Hells Angels associate denies SA shooting

The son of a Hells Angels bikie has denied any involvement in the shooting of the 11-year-old son of a Finks bikie in an Adelaide home invasion.

A man who was 14 when his father first took him to Hells Angels clubrooms has denied any involvement in the shooting of a rival bikie's young son.

Arron James Cluse also denied still being on good terms with the Hells Angels because he was keeping his mouth shut about those involved in the shooting.

Cluse, 23, has pleaded not guilty in the South Australian District Court to aggravated serious criminal trespass and two aggravated counts of endangering life in September 2011 at an Adelaide home.

Finks bikie Mark Sandery, who lived there with his partner and his four sons, was out when his 11-year-old son was shot by a disguised intruder.

Numerous windows were smashed, the front door was kicked in and there were bullet holes in the quilts of the victim and his brother.

Cluse testified that his father was a member of the Hells Angels in Darwin and would take his children to its clubs regularly.

He said he was never a Hells Angels member but did became a "prospect" which meant doing chores at the Adelaide clubrooms including feeding the dogs, helping with renovations, and making sure the fridges were full for parties.

Cluse said that on the night of the shooting he was at the club from 9pm to 10.30pm and later went for a drive with his girlfriend.

He had never been to Sandery's house, did not know him and only heard about the incident on the news.

Cluse said he had no recollection of receiving footage, found on his phone, which appeared to show Sandery throwing an item at the clubrooms.

Under cross-examination from prosecutor Sandi McDonald SC, Cluse agreed he had been in custody for two years and just two weeks ago severed his connection with the Hells Angels, leaving on good terms.

"Is part of the good terms because you kept your mouth shut about who else was with you at Mark Sandery's house that night?" Ms McDonald asked.

"Definitely not true," he said.

"I was not at Mark Sandery's. It's good terms because my father is in the club."

The trial is continuing.


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Source: AAP


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