Inside Finks bikies’ alleged attack after nude photo scandal
UNDERCOVER police watched on as a mob of bikies allegedly beat a man with a tyre iron in revenge for a nude photo scandal. Here’s how it unfolded.
Police & Courts
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A mob of bikies who allegedly beat a man with a tyre iron in revenge for a nude photo scandal were being watched by undercover police as they stormed the man’s home in broad daylight, a court has heard.
Nathan Martinow, 42, was among four Finks members charged by bikie-busting detectives over the terrifying assault at the Hampton Park home on September 9, 2018.
Police allege the victim, Nicholas Gold, was attacked under the orders of bikie henchman Brent “BJ” Reker who was avenging the “public humiliation” of female associate, Tara Egglestone.
Covert listening devices had recorded a conversation between Reker and the young mother on September 8 during which she claimed Mr Gold and another man had posted racy photos of her on Facebook.
The listening bugs, planted in Reker’s car by detectives as part of drug trafficking investigation, heard the bikie brute say: “He’s gonna get publicly humiliated, (he) will never walk again, he’ll be in a wheelchair, he’ll be dead alright?”
Reker died in prison in December last year while awaiting trial.
Martinow was sentenced to at least two years prison for his role in the vicious assault.
The court heard the patched bikie had travelled from his home in South Australia to see his club mate Reker a few days earlier and met with two other Finks members on the morning of the attack.
Detectives observed Martinow’s distinct burnt orange Holden Commodore driving towards Hampton Park and suspected the men were heading towards Mr Gold’s home which had allegedly been targeted by Reker and others in a botched burglary just a few days earlier, the County Court heard on Tuesday.
The two officers had been assigned to patrol the area, but instructed not to intercept the car for their own safety.
Mr Gold was home with his girlfriend and father when Martinow, Reker and co-accused Corey Wanakore-Moeke – who was allegedly wielding a tyre iron – and Pierce Williams walked in and demanded he fess up about posting the photos of Ms Egglestone online.
Mr Gold was punched in the head by Martinow as he lay on his bed next to his partner with police alleging Wanakore-Moeke then smashed him in the face with the iron bar.
County Court Judge Susan Pullen said it was not argued Martinow was aware of the weapon until after he had punched Mr Gold.
The court heard one of the men allegedly said “let’s blow his knee caps out and kill the girl,” and threatened to kill their children if they called police.
The two police officers stationed outside the home attempted to tail Martinow’s car as the men fled the scene, but failed.
Martinow drove back to South Australia after the attack but was nabbed by detectives when he returned to Melbourne to visit Reker in prison on September 25 following his arrest for the home invasion.
Martinow, who has since sold his motorcycle and disavowed himself from the outlaw gang, pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary and intentionally cause injury.
County Court Judge Susan Pullen said Martinow’s a serious example of offending.
“Your victims were particularly vulnerable, in bed, and unable to escape your assault on them,” Judge Pullen said.
Martinow had a lengthy criminal history including a conviction for dangerous driving causing death in 2005.
He was sentenced to three years and eight months prison with 570 days already served.
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