Senior Rebels figure Mickail Shepherdson bailed after admitting yellow motorcycle was stolen property

Despite initially facing a lengthy wait behind bars before a series of trials, the South West boss of the Rebels bikie gang has been released on bail after receiving fines. Mickail James Shepherdson appeared in Bunbury Magistrate’s Court on Friday via videolink from Bunbury Regional Prison, where he admitted to possessing a yellow Suzuki motorcycle that was suspected to be stolen. The court heard major crime investigators searched Shepherdson’s Leschenault home on the morning of February 17 where 1.5g of methamphetamine, three glass pipes and a 10ml vial of testosterone steroids were seized from the home. Police also made inquiries about the motorcycle, which was located inside the shed, with Shepherdson initially claiming he had purchased it several years ago. However, Shepherdson failed to provide proof of purchase and it was suspected the motorcycle had been stolen from a Perth home. In submissions, Shepherdson’s lawyer Peter Ash told the court Shepherdson had been in custody for two months, arguing he had served sufficient time for his offences to just be dealt with by fines. The court was also told a further charge of drug possession was pending negotiations with police. Magistrate Benjamin Tyers fined Shepherdson a total of $2500, plus court costs, and granted him bail to go along with the other bail terms Shepherdson was already serving for District Court charges that were set to go to trial in December. The remaining drug possession charge was adjourned to May 10 pending negotiations.