Matthew John Laughton, 22, has been charged with knowingly directing activities of a criminal group. Photo: NSW Police.
An alleged bikie accused of having “directed and coordinated a serious assault” over text messages has been refused bail.
Matthew John Laughton, 22, made the application when he briefly faced Bail Division Local Court on Thursday (22 January).
The court heard that while the assault did occur, he is not accused of being involved in the attack.
A NSW Police spokesperson said Raptor Squad officers charged him under Strike Force Benson, which was established in August 2025 by the State Crime Command’s Raptor Squad in response to escalating tensions involving the Hells Angels OMCG.
They also allege he is a member of the group.
Officers carried out an early morning search warrant at a Goulburn address on 8 January and arrested Mr Laughton on unrelated matters.
Detectives seized the man’s phone as part of their investigation and, following a forensic analysis of the device, allegedly found evidence he had been conspiring with others to plan an assault on a 65-year-old man.
At about 9:50 am yesterday (21 January), police arrested the 22-year-old in Goulburn.
He has been charged with knowingly directing activities of a criminal group and participating in a criminal group, contributing to criminal activity.
On Thursday, Mr Laughton’s lawyer, Legal Aid’s Marnie Dowden, said it was “difficult to comment” on the strength of the prosecution’s case.
“All I’d seek to highlight is that it does seem to be unclear how police have established that he was the sole user of the phone,” she said.
Ms Dowden also told the court that Mr Laughton was the carer for his mother and his mental health would be affected if he were held in custody.
“He does help her with a variety of things around the house and [with] her mobility, as well.”
She put forward several bail conditions that she said would ameliorate any risks, such as her client being subject to a curfew, only having one phone and having limited access to the internet.
A police prosecutor opposed Mr Laughton’s bail application, arguing there would be an “unacceptable” risk of possible offending or endangering people’s safety if he was released.
He described the prosecution’s case as “strong” and said that the police’s investigation indicated that Mr Laughton was the “sole user” of the seized phone.
Ultimately, Magistrate Marguerite Vassall refused bail.
She said Mr Laughton was accused of having “directed and coordinated” the attack.
“There was, according to the police facts, a photo sent from the phone said to be used by Mr Laughton of the victim and of his home … [The] prosecution relies on the evidence of that assault in fact having been carried out ultimately against that victim as part of their case against Mr Laughton.”
He is next scheduled to face court on 4 February. No pleas were entered.
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