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10-06-08, 07:13 AM
Gun flashed in Bra Boys brawl at Souths Juniors fundraiser
By Josh Massoud
June 10, 2008 12:00am
OFFICIALS at Souths Juniors are investigating reports of a gun being flashed during a charity function brawl involving Bra Boys kingpin Koby Abberton.
A fight between several gang members broke out in the Starlight Room on Sunday night during a fundraiser for a cancer sufferer.
Witnesses told The Daily Telegraph Abberton was at the centre of hostilities, which interrupted the evening's formal proceedings and occurred in front of about 500 guests. There is no suggestion Abberton produced the gun.
Having recently returned from a court appearance in Hawaii to answer charges of assaulting a police officer, the controversial pro surfer turned film-maker arrived at the function shortly before 9pm.
The altercation is understood to have taken place a short time later in the crowded back corner of the room as Juniors president Keith McCraw was speaking on stage.
Neither Abberton or the other men were ejected and there was no mention of the incident in the club manager's log book.
McCraw was forced to speak with staff yesterday after several patrons claimed a firearm had been produced. He last night said further inquiries had revealed no evidence of a gun on the premises.
"No one I spoke to saw a gun, and no one was asked to leave," he said.
"I was speaking on stage when it occurred and I'm led to believe there was a bit of push and shove down the back of the room. I'm confident our security handled the incident appropriately and if there was a problem I would have ordered the bar to be shut down.
"But everyone had a good time and there was no reports about those who stayed until the function ended at midnight."
Abberton did not return The Daily Telegraph's calls last night, and a Bra Boys spokesman could not be contacted for comment. But insiders at the event believe the altercation arose because several gang members are angry at the amount of money Abberton earned from the successful documentary which depicts the gang's exploits.
Sunday night's function was held to raise money for popular local footballer Nathan Hurley, who is fighting cancer.
It attracted a number of high-profile NRL identities, including Bulldogs and Rabbitohs stars Reni Maiuta and John Sutton. Both players are also Bra Boys but weren't involved in the brawl.
Abberton was on hand to donate a custom-made surfboard for the auction, and spoke on stage.
"We had security right through the place and no one was ejected," McCraw said.
"The incident happened in the back corner of the room - down near the toilets. The biggest problem in that area was that it was quite crowded and people had trouble getting in and out."
By Josh Massoud
June 10, 2008 12:00am
OFFICIALS at Souths Juniors are investigating reports of a gun being flashed during a charity function brawl involving Bra Boys kingpin Koby Abberton.
A fight between several gang members broke out in the Starlight Room on Sunday night during a fundraiser for a cancer sufferer.
Witnesses told The Daily Telegraph Abberton was at the centre of hostilities, which interrupted the evening's formal proceedings and occurred in front of about 500 guests. There is no suggestion Abberton produced the gun.
Having recently returned from a court appearance in Hawaii to answer charges of assaulting a police officer, the controversial pro surfer turned film-maker arrived at the function shortly before 9pm.
The altercation is understood to have taken place a short time later in the crowded back corner of the room as Juniors president Keith McCraw was speaking on stage.
Neither Abberton or the other men were ejected and there was no mention of the incident in the club manager's log book.
McCraw was forced to speak with staff yesterday after several patrons claimed a firearm had been produced. He last night said further inquiries had revealed no evidence of a gun on the premises.
"No one I spoke to saw a gun, and no one was asked to leave," he said.
"I was speaking on stage when it occurred and I'm led to believe there was a bit of push and shove down the back of the room. I'm confident our security handled the incident appropriately and if there was a problem I would have ordered the bar to be shut down.
"But everyone had a good time and there was no reports about those who stayed until the function ended at midnight."
Abberton did not return The Daily Telegraph's calls last night, and a Bra Boys spokesman could not be contacted for comment. But insiders at the event believe the altercation arose because several gang members are angry at the amount of money Abberton earned from the successful documentary which depicts the gang's exploits.
Sunday night's function was held to raise money for popular local footballer Nathan Hurley, who is fighting cancer.
It attracted a number of high-profile NRL identities, including Bulldogs and Rabbitohs stars Reni Maiuta and John Sutton. Both players are also Bra Boys but weren't involved in the brawl.
Abberton was on hand to donate a custom-made surfboard for the auction, and spoke on stage.
"We had security right through the place and no one was ejected," McCraw said.
"The incident happened in the back corner of the room - down near the toilets. The biggest problem in that area was that it was quite crowded and people had trouble getting in and out."