Police blitz the funeral of notorious Finks outlaw bikie Les ‘Grumpy’ Sharman as hundreds of his mates pay their respects while he’s laid to rest in a custom-made coffin
- Police blitz marked funeral of fallen Finks bikie member Les ‘Grumpy’ Sharman
- Taskforce Maxima anti-bikie squad officers were stationed outside funeral
- A breathalyser outpost was set up outside Allambe Memorial Park in Gold Coast
- Police said before funeral they would keep respectful distance for funeral goers
The funeral for notorious bikie Les ‘Grumpy’ Sharman has been marked by a heavy police presence.
Queensland officers and members of the Taskforce Maxima anti-bikie squad were on hand as hundreds of Finks bikies showed to pay tribute to their fallen comrade on Wednesday.
Authorities waited outside Carrara Stadium at the Gold Coast, Queensland to conduct checks of mourners leaving the funeral, The Courier Mail reported.
A breathalyser outpost was also set up outside the lunctime service at Allambe Memorial Park at Nerang.
The funeral for notorious bikie Les ‘Grumpy’ Sharman (pictured) has been marked by a heavy police presence
A breathalyser outpost (pictured) was also set up outside the lunctime service at Allambe Memorial Park at Nerang on the Gold Coast on Wednesday
Mourners on their way to Mr Sharman’s wake were also videotaped for intelligence purposes.
Despite the close watch over the funeral proceedings, police said before the funeral they would keep a respectful distance from the funeral goers.
They would not, however, tolerate any law violations.
‘We respect their right to mourn and to bury one of their own but they have to be cognisant of the law,’ Southeastern police region assistant commissioner Brian Wilkins said prior to the funeral.
And just as police said they would keep a respectful distance, the Finks bikies also showed they were willing to carry on quietly.
No bikie colours were displayed at the funeral in accordance with Queensland anti-bikie laws.
Only Mr Sharman’s casket had ‘Finks M.C’ and the club logo emblazoned on its side.
The day provided a respite from the otherwise strained and tense relationship between the gang and Queensland law enforcement.
Despite keeping a close watch over the funeral proceedings (pictured), police said they would remain a respectful distance from the funeral-goers
‘We respect their right to mourn and to bury one of their own but they have to be cognisant of the law,’ Southeastern police region assistant commissioner Brian Wilkins said prior to the funeral (pictured)
Just as police said they would keep a respectful distance, the Finks bikies and funeral-goers (pictured) also showed they were willing to carry on quietly
The Courier Mail newspaper uncovered court documents in 2011 that showed a tension between the Finks bikie club and authorities.
Mr Sharman threw drawers and hammered his fists on the benchtop when officers searched his home in 1997.
‘Five o’çlock in the morning and you’re coming into my f***ing house man, and you can pay me some mother-f***ing respect,’ Mr Sharman allegedly yelled at cops, according to an affidavit.
Mr Sharman, 60, died instantly after his car rolled several times in an accident in the Numinbah Valley on November 30.
Les ‘Grumpy’ Sharman, 60 (pictured), died instantly after his car rolled several times in an accident in the Numinbah Valley on November 30
The cool relationship between the law and Finks members on the day was a respite from an otherwise strained and tense relationship between the two sides (funeral-goers pictured)
No gang colours were displayed at the funeral, in accordance with Queensland bikie laws
Attendees may not have been able to wear their colours due to the police presence, but at least one biker made his feelings known (left)