Rebels bashed Finks outside Belconnen Mall and took clothes, court hears

The trio then stole clothing bearing the Finks logo from the two men before leaving them shirtless and bleeding, a court has heard.

The alleged incident prompted a police informant to tell the ACT Magistrates Court that they held fears the Finks would seek payback.

Fakatounaulupe Ngata, 35, and Dean Stephen Reid, 26, did not apply for bail when they appeared before the court on Friday.

Both entered pleas of not guilty to charges of participating in a criminal group and violent conduct.

Ngata also pleaded not guilty to one count of possessing a handgun.

Their alleged cooffender, Kirk Jacques Newman, 27, had his bid for bail refused when he appeared before the court.

A police informant told the court Ngata was the Rebels Motorcycle Club's ACT sergeant-at-arms.

The officer also said Reid was Rebels East Canberra chapter president, and Newman was a member of the same group.

The court heard the entire incident had been caught on the mall's CCTV system.

Court documents said the three Rebels met at Westfield Belconnen about 5pm on Saturday, October 4.

The trio then allegedly waited at the mall's exit for about an hour until two men carrying motorcycle clothing and helmets met them at the bottom of the stairs.

Courts documents said footage then showed Reid and one of the men wrestling, while Newman and Ngata punched the second man to the ground.

Ngata then allegedly stood over the man and pointed a black handgun at his head.

At the same time, Reid can allegedly be seen to punch the other man with an uppercut.

Ngata then allegedly forcibly removed one of the men's shirts, which had the word FINKS in large font printed across the front.

Reid allegedly removed some of the other man's clothing.

The three accused then left.

Police arrived about 6.10pm to find the two alleged Finks shirtless and bleeding. Both refused to help police with their investigation.

The defendants were arrested on Thursday.

Ngata, of Crestwood, was arrested at 2pm on Thursday outside the Department of Finance building in Parkes.

Earlier, police said the arrest occurred "with the assistance of Specialist Response Group tactical operatives".

When asked about the arrest on Thursday, a police spokeswoman played down the matter and advised The Canberra Times that it was "a community policing incident".

At 2.30pm on Thursday, a second team of police stopped a truck on Canberra Avenue in Symonston and arrested Reid, of Queanbeyan. At 7.20pm, police arrested Newman in Macgregor.

Courts documents said searches of the defendants' cars and homes revealed items of clothing worn by them during the alleged incident.

During Friday's bail hearing, the informant said police feared the Finks would seek retribution for the alleged attack.

A Canberra prosecutor told the court Newman posed a risk of reoffending or could interfere with witnesses or evidence if released.

Prosecutor Joel Hiscox said the handgun had not been recovered and the defendant could dispose of it or other evidence.

Mr Hiscox said he did not know until Thursday that he had been under investigation.

"He probably thought he had gotten away with it," Mr Hiscox said.

The prosecutor also argued the fact the allegations relate to a vicious, daytime incident in a public place should alarm the court.

"This is something that can happen anywhere, anytime," he said.

"It could and would happen again in the future."

But defence lawyer Richard Davies said the prosecutor had sought to lock his client up as a form of "preventative detention" to stop him taking part in the Rebels national run this weekend.

Mr Davies said Newman had a minor criminal record and was willing to report to police and provide a self-surety if granted bail.

Magistrate Robert Cook denied Newman bail on grounds he might reoffend or interfere with evidence or witnesses.

Mr Cook said it had been concerning the alleged incident occurred in a public place, in daylight, as member of the Canberra community conducted their lawful business.

Newman will reappear in November. Reid foreshadowed a bail application next week.