EchoBlog

One of Australia’s most senior bikie bosses has been released on bail after he was arrested last month and charged over an alleged bashing in Melbourne’s northern suburbs.

Hells Angels president Luke Moloney, 42, and two other patched members, Kane Montebello and Julian Assafiri, were arrested by Echo Taskforce detectives in February.

Mr Moloney, who heads up the Angels’ relatively new City outfit, was charged with intentionally causing serious injury, recklessly causing serious injury, assault, assault with a weapon, extortion, possessing a schedule four poison and committing an indictable offence while on bail.

He appeared via link in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Tuesday from the Metropolitan Command Centre where the court was told the victim had informed the men he wanted to leave the Hells Angels.

Police will allege the man was later summoned to Mr Moloney’s Reservoir home to return his Hells Angels clothing when the violent altercation occurred.

Mr Moloney and Mr Assafiri allegedly cornered their man on the deck of the property before Mr Montebello arrived armed with a bat, the court was told.

Mr Montebello asked the man to “provide him with a reason as to why he shouldn't wrap the bat around his face” before accusing him of talking to members of a rival bikie gang, police will allege.

In his statement to police the man claimed he was backhanded by Mr Montebello and when he opened his eyes he noticed Mr Moloney was armed with a hunting and fishing knife, the court was told.

As the victim tried to flee the scene by jumping a neighbouring fence he was allegedly struck on the arm with the bat by Mr Montebello.

He also claimed he was struck in the head but magistrate Ross Maxted told the court paramedics said there was no evidence of that.

He was treated at hospital for a fractured elbow.

Detectives later searched Mr Moloney’s Reservoir home where they seized several items including mobile phones and a kitchen knife.

Police argued against bail saying Mr Moloney was an unacceptable risk, would continue to endanger the safety and welfare of the public, and would interfere with the victim or witnesses.

Mr Moloney’s father was also called to give evidence. He told the court his son was the main caregiver of his mother who has Alzheimer’s and offered up a surety for his release.

Magistrate Maxted granted bail with strict conditions such as a curfew, a ban on contacting other patched members and a $150,000 surety.

Mr Moloney is also forbidden from having more than one phone or using encrypted messaging devices.

His co-accused, Mr Montebello, faces several offences, including intentionally/recklessly causing serious injury, assault and extortion.

While Mr Assafiri is facing assault charges. Both men are on bail.

The court was told that CCTV footage, seized phones and DNA evidence would all form part of the investigation.

Mr Moloney was elevated to national president in July last year.

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