A Wollongong bikie, highly ranked as the secretary of the Comanchero South Coast chapter, will spend the next two weeks in jail after he allegedly coward punched a man in the head when he refused to buy him a beer.
Matthew Douet, 29, was refused bail in Wollongong Local Court yesterday after he allegedly punched a man in the back of the head at a pub in Shellharbour, causing him to fall off his chair and lose consciousness.
Douet blew a kiss to his wife, holding the couple’s newborn baby, in court yesterday afternoon after Magistrate Michael Stoddart refused to release him.
“Whatever way you look at it, it’s a very serious matter,” Mr Stoddart told the court.
“It seems like an unprovoked attack … the community has seen far too many of these cases with a so-called coward punch, where alcohol is involved and people have been seriously hurt or worse.
“I accept Douet has a limited record and has been out of trouble for quite some time and his partner with his baby are in court … but in my view, given what’s alleged, the prosecution has every right to be concerned.
“The community would be protected by Douet remaining in custody.”
In court documents seen by news.com.au, police allege Douet was watching a boxing match on Sunday afternoon with a few friends at the Central Hotel in Shellharbour, a suburb south of Wollongong.
Police allege Douet walked into the gaming room, where a 51-year-old man was sitting watching a sporting match.
According to court documents, Douet approached the 51-year-old and said, “I heard you’re in the Reich.”
The Fourth Reich is another prominent bikie club in the Illawarra and a known rival to the Comanchero.
The 51-year-old denied the allegation.
Police allege Douet asked him again if he was in the Fourth Reich.
“The only bike I ride is over there,” the 51-year-old said.
“Don’t worry about it, I’m in the Comanchero,” Douet responded, according to documents.
“Oh cool,” the 51-year-old said.
Police allege Douet then requested the older man go and buy him a beer.
“I don’t have much money,” he responded.
“I don’t care, go buy me a beer,” Douet said.
The 51-year-old again refused.
“I can’t afford it, I told you,” he said.
According to documents, the 51-year-old felt “uneasy and scared”.
Douet then told him, “Well that’s it, let’s go to the carpark then.”
As the 51-year-old turned away from Douet, police allege Douet started to leave the pub but instead turned back and punched him from behind.
The alleged punch knocked the 51-year-old off his chair and onto the ground where he lost consciousness. He was also left with a large open cut to his nose as well as bad bruising and redness on his face.
The alleged assault — and damage to his glasses and contact lenses — has cost the man $1300.
Immediately after the altercation, Douet left the hotel with his friends.
Police allege he then threw out the jumper he was wearing and later told officers he couldn’t remember where the shoes or pants were when they searched his home.
The prosecutor told the court police had obtained “high quality CCTV footage” of the alleged assault and Douet was clearly seen in the pub.
When arrested by police at his Shell Cove home yesterday morning, Douet told officers: “I don’t even remember, I was so drunk.”
Douet’s defence lawyer Martin Culleton yesterday told the court the 29-year-old should be bailed because he had a young family who depended on him.
Mr Culleton told the court Douet was father to four children under 10, including a small baby.
He also runs a business from home that looks after and sells pedigree dogs.
“If he’s not there, that business will suffer. We don’t know what will happen to the dogs, he cleans and feeds them,” he said.
Despite that, Douet was refused bail.
Police allege Douet also confirmed he was a full member of the Comanchero while being questioned at Oak Flats Police Station.
He was issued his full colours on March 15, 2015, court documents said.
Police allegedly seized several motorcycle club items in their search yesterday morning, including clothing, patches and rings.
Douet will next appear in Wollongong Local Court on August 6.
He is facing three charges — affray, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and participate in criminal group.
Source: News.com.au