Rider jailed 12 months for riot at Newcastle motorbike event
Mark Distefano, 25, sentenced to 12 months jail for his role in a June riot at a Mayfield park.
Between 30 and 40 riders on unregistered trail bikes caused chaos at a merchandise giveaway event, performing wheelies and burnouts across the parkland and streets. Distefano was filmed doing a burnout that caused about $5,000 in damage.
Police tracked him for 13 kilometres as he ran red lights and veered onto oncoming traffic lanes. Mark Distefano held no valid rider or car licence.
Judge Georgina Darcy said she didn't think she had ever sentenced anyone for riot in eight years on the bench. Eight other alleged offenders remain before the courts.
- 12 months jail
- Sentence
- $5,000
- Damage from burnout
- 13 kilometres
- Chase distance
- 8
- Other offenders pending
Why it mattersRiot charges are rare, and this sentencing signals courts will punish organised group vandalism and dangerous driving severely.
AustraliaUrban safety and how Australian courts treat organised street chaos involving motor vehicles and groups.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 12 h ago
