Benjamin Bernhardt, the president of the Hells Angels motorcycle club's West Australian chapter, has formally pleaded not guilty to a serious drug charge and will now face a trial in the District Court.
Not Guilty Plea Entered in Perth Court
The 41-year-old appeared in the Perth Magistrates Court on Tuesday, where he was required to answer a charge of possessing a prohibited drug with intent to sell or supply. The charge relates to an alleged incident that occurred on December 8, 2023. Bernhardt's lawyer entered a plea of not guilty on his behalf, setting the stage for a contested hearing before a judge and jury.
Following the plea, Magistrate Andrew Maughan committed the case to the District Court of Western Australia for trial. The first procedural step in the higher court, a directions hearing, has been scheduled for July 29, 2024. This hearing will map out the timeline and processes leading up to the trial itself.
Ongoing Legal Battles for Club President
This latest charge adds to a complex web of legal proceedings involving the high-profile bikie figure. Bernhardt is already facing separate, serious allegations. He is currently on bail awaiting a trial in the Supreme Court of Western Australia on charges of conspiring to murder a former Rebels bikie gang member and conspiring to cause an explosion. Those alleged offences are said to have occurred in early 2023.
The new drug charge emerged while Bernhardt was already on bail for the conspiracy allegations. The court has continued his bail for the fresh matter, allowing him to remain in the community under strict conditions until his trials proceed.
What Comes Next in the Judicial Process
The path to trial involves several key stages. The upcoming directions hearing in the District Court will be a critical administrative event. During this hearing, the judge will set deadlines for the prosecution to serve its brief of evidence and for the defence to file any pre-trial applications. A trial date is also likely to be canvassed.
Given the severity of the charge—possession with intent to sell or supply—the trial will be heard before a judge and a jury of 12 members of the public. The prosecution will bear the burden of proving Bernhardt's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The outcome of this trial will be entirely separate from the pending Supreme Court case on the conspiracy charges.
The case continues to draw significant attention due to Bernhardt's prominent position within the Hells Angels organisation and the serious nature of the allegations he now faces on multiple fronts within the Western Australian justice system.
