Three face court over bikie murder charges

Alex de Vos
Police yesterday charged two brothers with the murder of Torquay Bandidos bikie gang member Ross Brand.
Ocean Grove’s John Bedson, 25, and Highton’s Derrick Bedson, 21, later appeared under heavy police guard at Geelong Magistrate’s Court.
Police escorted John Bedson from the courtroom prior to the hearing into a corridor where he was heard vomiting.
Barrister Jack Dalziel, appearing for both men, told the court Bedson was suffering blood poisoning from a back wound.
“He’s very sick,” Mr Dalziel said.
“He saw a doctor this morning and it was recommended that he see a surgeon.”
Magistrate Michael Coghlan remanded the brothers in custody to appear in court for a committal mention on February 18.
Ceres’ Anthony Stillitano, 72, appeared later in the court charged with being an accessory to the murder of Mr Brand and on drug and firearm charges.
Police prosecutor Rob Allen told the court Stillitano had stored a canopy from the getaway vehicle used in Mr Brand’s murder.
“During a search warrant police also located a hand gun, ammunition, a silencer, cannabis, a crossbow and powder,” Mr Allen said.
Magistrate Stephan Myall granted Stillitano bail under “strict conditions” to appear before the court on February 18 for a committal mention.
“(Mr) Stillitano is to report to the Geelong Police Station on Monday between the hours of 6am and 9pm,” Mr Myall said.
“He is to surrender his valid passport, must not attend international departure points, notify police of a change of address and must not have any contact with the prosecutor’s witnesses.”
Police arrested the Bedson brothers and Stillitano on Wednesday during a series of raids around Geelong.
Police also arrested a 61-year-old Ceres women, a 34-year-old Geelong man, a 19-year-old male from Wandana Heights and two other men aged 20 and 52
The arrests began in central Geelong when police intercepted a white Toyota Hilux utility in Moorabool Street outside Kardinia Park and arrested Derrick Bedson.
Police later arrested John Bedson at Ocean Grove and seized his white Hyundai Terracan all-wheel-drive.
Police allege Mr Brand, 51, was shot from a white twin-cab utility outside the Bandidos’ headquarters at Breakwater on October 22.
A 34-year-old Geelong man was seriously wounded in the shooting.
Hundreds of bikies attended Mr Brand’s funeral at Grovedale.
Homicide Squad Detective Inspector Steve Clark said the seized Hilux and Hyundai matched the description of vehicles police had been hunting as part of their murder investigations.
“The people we have in custody are associated with the Rebels motorcycle gang,” Det Insp Clark said.
“We secured the search warrants this morning utilising local detectives and members of the Homicide Squad and peaceful entry was gained on each occasion.
Det Insp Clark said Mr Brand had a criminal history including convictions for violence and possession of firearms and other weapons.