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Deadline: Is old ink holding back reformed gangsters?

Melbourne gangsters love flamboyant tattoo work; the only problem is the ink doesn’t fade if they decide to take a new direction in life.

Jimmey Barkho says he’s leaving ‘the animals out there’ to be a family man.
Jimmey Barkho says he’s leaving ‘the animals out there’ to be a family man.

Andrew Rule and Mark Buttler with the latest crime buzz.

TATTS LIFE FOR JIMMEY AND THE BOYS

Melbourne gangsters have a history of flamboyant and detailed tattoo work.

Northern suburbs identity Jimmey (that’s how he spells it) Barkho is one of the latest in a long line with some very distinctive ink adorning his muscular frame.

As he pleaded guilty to drug charges last month, Barkho told a court he was now resigned to being an average family man after realising it was time to walk away from “the animals out there”.

Jimmey Barkho’s well-inked back.
Jimmey Barkho’s well-inked back.

But the tatts don’t fade away.

If he’d ripped his shirt off in court, those present would have seen a couple of inked-on machine guns and enough writing to fill a small novel.

Most of it is unclear but on each of his shoulders are the letters “NCF”, which is believed to stand for Notorious Crime Family, a northern suburbs gang of which Barkho is believed to be a valued member.

There are plenty of others who have kept the tattoo gun triggermen busy over the years.

Mick Murray has quite a collection of body art, including the word “ruthless” written in fancy lettering across his throat.

Comanchero boss Mick Murray has ‘ruthless’ written across his throat. Picture: David Crosling
Comanchero boss Mick Murray has ‘ruthless’ written across his throat. Picture: David Crosling

Finks boss Brent Reker, who died in prison a few years ago, had a confusing array of facial work. In the unlikely event that he ever decided to go straight, Reker would probably have had his work cut out explaining his facial art in job interviews.

Toby Mitchell is heading towards full coverage, mostly with work done at City of Ink, the South Melbourne studio run by his mate, former AFL player Jake King.

Northern suburbs wildman Nabil Maghnie had the words “mad Lebo” inked on his body and his daughter, Sabrine, has done the same with her leg in tribute since her dad was shot dead at Epping in January, 2020. Touching.

Late former Finks boss Brent Reker. Picture: Nicole Garmston
Late former Finks boss Brent Reker. Picture: Nicole Garmston

Mark “Chopper” Read was something of a pioneer of the all-over tatt collection on his torso and arms, with what looked like a mix of professional and jailhouse needlework. The legend “I love Ita Buttrose” was inked on his butt.

Long-gone hitman Christopher Dale Flannery reputedly had the word “lunch” written above his groin.

Of course, there have been instances where getting a tattoo has been a health hazard.

Robert Ale almost met his maker in a 2018 gun ambush at Nitro Ink in Hampton Park, a business previously associated with his Comanchero buddy Mick Murray.

A year earlier, Mohammed Tiba walked into a Glenroy parlour and gave a complimentary bullet wound to an unfortunate fellow topping up his ink.

FROM THE GAOL TO THE GEE

Not long ago, a trip to the members would have meant visiting the prison showers for Hayden Burbank.

But the Covid breacher whose grand final incursion into West Australia cost him three months in the clink made a long-awaited comeback last Wednesday night.

Burbank was at the MCG — in the members’ reserve, naturally — as his beloved Demons spanked the Western Bulldogs.

Deadline spies say Burbank was looking fit and firing off on social media while watching his team return to footy in the best possible fashion.

It’s a long way from Hakea Prison to the land of cheese boards and Range Rovers, but he’s doing it in a canter. Regulars can expect to see him back at Buller come June.

Now that no one needs to forge documents to cheat the pandemic regulations, it will be a breeze.

Hayden Burbank made his long-awaited return to the ’G.
Hayden Burbank made his long-awaited return to the ’G.

THE MIGHTY HAS FALLEN

A former bikie who was once a big wheel in Melbourne’s outlaw motorcycle gang scene seems to have hit hard times.

The fellow was once implicated in all manner of high-level offending, including murder, extortion and drug trafficking.

But a falling out with his mates has handed him the bikie equivalent of being dropped from the AFL to suburban seconds.

