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‘I wanted it all to stop’: Bikie says he fired gun away from victim in violent confrontation

A lawyer for a man accused of shooting a rival bikie member has called the Crown’s case ‘farcical’ as his client made a shock claim under oath.

A lawyer for a Rebels bikie on trial for allegedly shooting a rival gang member has called the Crown case “farcical” as his client made a shock claim in court.

Lucas James Pain told a District Court jury on Thursday he fired a gun at the ground to stop a violent encounter outside a busy Queensland shopping centre but did not do so to maim the victim.

Mr Pain is on trial over the alleged incident with his co-accused, Joshua John Lucey.

Both have pleaded not guilty to unlawfully striking Harley Cranston, who was a member of the Beenleigh chapter of the rival Bandidos bikie gang, with a projectile on February 4, 2019.

During their closing arguments, lawyers for the pair denied there was any common purpose to maim Mr Cranston or set up an “ambush” with other members of the Rebels at the Logan Hyperdome.

The Crown alleges Mr Lucey was a party to the alleged offence because he kept the group of men chasing Mr Cranston through the shopping centre.

Crown prosecutor Greg Cummings told the court Mr Cranston was “always going to get shot” during the set up.

Greg McGuire, acting for Mr Lucey, said this claim was “ridiculous” and an insult to the jury’s intelligence.

“Not only is it not an inference that’s reasonably open, it’s not a rational one … it’s bordering on being silly,” he said.

He said the attempt to shift the culpability of the alleged offence onto his client was “farcical” and it was not a pre-arranged ambush.

Mr McGuire argued Mr Lucey could not be found guilty by being a party to the alleged offence, noting Mr Cranston had not been called to give evidence.

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“The Crown have not proved their case against Mr Lucey,” Mr McGuire said.

“If you’re not satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that you can draw, as the only rational inference … that there was a common intention to seriously hurt Harley Cranston before he sat down at the coffee table … you must find him (Lucey) not guilty.

“There’s no suggestion Joshua Lucey knew Lucas Pain had a gun, let alone that he was going to use it.”

Joshua John Lucey arrives at Brisbane District Court. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Sarah Marshall
Joshua John Lucey arrives at Brisbane District Court. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Sarah Marshall Source: News Corp Australia

Tony Glynn, acting for Mr Pain, said his client had fired the gun into the ground with no intention to harm Mr Cranston.

He told the jury Mr Pain was acting out of protection for the other club members during Mr Cranston’s rampage.

Earlier, Mr Pain told the jury a chapter meeting had been organised at the shopping centre that day and Mr Cranston was due to attend.

He gave evidence the pair were “friends” and there was no reason to suspect any animosity would emerge that day.

Mr Lucey and Mr Pain met with Mr Cranston and another person earlier that day but a heated disagreement broke out between the group.

“It blew up real quick … (Lucey) struck Harley,” Mr Pain said.

“I thought there was going to be a fight.”

Mr Pain said he saw Mr Cranston was armed with a small knife but was backing away after the confrontation.

The Crown alleges multiple Rebels members waited in “ambush” in various restaurants for Mr Cranston before chasing him through the centre.

Mr Lucey is alleged to have taken part in the shooting of a rival Bandidos bikie at Logan in 2019. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Sarah Marshall
Mr Lucey is alleged to have taken part in the shooting of a rival Bandidos bikie at Logan in 2019. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Sarah MarshallSource:News Corp Australia

The dramatic incident is alleged to have unfolded outside the centre after Mr Cranston ran back towards his pursuers wielding a machete.

Mr Pain told the court he swerved his car at Mr Cranston in a bid to scare him off, retrieving a pistol from the centre console.

He said he “aimed down low” and fired a single shot but did not know if the bullet ricocheted or hit Mr Cranston.

“When I had the gun out I didn’t know what was going on,” Mr Pain said.

“I shot at the ground because I didn’t know where everyone was … I wanted it all to stop.

“I didn’t know if it was going to get worse or someone was going to lose a limb.”

Mr Pain said he kept the pistol for “personal” use.

“I had concern for the boys and my own safety,” he said.

Under cross-examination, Mr Pain denied there was a rivalry between the different chapters and said they mainly just “avoided” each others’ areas.

Mr Lucey declined to give evidence.

Most of the incident was captured on CCTV, showing men spilling out of restaurants in the Logan Hyperdome.

The trial continues.