Comancheros bikie jailed for arson attack on Kittens strip club
AN IDIOTIC Comanchero bikie who firebombed a Caulfield strip club during a security contracts war winked and grinned as he was sentenced to jail today.
Law & Order
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AN IDIOTIC bikie who firebombed a Caulfield strip club was quickly caught because he left a trail of blood at the scene and was captured on CCTV cameras casing the joint.
Comancheros treasurer Mike Ahern was this morning jailed for at least four years for the arson attack that completely destroyed the Caulfield South club, causing $1.3 million in damage.
Ahern seemed mostly unconcerned by the sentence, winking and smiling at a prison guard as County Court Judge Peter Wischusen told him his tariff.
With time already served, Ahern — who apparently joined the Comancheros after being bullied at school because of his weight — could be free in just over two years.
Ahern, 33, has refused to tell police the identity of another man involved in the firebombing or even why he did it — although it is widely believed to have been driven by the Comancheros’ failure to muscle in on security contracts at the venue.
Ahern entered the club though the roof in the early hours of February 16 last year, pouring petrol around before torching the joint.
But the former farm worker at some point cut his head, leaving a blood trail which police later matched to him.
When he was arrested as his Berwick home, police also found four red jerry cans and a set of knuckle dusters.
Fearing further attacks, managers of the club were also forced to move houses and hire security.
Judge Wischusen said Ahern was a long-term drug addict and user of speed, cocaine, ecstasy and GHB.
Judge Wischusen noted, however, that Ahern retained the support of his “long-suffering parents”.
“I must say ... that your failure to change your habits ... has led me to conclude your prospects of rehabilitation are clouded,” Judge Wischusen said.
Ahern was jailed for six years and must serve at lest four before he is eligible for parole.