Tiny detail costs Comanchero bikie $1700
The immense reach of some of the nation’s toughest anti-bikie laws have resulted in one man being fined a huge sum for the tiniest of details.
WA News
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The intricate lengths of Western Australia’s new laws targeting outlaw motorcycle gangs were put on display this week, with one bikie fined a massive sum for one small detail.
His undoing? A ring displaying gang insignia, now illegal under some of the country’s strictest Unlawful Consorting and Prohibited Insignia laws.
Comanchero bikie Nathan Norman Greenway, 32, was at Perth’s Raffles Hotel with several other Comancheros when officers from the WA Police gang crime squad spoiled the party on January 7.
The anti-consorting element of the new laws meant the members had to disperse, but before they could do so, one officer noticed a suspicious ring.
“You’re all going to leave. You’re going to get your bags and go,” WA Police officers are heard saying in bodycam footage obtained by 7 News Perth.
“Don’t start. Don’t tell me you guys aren’t associates of drug dealers, okay. You’re all members of the Comancheros.
“We’re now going to detain you to issue you both, or the three of you, with a dispersal notice.
“That dispersal notice will have your details, and you guys won’t be able to consort with each other for seven days.”
Under the laws, an offender can be jailed for up to a year and fined $12,000 for consorting or displaying the insignia of an identified organisation in a public place.
Gang tattoos and patches fall within the laws, with some members recently picturing growing hair over or taping up tattoos.
Greenway, who was fresh out of jail for a two-year sentence for attacking a Hakea correctional officer in 2019, remained seated at the table as police quizzed him.
“Welcome back, mate,” the officer said.
Greenway stroked his beard and a gold Comanchero ring on his hand, which he was then said to have tried to slip into his pocket.
“Nice little sleight of hand there, mate. Take (the ring) back out of your pocket,” the officer said.
“It was caught on my body-worn camera of you wearing it, so unfortunately, with the new legislation, you can’t display gang paraphernalia or any insignia, and you’ll be receiving a summons.”
On Tuesday, Greenway fronted court and attempted to fight the charge.
However, he was eventually fined $1700, according to 7 News Perth.
In late 2022, the heavy-handed laws were enough to unite warring gangs in solidarity against the rules.
Mongols member Troy Mercanti, the first person in the state charged under the laws, kicked off a legal challenge to the High Court of Australia, represented by one of the state’s top barristers, Steven Penglis SC.
WA Today reported that the challenge would be bankrolled by WA gangs, with members asked to donate.
It also reported that two summits with representatives from all clubs had already been held on the issue.
WA Premier Mark McGowan said the state was taking a zero-tolerance approach with introducing the new laws.
“This government is serious about stopping organised crime and protecting the community from the intimidation and violence carried out by bikie gangs,” he said.
“We will not tolerate outlaw motorcycle gangs or any organised criminal activity in Western Australia.”
When quizzed on the technicalities of the insignia laws in 2021, Acting WA Police commissioner Col Blanch suggested “Band-Aids” or “makeup” to cover tattoos.
“I would start with things like Band-Aids or makeup certainly or have it removed, or alternatively, people can choose the option not to live in Western Australia if this law passes,” he told 6PR’s Mornings Program.
“Young men are attracted to biker clubs because of the display of being an outlaw motorcycle gang to have the insignia on display as power, the display of numbers.
“It’s about breaking down that sort of culture and making sure that display of violence in the community is not tolerated and is not acceptable, and I think this thing sends a strong message to outlaw motorcycle gangs.”
Originally published as Tiny detail costs Comanchero bikie $1700
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