A PATCHED member of the Rebels outlaw motorcycle club will fight affray and other charges stemming from his alleged involvement in a brawl at Universal nightclub in Bendigo last year.
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Shane Michael Smith, 34, of Adelaide, appeared in the Bendigo Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday where he chose not to plead guilty after a magistrate said he was considering a “significant period of imprisonment”.
He is one of two Rebels facing a number of charges as a result of the incident.
The court was told hundreds of Rebels members were in Bendigo on August 5 last year to commemorate nine years since the death of Bruno Carlo.
Despite being told that all festivities were to remain at the Rebels’ clubhouse on Rohs Road – and that nightclubs and pubs were “out of bounds” for members – a group of six including Smith made their way to Universal at 11.30pm.
A brawl started on the dance floor between Rebels members and patrons after an altercation in the smokers area.
Smith allegedly “threw punches” at patrons and fought security as they attempted to eject them.
The fight continued out the front of the venue on McCrae Street, where Smith allegedly “king hit” a security guard in the face and threw further punches at his head and torso. Smith was also alleged to have kicked the security guard in the head while he was on the ground.
The incident resulted in a transgender person being rushed to the intensive care unit, remaining unconscious for nine hours. Smith was not alleged to have attacked the person.
Other injuries from the incident included a fractured jaw, bruising and swelling. CCTV captured the entirety of the incident.
The court heard Smith and his co-accused returned to Adelaide soon after.
Smith was arrested and charged on December 6, giving a “no comment” interview to police.
All victims have since made a “full recovery”.
The court was told Smith’s involvement was “short” and the injuries were at the “lower level”.
Police prosecutor Martin Friend said while other Rebels members attempted to diffuse the situation in front of the nightclub, Smith allegedly remained violent and volatile.
“Mr Smith had a choice at the moment he exited the club. He could have calmed (the co-accused) down or inflamed the situation,” he said.
“He made a choice, and it resulted in a person being unconscious for nine hours.
“Mr Smith’s contribution to inflaming that cannot be ignored.”
Smith will continue to fight the charges at a contested hearing on February 6, where police intend to call 13 witnesses including a number of patrons at the venue.