Notorious bikie boss on bail spotted in crowd at Australian Open
Notorious bikie boss Toby Mitchell was spotted in the crowd at the Australian Open on Wednesday night, just days after being ordered to undergo anger management and alcohol counselling.
Mitchell was seen in the crowd during Naomi Osaka’s clash with Caroline Garcia at John Cain Arena, right after Nick Kyrgios’ win over Ugo Humbert.
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It marked the first public appearance for the president of the Mongols Melbourne chapter since he appeared in court on February 1.
Mitchell pleaded guilty to assaulting a man by punching him three times to the ground at Gilson South Yarra on October 4, 2020.
However Mitchell's sentencing was delayed until September and it’s still not clear whether he’ll be jailed or merely fined over the incident.
A representative of Corrections Victoria told Melbourne Magistrates Court on Monday that the 45-year-old bikie needed to undergo an “extended compliance assessment” and asked for a one-month delay.
But the court put off the sentencing until September, and told Mitchell to undertake alcohol and anger management courses.
In a previous hearing Mitchell’s lawyer Damian Sheales accused police of grandstanding, telling the court the bikie boss didn’t even strike his victim enough for him to drop the drink he was holding.
Mitchell remains on bail.
Naomi Osaka cruises into third round
On the court, Osaka locked in a regulation straight-sets victory to cruise into the Australian Open third round.
Osaka, who took the title at Melbourne Park in 2019, was in full control of her 6-2 6-3 win over Garcia.
The Japanese star, who is also the reigning US Open champion, next faces world No.30 Ons Jabeur of Tunisia.
Taking just 61 minutes to secure the win, Osaka lived up to her tag as favourite.
She said she felt comfortable against the world No.43. who was ranked as high as No.4 in late 2018.
“It felt good,” Osaka said.
“It's really hard to play opponents like her because you never know what she's going to do and how hard she's going to hit.”
Asked on court on how she'd been spending her time in Melbourne since her arrival, Osaka said she felt guilty getting out and about while people in the USA, where she is based, were struggling with the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The first day I got here I was really excited because you guys get to do stuff, unlike in America,” the 23-year-old said.
“So I walked around but then I felt guilty, I didn't know if guys were staring at me so then I just stayed in my room and started watching Netflix.”
with AAP
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