David ‘Hollywood’ Deicke’s to remain behind bars as bail bid refused
Colourful businessman David “Hollywood” Deicke has failed to convince a magistrate that he should be bailed to help pay crushing mortgage repayments on his family’s $10m Brighton mansion.
Police & Courts
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A magistrate has refused bail for a successful smash repair businessman charged over a $90m cocaine haul,saying he faces life in prison if convicted.
David “Hollywood” Deicke, 48, who has links to high-ranking bikies, was last week charged with conspiring to import 120kg of pure liquid cocaine in wine bottles in 2018.
He applied for bail at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court, where his lawyer argued the case against his client was weak and he could be in custody for years before facing trial.
But Magistrate Julia Barling on Thursday refused the application, saying while issues were in dispute, the prosecution case was not weak and Mr Deicke had failed to meet the exceptional circumstances test which is a prerequisite for bail.
“Without question this alleged offending is very serious,” she said.
“This is an offence, if convicted, carries a max penalty of life imprisonment.”
Seated in the dock flanked by custody officers, Mr Deicke shook his head after he learnt his fate.
His partner of 13 years Belinda Pitts was seated in court and wiped back tears and made a love heart gesture to him.
Last week she gave evidence in support of Mr Deicke, saying he needed to continue working so they could afford the $50,000 monthly repayments on their $10m Brighton mansion.
“I need David’s support just to live, to meet the children’s needs, to meet the business needs,” she said.
“He’s very hands-on. He’s crucial.”
When asked how they managed the huge repayments, she replied: “From working hard at our business”.
Mr Deicke owns several smash repair businesses across the state which have a turnover of $25m and employ 120 workers.
Most of last week’s bail application was held in closed court and no details of the allegations against him were aired in open court.
Family friend Sally Matt, who said Mr Deicke was like a “little brother”, offered her $1.69m home as surety for his release — which prosecutors argued was not enough given his finances.
He is the half-brother of five-time world champion boxer Lester Ellis and also uses the name David Ellis and David Becks.
In 2010, Mr Deicke was nearly killed by Finks bikies after allegedly selling one of their associates a Range Rover which had a debt of $80,000 still owing to a finance company.
His company suffered two drive-by shootings before he was stabbed twice.
The court heard Mr Deicke had prior convictions but had never served jail time.
He will return to Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on March 27 for a committal mention.
He says he’s a family man and hard worker. Police say he’s a bikie
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