news, crime,
A Comanchero bikie has been acquitted of attempting to murder the gang’s former Canberra commander, but found guilty of six other offences committed during a dramatic suburban shooting and arson attack. Axel Sidaros shook his head, but gave his family a thumbs-up moments after learning on Wednesday afternoon that he would be staying behind bars. The 26-year-old stood trial twice over a fiery June 2018 incident at the Calwell home of deposed Canberra Comanchero boss Peter Zdravkovic. Home CCTV of the late night assault shows a group of disguised men shooting at a naked Zdravkovic, who had part of a finger blown off by bullet, and setting fire to three of the man’s cars. Sidaros, who was accused of being the intruder firing a shotgun, repeatedly denied any involvement. He was last year found guilty by a jury of seven charges, including attempted murder, and subsequently sentenced to 14 years in jail. But the sentence was quashed after he successfully appealed against his convictions and won a recent judge-alone retrial in the ACT Supreme Court. On Wednesday, after nearly two weeks of deliberations, Justice David Mossop cleared Sidaros of the attempted murder charge. However, the judge found the 26-year-old guilty of intentionally inflicting grievous bodily harm, arson, attempted arson, aggravated burglary, unlawfully discharging a firearm and riding in a stolen vehicle. Justice Mossop provided lawyers for the defence and prosecution with written reasons explaining his verdicts, but made an order temporarily forbidding them from publication. It was the Crown’s case during the retrial that Zdravkovic, after being booted out of the gang, offended the Comancheros by burning his gang colours and refusing demands to hand over motorcycles and other goods. He was subsequently attacked by three unidentified men and Sidaros, who was a Comanchero nominee working towards full membership at the relevant time. Sidaros, who has been in custody since his arrest, will be sentenced in February.
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Bikie cleared of attempted murder, but guilty of six charges following shooting
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Axel Sidaros shook his head, but gave his family a thumbs-up moments after hearing the verdicts.
news, crime,
2020-12-23T15:00:00+11:00
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https://players.brightcove.net/3879528182001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6212984640001
CCTV of the June 2018 incident at the Calwell home of Peter Zdravkovic.
A Comanchero bikie has been acquitted of attempting to murder the gang’s former Canberra commander, but found guilty of six other offences committed during a dramatic suburban shooting and arson attack.
Axel Sidaros shook his head, but gave his family a thumbs-up moments after learning on Wednesday afternoon that he would be staying behind bars.
The 26-year-old stood trial twice over a fiery June 2018 incident at the Calwell home of deposed Canberra Comanchero boss Peter Zdravkovic.
Home CCTV of the late night assault shows a group of disguised men shooting at a naked Zdravkovic, who had part of a finger blown off by bullet, and setting fire to three of the man’s cars.
Axel Sidaros outside the ACT Supreme Court last year.
Sidaros, who was accused of being the intruder firing a shotgun, repeatedly denied any involvement.
On Wednesday, after nearly two weeks of deliberations, Justice David Mossop cleared Sidaros of the attempted murder charge.
Axel Sidaros at a shooting range before the attack on Peter Zdravkovic. Picture: Supplied
However, the judge found the 26-year-old guilty of intentionally inflicting grievous bodily harm, arson, attempted arson, aggravated burglary, unlawfully discharging a firearm and riding in a stolen vehicle.
Justice Mossop provided lawyers for the defence and prosecution with written reasons explaining his verdicts, but made an order temporarily forbidding them from publication.
It was the Crown’s case during the retrial that Zdravkovic, after being booted out of the gang, offended the Comancheros by burning his gang colours and refusing demands to hand over motorcycles and other goods.
Peter Zdravkovic, who burnt his Comanchero colours after an internal gang feud.
Sidaros, who has been in custody since his arrest, will be sentenced in February.
