Alleged Bandido the first to face court charged under new anti-bikie laws

Bandidos MC

A bikie who was one of the first to be charged under Tasmania’s new anti-consorting laws is set to reappear in court.

TASMANIA’S new anti-consorting laws will soon be tested in court with one of the two men to have the dubious honour of being the first charged set to reappear in court in March.

Daniel Reginald Clarke, who police say is a member of the Bandidos motorcycle club, appeared in the Devonport Magistrate’s Court via video link from Risdon Prison where he is on remand for another offence.

Clarke appeared today on two counts of consorting but did not enter a plea.

He and another man, who police say is also a member of the outlaw motorcycle club, became in November the first people to be charged under the new laws.

The charges follow the men receiving anti-consorting warning notices. Statewide, more than 200 notices have been issued since the laws were introduced.

The legislation — aimed at disrupting bikie and organised crime activities — makes it illegal for a convicted offender to consort with another within five years of being given an official warning notice.

Police allege the two club members were caught with criminals they had been specially told not to associate with.

In the Devonport Magistrate’s Court yesterday, Clarke told Magistrate Duncan Fairley he had no idea what the charges were about and had received no paperwork about them.

Clarke was told it involved consorting with Josh Willie and Jake Sushames.

Mr Fairley adjourned the case until 9am on March 25.

Make Sure You are Subscribed to our Facebook page!

Source: The Mercury