‘It was the Commos’: Murdered former bikie told police he had issues with gang: court

A murdered former Comanchero told police he was having “issues” with the bikie gang before his death, a court has heard.

A former Comanchero told police he was having “issues” with the outlaw motorcycle gang in the months before he was murdered, a court heard on Tuesday.

Darko Janceski was shot and killed outside his parents’ home in Wollongong on April 14, 2012 by a masked gunman on a motorbike.

Matthew Paul Wiggins, 33, is charged with murdering Mr Janceski and seriously injuring his father, Slobodan Janceski, when he attempted to intervene.

Mr Wiggins pleaded not guilty to both charges in a Supreme Court trial which began this week.

Darko Janceski was shot dead on April 14, 2012. Several months earlier he blamed outlaw bikie gang the Comancheros for a fire which occurred at his property.

Prosecutors alleged in their opening remarks that the killing was revenge for the disappearance and suspected murder of Goran Nikolovski, who was a close friend of Mr Wiggins.

Mr Nikolovski was last seen on October 31, 2011. A burnt out vehicle and phone belonging to him were later located on a remote road between Wollongong and the NSW Southern Highlands, Detective Senior Constable Brendan Ritchie told the court.

Police investigated Mr Janceski as a person of interest in the disappearance, Constable Ritchie said.

Less than a week after Mr Nikolovski went missing, Mr Janceski’s home burnt down in what Constable Ritchie said were considered suspicious circumstances.

He told the court fire personnel had reported smelling an accelerant at the scene and that clothing appeared to have been removed from cupboards to act as a “wick” for the fire to start.

Mr Janceski told investigators he was having issues with the “Commos” – meaning the Comancheros – having earlier been exiled by the gang, the court heard.

When asked about his knowledge of the fire, Mr Janceski implicated former Comanchero national president Mark Buddle to police.

The court heard Mr Janceski told detectives, “You might think it was me. It was the Commos, mate – Buddle”.

“I know that Buddle was hanging around. He wanted my bike. I can’t prove that, though.”

Mr Janceski named former Comanchero national president Mark Buddle (pictured) as being behind a fire at his home several months prior to his death. Picture: AAP

Police suspected Mr Janceski may have orchestrated the fire himself as a means to cover up evidence of his involvement in Mr Nikolovski’s disappearance.

“This fire … may have been an effort or attempt to destroy any evidence of the disappearance of Goran Nikolovski,” Constable Ritchie told the court.

Prior to the blaze, items including a framed Sin City movie poster and motorcycle jacket were removed from Mr Janceski’s home and taken to his parents’ house, Constable Ritchie said.

He added the blaze had occurred just one day after police launched a public appeal for information relating to the whereabouts of Mr Nikolovski.

Matthew Paul Wiggins is currently standing trial for murder. Picture: Julian Andrews

The court heard on January 29, 2012 - prior to Mr Janceski’s murder - he was shot and seriously wounded at his home and taken to Wollongong Hospital where he spent several weeks recovering.

The court heard a shotgun was used which failed to go off when the assailant tried to shoot Mr Janceski in the head.

Detective Senior Constable Michael Egen told the court he spoke to Mr Janceski on the day he was shot and he identified two people as the shooters.

The men – Glen Wilson and Jason Lee Wellins – were charged over the incident. They faced separate trials in 2016 and were both found not guilty, the court heard.

Goran Nikolovski, 35, was last seen at his Unanderra home on Monday, 31 October, 2011.

His silver Honda Accord was found burnt out at Macquarie Pass, between Wollongong and the Southern Highlands.

Mr Nikolovski’s former partner, Paula Geldeard, wept as she gave evidence to the court about the days surrounding his disappearance.

She told of trying to call him and getting no answer and receiving the news his burnt out vehicle had been recovered.

Ms Geldeard stated neither Mr Wiggins nor Mr Nikolovski were members of the Comancheros but were both knew Mark Buddle.

Ms Geldeard told the court she called Mr Buddle to speak about Mr Nikolovski’s disappearance on the day he was reported missing to police.

She also described Mr Nikolovski’s brother, Robert Nikolovski, as becoming extremely agitated in the days after he went missing.

The court heard Mr Wiggins was not a Comanchero but knew Mark Buddle. Picture: Julian Andrews

In opening remarks, prosecutors told the court Mr Janceski was shot three times outside his parents’ home at roughly 5pm on April 14, 2012 by a gunman on a motorbike wearing a full-face helmet, balaclava and dark sunglasses.

An altercation took place between the gunman and Mr Janceski’s father, Slobodan, who is a former boxer and who rushed to intervene.

Mr Wiggins was charged with murder and causing grievous bodily harm over the incident.