Hells Angels president to contest assault claims

Hells Angels president Luke Moloney has denied claims he assaulted a man who wanted to leave the bikie gang, with his lawyer questioning the man’s credibility.

Hells Angels national president Luke Moloney will contest allegations he assaulted a man who wanted out of his bikie gang, undermining his alleged victim’s credibility.

Mr Moloney, 42, and patched members Kane Montebello, 30, and Julian Assafiri, 24, are accused of setting upon the man after summoning him to Mr Moloney’s Reservoir home to return his club attire in February.

The alleged victim claims Mr Moloney was armed with a knife, while Mr Montebello had a bat when they ambushed him.

Hells Angels national president Luke Moloney.

But Mark Gumbleton, for Mr Moloney, told Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Friday a key issue in the case was the complainant’s credibility.

“Is he telling the truth about what he says happened to him?,” Mr Gumbleton said.

The court heard the complainant had given four statements to police, but has since recanted on his first one.

He will be called to give evidence at a two-day contested hearing in October.

Mr Gumbleton will also cross-examine a doctor on the injuries the man sustained, arguing whether it would be considered a serious injury.

An earlier court heard the man was treated at hospital for a fractured elbow.

Mr Moloney has been charged with intentionally causing serious injury, recklessly causing serious injury, assault, assault with a weapon, extortion, possessing a schedule four poison and committing an indictable offence while on bail.

His Ferntree Gully-based kickboxer co-accused, Mr Montebello, is also charged with intentionally and recklessly causing serious injury, assault and extortion.

Mr Assafiri, from Attwood, is facing assault charges.

All three men are on bail.