Finks bikie Joshua Miller sentenced over extortion bid in Wodonga

A senior Finks bikie threatened to shoot a man’s dog unless he comply with demands that included handing over cash.

Finks’ bikie Joshua Miller will start his community corrections order on charges of blackmail, possession of ice and receiving stolen goods. Picture: David Crosling

A senior Finks bikie threatened to “cave” a man’s head in and shoot his dog unless the victim complied with demands in a standover tactic aimed at extorting thousands of dollars.

Joshua John Miller was sentenced at the Victorian County Court on Friday after he was charged with blackmail, possession of methylamphetamine and receiving stolen goods.

The 31-year-old was the Finks Wodonga chapter Sergeant-at-Arms when he threatened Michael Brown and William Pollard to tell him the name of the person who had been talking about him.

According to court documents, a work colleague of Mr Brown informed him a bikie by the name of “Josh” believed Mr Brown and Mr Pollard were selling drugs from their Wodonga home.

Mr Brown thought it was a misunderstanding and that he could clear things up if he spoke to Miller.

Finks bikie James Melbourne is awaiting sentence for his role in threatening two Wodonga men and trying to extort $5000 from them.

He tried to explain when he met Miller on a footpath while walking his dog on May 19, 2023 but the latter demanded to know the name of the person who had been talking about him.

Miller said “I’ll f—g cave your head in and shoot your dog right now unless you give me a name, but I wouldn’t do that. I’m not a bully.”

When Mr Brown said he’d try and find out the information, Miller replied “You’ve got 24 hours to come up with a name or give us $5000, otherwise I’ll run through your place and bash your heads in and steal all your stuff.”

About two weeks later, Mr Pollard drove to the Birralee Plaza in West Wodonga, withdrew $700 and handed the money to Miller’s alleged co-offender.

When a fearful Mr Brown and Mr Pollard decided to stay with friends, their house was burgled by two men, including the Finks Wodonga chapter president Jarrad Searby, and a number of items were stolen.

On Friday Miller was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment and 18 months community corrections order

Given he has almost served the time in custody, Miller will be released next week to serve the CCO.

Searby was sentenced in May last year to three years and six months, with a non-parole of two years and two months.

A third person, James Melbourne, pleaded guilty this week to charges of extortion with threats to inflict injury, burglary and aggravated burglary.

He will appear for a plea hearing on March 25 in Wodonga.