Tayne Riley Clarkson, 23, Finks bikie boss jailed for 2021 Windaroo shopping centre, Mongols Black Canvas Barber arson

A former Finks bikie boss who was the getaway driver during the torching of a rival business has been jailed for the arson attack.

Tayne Riley Clarkson, 23, was jailed for the 2021 Windaroo Village Shopping Centre arson

A former Finks bikie boss who was the getaway driver during an organised torching of a rival business, has been jailed for the arson attack which destroyed a Logan shopping centre.

The mammoth blaze two years ago caused $700,000 in damage and took 13 fire crews to put out.

Tayne Riley Clarkson, 23, a former head of the south coast chapter of the Finks bikie gang, was sentenced in Beenleigh District Court on Monday, October 6 for the incident.

The court heard that on June 5 in 2021 Clarkson and two unknown men drove to Windaroo Village Shopping Centre and torched the Black Canvas Barber shop.

The three masked men were captured on camera wearing Finks club colours.

Clarkson was the getaway driver while the other two Finks members smashed the window with a hammer, entered the building and poured petrol over it with a jerry can, the court heard.

Just 45 seconds after setting the shop ablaze they fled, CCTV footage played to the court revealed.

The fire engulfed neighbouring stores and 13 fire crews were required to stop it.

Tayne Riley Clarkson, 22, who police alleged was president of the South Coast chapter of the Finks bikie gang, has been jailed for arson.

The court heard 16 stores were destroyed, three other business were damaged and a total of $700,000 in damage was done to the Windaroo shopping centre.

It was closed for weeks after the attack.

Clarkson pleaded guilty to one count of arson of a property or building.

Police alleged the barbershop was connected to rival bikie gang the Mongols.

The fire at the Windaroo Shopping Centre. Picture: Nik Drake

The court was told Clarkson used his mobile phone to search the address of the barbershop and the next day googled his own name, Finks, Mongols and arson.

Judge Craig Chowdhury said Clarkson’s actions were indicative of gang-related offending.

Police and firefighters at the scene of the fire. Picture: Peter Wallis

“You were involved in the Finks motorcycle gang and this was gangster activity, targeting a business for some unknown grievance and setting it on fire,” he said.

“Bikie gangs have the veneer of camaraderie and excitement. It’s not surprising you were attracted to the lifestyle.

“Arson is always viewed seriously by the courts and the community won’t tolerate it.”

Clarkson was sentenced to five years’ prison and given an immediate parole eligibility date.

He had already served 675 days of pre-sentence custody.

Originally published as Tayne Riley Clarkson, 23, Finks bikie boss jailed for 2021 Windaroo shopping centre, Mongols Black Canvas Barber arson