Deadline hears that the said individual — who used to put the frighteners on so many for big bucks — was recently picked up for shoplifting.

It’s a karma bus many would have loved to drive.

Heard something? Let us know deadline@news.com.au

COP THAT, SARGE

Deadline police and crime historian (name deleted) tells us it is 60 years since TABs opened for betting business in Victoria, following the necessary legislation enacted in 1961.

He also remembers that the new source of cash attracted the attention of armed robbers, including a serving policeman who robbed the Bendigo TAB.

The greedy copper wore a mask, and possibly gloves, but he couldn’t change his voice. Sadly for him, the woman behind the counter recognised it immediately.

As she later told bemused detectives, the voice was clearly that of an officer who had worked in Bendigo and had transferred to Melbourne not long before. He was a punter, which would explain why he was so desperate for fresh cash and why he was well-known at the TAB.

What the helpful TAB clerk couldn’t tell them was who the second robber was. And the guilty cop certainly wasn’t saying.

Peter Walker in police custody in 1966.
Peter Walker in police custody in 1966.

But our historian is confident that the unknown offender was also a cop doing a bit of moonlighting. Somewhere out there, perhaps, is an old man with an interesting secret to go with his police service medal.

Speaking of police long service, the recent death of notorious prison breaker Peter Walker, Ronald Ryan’s mate, has brought back memories for our historian.

He says that Walker’s older brother, Derek, a serving policeman for a long time, was linked to the embarrassing episode where Walker was sprung growing a big crop of hydroponic cannabis in Kyneton in 2001.

Our man suggests that Derek, by this time retired from the force, was caught up in the dope racket.

If so, it seems there was no coverage of that fact at the time. Peter Walker was old school, and never ratted on anyone.

Derek died in 2013, so there’s no use asking him.

Police with pictures of Pentridge escapees Peter Walker and Ronald Ryan in 1965.
Police with pictures of Pentridge escapees Peter Walker and Ronald Ryan in 1965.

RYAN AND WALKER (CONT.)

A regular reader who does not want to be identified writes with what she calls “an interesting piece of information regarding Ronald Ryan’s escape from Pentridge.”

“They (Ryan and Walker) actually knocked on the door of my Auntie & Uncle who had 4 very young sons at the time & were living in Cheltenham, not far from Cheltenham train station.

The family were all having dinner when there was a knock at the door and my Uncle went to see who it was & it was Ronald Ryan & Peter Walker. My Uncle immediately knew who they were as photos all over the newspapers & TV. He did not let on he knew who they were but he was terrified (apparently the public were very scared during their time on the run). Ryan said he wanted to see xxxx (he said a name but my Uncle could not remember the name). My Uncle said he did not live there & he had never heard of the person.

Ryan looked at a piece of paper in his hand and told my Uncle never to say anything to anyone & they left. It would seem they had the wrong address.

They did not say a word even to my Mum & Dad for about 5 or 6 years, they were so terrified.

Mum & Dad were told not to say anything to anyone & did not even tell us kids until about 20 years later!

You are the only one outside my family who knows.

I do not want my name mentioned ever.”

MONKEY CLUB CAR CAPERS

The existence of the Monkey Club in East Kew’s reddish light district has all sorts of people on red light alert.

Such as the eagle-eyed person who noticed a black muscle car — let’s say a Chev Camaro — sporting the number plate MMNKEY in Burke Road last Friday afternoon around school time.

The immaculate vehicle was proceeding in a northerly direction towards that part of Kew in which the Monkey Club is situated in a double-storey house that must intrigue the neighbours.

Of course, both number plate and location could be a total coincidence.

The hot Chevy might belong to a zoologist specialising in primates. Maybe.

RED CARPET, SHAG PILE

While on the topic — they’re one of Melbourne’s recognisable celebrity couples, a sociable pair often seen under the bright lights.

Deadline is told the attractive pair also don’t mind the dimmed lights from the kind of swingers scene.

We’ll leave it at that.

Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/truecrimeaustralia/police-courts-victoria/deadline-old-ink-holding-back-reformed-gangsters/news-story/055b8c70ca74205929a95b609619e718