High-ranking bike and underwear model Eamon Mulgrew denies extortion claims in court

An underwear model and bikie president charged with extorting a Sydney pawnbroker claims he was simply trying to stop the man selling drugs to an associate who had relapsed, a court has been told.

Eamon Mulgrew was one of three Finks outlaw motorcycle gang members arrested in June on allegations they intimidated and threatened Peter Parker, the owner of a Cashline pawnshop in Riverstone.

Police allege Mr Mulgrew, president of the club’s Lower Mountains chapter, attended the store with his sergeant-at-arms and vice-president and demanded items pawned by ex-member Corey Agius.

The NSW Supreme Court heard on Tuesday, as Mr Mulgrew was denied bail, that the 25-year-old denied that version of events and claimed he visited Mr Parker in peace mostly to persuade him from selling Mr Agius drugs.

The court heard that Mr Parker had in a written statement told police that he sold Mr Agius small amounts of cocaine on three occasions in April as a “favour” to the former Finks member.

Mr Parker has not been charged with any offences and in his statement he said he was “in no shape or form a dealer”, the court was told.

Mr Agius had also received a cash loan of $11,500 from Mr Parker when he swapped items, including jewellery, a motorcycle and a boat at the store, the court was told.

The Cashline Pawnbrokers shop in Riverstone.

However, the court was told that things turned sour in May when Mr Parker allegedly sold some of the items, prompting Mr Agius to threaten legal action.

Mr Agius has also not been charged by police.

Mr Mulgrew’s lawyer argued that Mr Parker’s claims should be taken with a “grain of salt”, as his admissions of drug supply undermined his credibility and the police case built against his client.

“The applicant was simply trying to resolve a dispute in relation to the items being swapped by Corey Agius and didn’t involve any standover or threat at all,” Mr Stewart said.

Mr Stewart tendered text messages said to have been exchanged between Mr Mulgrew and Mr Parker in which the bikie offered to invite the pawnbroker to barbecues.

If released, Mr Mulgrew would live at his girlfriend’s house in Chatswood and only leave home for work and court appearances, Mr Stewart said.

Former Finks member Corey Agius has not been charged with any offences.

The Crown opposed bail, with a prosecutor saying Mr Parker told police Mr Mulgrew was one of three men who turned up on his doorstep and made threats.

Police allege the Finks members believed some of the items Mr Agius had traded in belonged to the club and they were intent on retrieving them.

Mr Mulgrew allegedly asked Mr Parker if his shop was insured before stating, “we can either do a smash and grab or burn it down for insurance purposes”.

Justice Christine Adamson refused Mr Mulgrew’s release application saying the police allegations painted the picture of “serious intimidation”.

Justice Adamson conceded Mr Mulgrew’s conditions in prison, including segregation, had made his time in custody onerous but that she was concerned about the prospect of witness interference in the case.

At the time of his arrest Mr Mulgrew was on bail for unrelated offences and was serving a community corrections order for an affray committed in 2018.

Australia - BNN.