Ex-Bikie boss asked manager to delete video of the slap

Former Mongols boss Toby Mitchell asked a pub manager to delete a video that showed him striking a punter twice in the head.

Toby Mitchell is appealing a two-month jail sentence for striking a punter twice in the head.

An uninvited drunken “pest” was slapped by former bikie boss Toby Mitchell because he wouldn’t shut up, a court has heard.

The former Mongols OMCG leader is appealing a two-month jail sentence for striking a punter twice in the head at the American Hotel in Echuca late last year.

At the County Court on Thursday, defence lawyer Damian Sheales, said the victim had spent up to an hour hanging out with Mitchell and his partner before he was slapped.

“What he was doing was talking with Mr Mitchell, about his upcoming court dates … he doesn’t shut up and he’s in their face,” Mr Sheales said.

“He’d been with him for nearly an hour, uninvited.”

The victim began abusing Mitchell’s partner after she suggested he leave, prompting the bikie to get out of his seat, walk around the table and strike the man in the face.

CCTV played to the court showed a verbal altercation before Mitchell slapped the man, causing him to stumble backwards.

More than a dozen pub-goers looked on as the man got back up before Mitchell struck him a second time.

Mitchell asked a manager to delete security footage of the slap.

“It’s one thing to be drunk and a pest and why you want to approach someone like Toby Mitchell, (who) you don’t know,” Mr Sheales said.

“He’s very well known. I didn’t appreciate how well known until I started acting for him.”

The court heard Mitchell left the bar after the altercation and asked a manager to delete security footage of the slap.

A short time later, another Mongols bikie returned and told a manager he’d been instructed to have the footage destroyed, even if it meant ripping out the hard drive.

When the manager said that wasn’t possible, the bikie allegedly replied: “If I don’t go back without it deleted, you never know what is going to happen”.

Mitchell, who is out on bail, remained silent during the proceeding but on Wednesday night he took to social media to express his thoughts on the pub altercation.

“No matter what happens at court tomorrow I will be back better than ever,” he said on Instagram.

“Always have been blessed and always will be blessed, remember that haters.”

Mitchell was visiting the border town for his 47th birthday bash with more than 100 bikie mates when the altercation unfolded.

Judge George Georgiou said he hadn’t yet decided if Mitchell’s sentence would be reduced.

Mitchell’s bail was extended and he will front court again on April 12.