Deadline: Hush money to keep sport star’s privates private

The slovenly defence lawyer shamed for showing up in a flanny and the sport star paying hush money to hide his shame. The latest crime buzz with Andrew Rule and Mark Buttler.

Melbourne’s top crime writers Andrew Rule and Mark Buttler with their weekly dose of scallywag scuttlebutt.

MONGOLS AND MAYHEM

Ever since Genghis Khan gave them a bad name — for pulling captives apart with wild horses, for instance — the Mongols have had a reputation for mayhem.

The tradition continues with the iron horsemen who ride Harleys and Tony Soprano-style utes around the suburbs in the service of their outlaw club. Sometimes they are in search of places to invest black money, such as tattoo parlours, nightclubs, even barber shops.

Tony Vasil. Picture: Getty Images

But often to collect debts and to settle matters of honour.

This last bit is very bad news for disgraced and troubled horse trainer Tony Vasil, caught putting a hole in his manners in widely-aired security footage at a bar at the recent Gold Coast yearling sales.

Vasil, well above his old riding weight, punches an older woman who apparently resented his advances. The woman’s daughter jumps in, showing plenty of dash.

Hardly surprising, as it seems mother and daughter are closely related to a big wheel in a motorcycle club closely resembling the Mongols.

The story goes that when a remorseful Mr Vasil offered a quick cash settlement, the insulted woman grabbed the 11 grand but made it clear it wasn’t enough.

Mongols members show their colours. Picture: Facebook

Mr Vasil reportedly lost interest in horse sales, fled to Victoria and admitted himself to a place that treats people for stress.

This is a man who, around 2008, trained Australia’s most valuable horse, Haradasun, winner of more than $2m in stakes and valued at $36m for stud.

CRIME OF FASHION

The defence lawyer who turned up to the Supreme Court in an untucked flannel shirt and chinos might have thought he was doing a zoom meeting, but Judge John Champion wasn’t impressed.

After being told that the casually-dressed one was indeed a lawyer, the judge ticked off the slob and said the court had standards to uphold. And told him he should return when more suitably dressed.

Courts are, of course, more tolerant of casual, slovenly or outrageous clobber from defendants — and the occasional jury service-dodger.

In one such case, a man keen not to join 11 of his peers wore a “Cops are Tops” T-shirt and was quickly weeded out by the defence. With those tactical smarts, he should have been a barrister.

CALM WITH HORSES

The Buckley saga continues …

There was a time when Willowmavin was a peaceful little place — a dot on the map just west of Kilmore. Now “Kilmore” is starting to sound as if it has a dangerous double meaning.

One of several local horse properties belongs to the astoundingly youthful-looking Sean “Waxworks” Buckley, whose Ultra Thoroughbreds stud is based there.

The place has fascinated locals ever since the Mokbel family group of companies bought it at the turn of the century for prodigious bundles of cash.

Ultratune boss Sean Buckley with his ex Jennifer Cruz Cole. Picture: Supplied

Ultra Thoroughbreds was managed until recently by the robust mediation consultant and horse lover Anthony Swords, who does good works with his friend Mick Gatto.

But since Mr Swords moved on recently after an apparent disagreement with his boss, other colourful characters have moved in.

The newcomers are well-known in certain circles as the sort of people who don’t frighten easily.

Which is always a very good thing around nervy horses. There are plenty of rabbits and foxes and other vermin in the Willowmavin hills, which might explain the odd gunshot.

Watch this space.

VALENTINE’S SPECIALS

Deadline’s whisper that a Romeo from one northern suburbs crime family is swinging hands vigorously with a Juliet from a rival clan has been confirmed by a member of one of the warring factions.

In fact, the hint is that the daring couple might be expecting a bundle of joy later in the year. Tarantino film, Disney ending.

Speaking of romantics, a colourful wedding on the Friday before Valentine’s Day was made instantly memorable when the elusive groom was served with legal papers at the altar.

Some clever dick worked out that’s where he could be pinned down over some unpaid money.

The service at the service caused quite a ruckus when the unwelcome guest was removed by a large, tattooed man who enjoys his work.

Don’t shoot the messenger. Please.

WHAT PRICE $ELFIE$?

Phone cameras are dangerous tools in the hands of big tools fascinated by little tools. Yet another big-name sportsman has paid out big bucks so a female acquaintance doesn’t go public with the fact he sent dick pix.

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