Bikie associate to spend one year in jail for aiding gang members buy weapons for revenge attack

AN ASSOCIATE who helped senior Rebels bikies buy weapons and balaclavas intended for use in a revenge attack on a gang rival has been sentenced to three years jail

Rebels Sergeant at Arms Shannon Althouse and President Andy Summerfield. Picture: Facebook

AN ASSOCIATE who helped senior Rebels bikies buy weapons and balaclavas intended for use in a revenge attack on a gang rival has been sentenced to three years jail.

The Supreme Court heard Nicholas Wise, 21, helped Rebels president Andy Summerfield, 24, and sergeant-at-arms Shannon Althouse, 31, buy the weapons.

They were later used in a brutal attack on the intended victim’s housemate in a case of mistaken identity.

Police arrest Rebels Sergeant at Arms Shannon Althouse. Picture: NT Police

Justice Jenny Blokland said while it was unlikely Wise was involved in the attack itself, he could have foreseen the weapons would be used to cause harm to the intended victim.

The court heard Wise was not a member of the Rebels, but a “very low level” associate of the gang, having known Summerfield since childhood.

“Whatever Nicholas Wise’s association with Summerfield, it was not at such a level that he was required or obligated to go along with offending of that severity,” Justice Blokland said. She rejected Wise’s assertions in a police interview that he thought the weapons were intended for self defence, saying he was “covering up” for Summerfield and Althouse out of fear of the “consequences that may be meted out” by the pair.

“Balaclavas can hardly be seen as defensive or protective weapons or materials,” she said.

Justice Blokland said Wise now feared for his safety in prison after giving evidence “tending to implicate certain members of the Rebels”.

She said the evidence suggested Wise, who has no prior convictions, was not previously a violent person, but had become “somewhat unhinged” while staying with Summerfield and Althouse in Darwin.

“It is likely his otherwise good character was diminished to a degree,” she said.

Wise will likely be out of prison by next Christmas after Justice Blokland ordered his sentence be suspended after one year, saying his prospects for rehabilitation were so good that supervision would not be required after his release.