Ex-Finks bikie Jye Carter reoffends days after arson acquittal

A notorious ex-Finks walked free from custody after being found not guilty of arson, then less than two weeks later he was back behind bars.

A notorious ex-bikie enforcer committed crimes just days after he was acquitted by a jury over the firebombing of a tattoo parlour linked to a rival motorcycle gang.

The Herald Sun can reveal Jye Carter, who was once Victoria’s Finks sergeant-at-arms, walked free from custody after being found not guilty of arson on May 27.

The verdict came after a two-week County Court trial.

But 12 days later he was back behind bars after police found him in possession of ice after intercepting his car driving in “an erratic manner” in Collingwood.

On Monday, after 17 days in custody, the tattooist was freed again after being sentenced to the time he had already served.

Melbourne Magistrates’ Court heard Carter, 40, was seen trying to conceal a “bulky item” behind his back when stopped on Smith St about 9.53pm on June 8.

As police wrangled with him to get the item, he became aggressive and shoved it down his pants.

A black fabric sunglasses pouch later fell from his clothing during a search at the Richmond police station.

It contained six clear snap lock bags of 11.9g of methamphetamine, a blue straw with a sealed edge and four empty clear bags.

Carter was once Victoria’s Finks sergeant-at-arm.

Carter rapsheet includes firearms, drugs, driving and violent offences.

The case was consolidated with another outstanding matter from April last year where he was found driving unlicensed while high on ice in Thomastown.

In a plea deal, he pleaded guilty to possessing ice, driving unlicensed and drug driving.

Charges of trafficking methylamphetamine and possessing a controlled weapon were withdrawn.

It comes after, while on bail, he had to be arrested when he failed to show up for his arson trial last month. He remained on remand until the jury acquitted him.

Carter had denied any involvement in the firebombing attack in May 2015.

Finks members were alleged to have targeted Valley Custom Tattoo at Seville and Eastern Tattooz Parlour at Lilydale — both linked to the Rebels motorcycle gang — at the same time with homemade molotov cocktails.

Carter pleaded guilty to possessing ice, driving unlicensed and drug driving

Carter is no stranger to the court system — or a jail cell.

His rapsheet started when he was 18 and includes firearms, drugs, driving and violent offences, including extortion and assault, across Victoria and New South Wales.

In 2015, he was the subject of surveillance by the anti-bikie Echo Taskforce who were investigating the criminal activities of members of the Finks’ Ringwood chapter.

After 17 days in custody, the tattooist was freed again after being sentenced to the time he had already served.

But Carter — who went from being a Fink to a Mongol, before defecting back to the Finks — claims he is no longer associated with any bikie gang.

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Magistrate Michelle Mykytowycz said it was “somewhat concerning” he was arrested so soon after being on trial.

Defence lawyer Manny Brennan pushed Ms Mykytowycz to give Carter a chance on a Community Corrections Order (CCO) for his latest offending.

Mr Brennan said his client’s offending came down to his “persistent addiction with drugs” and mental health struggles following the breakdown of his relationship with the mother of his twin children in 2014.

He said due to Carter’s “past associations” with an outlaw motorcycle gang he was being held in custody on 23-hour lockdown in prison — and had been threatened in prison.

Ms Mykytowycz sentenced him to the time he had already served, before releasing him on a 12-month CCO.

The only condition of the order is he undergoes drugs and mental health assessment and treatment.

He must return before her in August for judicial monitoring.