Life member of Rebels bikie club charged with murder over Central Coast death
By Mary-Louise Vince
Colin Crane was arrested by NSW police on Wednesday over the alleged murder.
Supplied: NSW PoliceFifty-year-old Colin Crane, who is also a former Rebels club president, is charged with the murder of Clint Starkey at a service station at Peats Ridge last April.
He is the seventh person to be charged in connection with Mr Starkey's death.
Mr Starkey, 42, suffered critical head injuries and died in Sydney's Royal North Shore Hospital two months after alleged attack.
During Mr Crane's first appearance in Gosford Local Court today, police alleged the father-of-two "ordered the murder of" Mr Starkey.
In applying for bail, Mr Crane's lawyer questioned the strength of the Crown's case, arguing it was all circumstantial.
He told the court Mr Crane suffered from sleep apnoea and required a machine to sleep at night — which may not be allowed in prison.
The police prosecutor highlighted Mr Crane's links with the Rebels, saying he had "little more than a passing contact" with the club, having a life membership.
The court heard there was a real risk that a widespread Rebels network could "spirit him away".
In refusing Mr Crane's bail, the magistrate said it was "a very serious charge" and agreed with prosecution concerns about him interfering with witnesses and being a flight risk.
The matter will return to court again on Friday.