Rift inside Nomads bikie gang as members allegedly turn on ‘rat’ president

Members of the Nomads bikie gang have allegedly joined forces to bash the Melbourne city chapter’s president thinking he was a “rat”.

A rift has formed in the Nomads outlaw bikie gang with members allegedly turning on the Melbourne city chapter’s president – who they thought was a “rat” – in a vicious sledgehammer assault.

The details of the tensions brewing between the Melbourne City and Westside chapters of the OMCG emerged as seven Nomads were charged with bashing ousted city president Jesse Watt at the gang’s Laverton North clubhouse on July 28.

Christopher Field, Oliver Frood-Marich, Reece Wangman, Isaiah Grace, Lance Tufuga, Osama Hamze and Ricky Binks are all charged with intentionally and recklessly causing injury to Mr Watt “in circumstances of gross violence”.

Melbourne Magistrates’ Court heard how the men allegedly circled Mr Watt, 36, when he attended the Weddel St clubhouse, throwing him to the ground where CCTV showed him being kicked 19 times and punched a further 13 times about 2.10pm.

Mr Field, 39, then allegedly struck Mr Watt with a small sledgehammer seven times.

Ex-Nomads Melbourne city chapter president Jesse Watt was allegedly bashed by other members.

Anti bikie Echo Taskforce detective Gary Measham told the court Mr Watt had been expelled from the club a week earlier due to “badstanding”.

“They believed Jesse was a rat,” Senior Constable Measham said.

The court heard the Westside and Melbourne city chapters “had fallen out” because Mr Watt had made comments that undermined senior Nomads office bearers.

They also believed he was responsible for printing a Nomads nominee T-shirt without permission, which was later lost and then found on a homeless person in the Melbourne CBD.

And they accused him of gunning for the world vice president role held by Ahmed Hamze.

Westside bikie leaders alerted its members to disown Mr Watt, advising them not to attend his functions or rides, and remove him from all bikie chat groups.

Their Ballarat-based Central Highlands chapter counterparts, including Mr Field and Mr Wangman, joined them in their dislike of Mr Watt.

Messages from a WhatsApp Nomads group chat — uncovered from the accused’s phones seized by police — revealed an alleged joint plot to lure Mr Watt to the clubhouse to strip him of his colours and steal his motorbike.

Westside chapter president Noel Mackenzie Ross who was involved in the chat but not charged with any offence, told members to “bash” Melbourne city office bearers showing an allegiance to Mr Watt.

Senior Nomads members had allegedly planned to fly in from Queensland to see punishment exacted against Mr Watt at a planned July 29 president’s meeting.

On July 2, Mr Mackenzie Ross informed the group: “Jesse has spoke a lot of sh-- about me, Ballarat and most of all, Ahmed.

“He’s (Ahmed) our leader. Jesse wants his job and tried to f--k him in order to get it.”

Three days before the alleged assault, Mr Mackenzie Ross wrote in the group chat: “(Watt) will be in full panic mode this week. With a bit of luck he gets bad anxiety, struggles to breathe and dies. Job done.”

Senior Nomads members had planned to fly in from Queensland to see punishment exacted against Mr Watt at a planned July 29 president’s meeting.

When Mr Watt got wind of the plot, he handed in his resignation so he didn’t have to attend, the court heard.

He went to the clubhouse the day he got attacked out of revenge, the court heard, after five men — alleged to be Mr Field, Mr Frood-Marich, Mr Binks, Mr Wangman and Mr Grace — were seen on CCTV at Mr Watt’s Point Cook house not even two hours earlier.

A man is arreseted after the alleged bashing of Mr Watt. Picture: Victoria Police

He had warned the burly bikies that he was on his way.

In response, Mr Frood-Marich, 24, from Sunshine West, rallied the troops on the WhatsApp group chat, believing Mr Watt was going to “undertake some sort of violent acts”.

“Come down to the club, boys,” Mr Frood-Marich wrote.

He added: “Might be expecting company. Don’t want to be shorthanded. If you can get out of work, get out of it.”

As the bikies rolled in to the clubhouse, they were seen on CCTV, the court heard, pushing a dumpster bin in front of the roller door.

They then parked Mr Binks’ utility in front for further protection.

Police say the footage then showed Mr Watt arrive wearing a balaclava and armed with a 1m-long stick and a jerry can.

He jumped from the passenger seat, the court heard, and began dousing the ute being used as a barrier with petrol.

This was when the seven accused allegedly ran out and ambushed him.

Mr Watt managed to get back to his car, where he fled — but not before sending a short video of his injuries to one of his alleged attackers, Mr Field.

He later went to The Alfred hospital where he was treated for three broken ribs, two fractured eye sockets and lacerations to his face.

Following the assault, the court heard, the CCTV captured Mr Wangman, Mr Tufuga and Mr Field celebrating by embracing and shaking hands.

A Nomad gang member is arrested after the alleged bashing. Picture: Victoria Police

Mr Binks allegedly then hosed down the area to wash away the victim’s blood.

That night, Mr Mackenzie Ross wrote in the WhatsApp chat: “I’m so proud of you boys.”

Osama Hamze replied: “A person is only as good as the person who leads them.”

“Brother, today Chris led you boys. He’s a true one percenter,” Mr Mackenzie Ross said.

Mr Tufuga replied: “F---ing oath brother. Chris is a one percenter. I’m proud of us brother. Noms, you should be proud as well. We can only go up from here.”

Investigators arrested the group following early morning raids on their homes and the Laverton North and Wendouree Nomads clubhouses on August 30.

All seven accused are now on bail, but have been banned from associating with each other or any other bikie club members.

The court heard Mr Watt had not provided a statement or co-operated in any way with the police investigation.

All the accused will return to court on November 28.