on our streets.
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However, Queensland Police Annual Reports data showed a marked decline in the number of OMCG offences since 2015.
There were 3253 of these offences recorded in 2016/17 compared to 1367 in 2020/21.
During the same period, the number of OMCG members charged halved from 534 to 272.
Bond University criminologist Terry Goldsworthy said there were two possible reasons for this – fewer bikies committing crimes or a drop in police resources.
“The more police resources you put into policing a certain group, the more offending you will find,” Dr Goldsworthy said.
“I think we have seen a move away from some of the resources we saw dedicated in 2014.
“The last figures I saw, there were about 740 (OMCG) members still in Queensland.
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“Back in 2013 we had 915, so you’ve had about a 20 per cent reduction in numbers.”
But he noted Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission data found the overall number of bikies members across Australia had increased since 2012.
“It may be the fact that they are going to other locations – it’s a possibility that they may just be relocating out of Queensland.”
A police spokeswoman said the Organised Crime Gangs Group, including Gold Coast-based Taskforce Maxima officers, were continuing to target OMCGs.
“Police use every legal mechanism available to dismantle and disrupt the illegal, anti-social and violent behaviours associated with outlaw motorcycle groups,” she said.
“OMCG numbers have declined in Queensland since the introduction of the Serious and Organised Crime legislation, with the Queensland laws and success of ongoing police operations disrupting OMCGs’ ability to expand criminal networks.”
Here are three Gold Coast bikies who remain behind bars:
Mark James Graham
Release date: Not before 2022
Mongols bikie Mark Graham was jailed for 12 years and three months for shooting an innocent woman during a fight with a rival at Robina Town Centre.
On September 30 2014, a jury found him guilty of the attempted murder of ex-Bandido Jacques Teamo and the unlawful wounding of shopper Kathy Devitt when he opened fire at the crowded Robina Town Centre at 1.46pm on April 28, 2012.
Sentences above 10 years automatically attract a serious violent offender declaration, where the prisoner must serve at least 80 per cent of the sentence before being eligible for parole.
Graham was a former member of the Finks MC before patching over to the Mongols in 2013.
Ben Geppert
Release date: Due to be released on parole in December last year
Ben “Notorious” Geppert rose to prominence when he began posting his life obsessively on Instagram.
In the Southport District Court last year, Geppert pleaded guilty to two counts of assault occasioning bodily harm and one count each of burglary at night, demanding property with menaces and breaching bail.
The 29-year-old sold his friend of three months a quarter of an ounce of the drug ice for $1500 in late August last year, but was paid only $1000.
When the remaining money was not paid Geppert sent his friend a picture of a gun.
He then attacked his friend outside his home on September 2 last year, the court heard.
His friend had suspicions the drug provided was not ice as it had dissolved before he could smoke it.
Geppert told his friend the drug debt had gone up to $2000.
About six hours later he returned to the man’s Broadbeach home, smashed a glass door and beat his friend, saying the debt had risen to $3000.
The man suffered a cut that needed stitches.
The victim’s roommate helped the victim get $2400 cash together and a Rolex was given as collateral.
Police were contacted and planned to meet Geppert in Broadbeach under the guise the man was providing the additional cash.
Geppert fled but was picked up four days later in northern New South Wales.
Judge Catherine Muir sentenced Geppert to three years’ prison with parole release on December 3, 2021.
Lionel Patea
Release date: Not before May 29, 2048
Former Bandido bikie Lionel Patea bludgeoned Gold Coast woman Tara Brown to death with a fire hydrant cover after running her off the road on September 8, 2015.
He was sentenced to life in jail.
Triple-0 operators were forced to listen on as Ms Brown was beaten to death in Molendinar while she was trapped in the wreckage of her mangled car.
Before her death, Ms Brown was screaming for help as she was chased and rammed by a black Jeep being driven by Patea.
Bikie Patea pleaded guilty to the murder of Ms Brown, 24, and later admitted to being part of a group which beat pool builder Greg Dufty to death in the Gold Coast Hinterland.
When he was being sentenced for the brutal murder of Ms Brown, Patea, who converted to Islam, asked to be “ultimately judged by God”.
Patea will not be released from prison before May 29, 2048.
– additional reporting from Kay Dibben
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