logo
Former high-ranking bikie opens up on his life of violence with the Rebels - and the feud that made him turn his life around after almost losing it

Former high-ranking bikie opens up on his life of violence with the Rebels - and the feud that made him turn his life around after almost losing it

Daily Mail​2 days ago

An ex-bikie has revealed what it was really like being part of the Rebels and how he turned his life around after leaving the motorcycle gang.
Shannon Althouse, who was the sergeant-at-arms for the Darwin Chapter, lived a dangerous life and was known as the muscle of the gang.
In December 2017, Althouse was sentenced to ten-and-a-half years in prison for attempted murder after ordering a brutal reprisal attack that left an unintended victim with serious injuries.
Althouse told I Catch Killers podcast host Gary Jubelin his introduction to the criminal world started when he was young.
Growing up in Darwin, Althouse was amid a culture of alcohol and domestic violence and would often cause trouble with a group of his friends to escape his situation at home.
'We used to just jump on our push bikes and take off, especially when all the parents and all the adults were drinking,' Althouse said.
'You know, that was our safe haven - we'd kill time, kill our boredom, roll around and throw rocks at taxis or police cars and try to get into a police chase.'
Another reason why Althouse wanted to escape was that he was sexually abused from a young age by a friend of the family, often at the house during the parties.
Over the next few years, Althouse had several run-ins with the law, landed himself in jail and became addicted to methamphetamines.
He also became the sergeant-at-arms for the Darwin chapter of the Rebels bikie club - a dangerous position he described as an 'enforcer'.
'You make sure that you enforce all the club policies, and protect the president,' Althouse said.
'You're the president's right hand man, anything happens to him, you are the one that's getting done for it.'
Jubelin said the role seemed as though it was a 'poisoned chalice' as the sergeant-at-arms would always be at the forefront of any violent situation.
Althouse agreed that the position put him in the frontline and often induced anxiety and paranoia.
'If anything goes down, any dramas, any wars - anything,' Althouse said.
'When you're pulling up at the petrol station and a car pulls up and the windows are tinted, you know, like you're wondering - you don't know if you should grab a weapon or not, in case there's somebody … your enemy or an enemy of your mate.'
The position put Althouse in a life-threatening position in 2016 after a member of another club attacked him in the street and ran him over.
Althouse explained the bikie had owed him money and he had previously 'punched him around' following a few failed debt collection attempts.
He and his housemate had gone to meet up with him again, however, this time he wasn't there.
Althouse said he saw headlights and saw the bikie's Hilux facing him, stationary in the middle of the road.
'I started walking towards him and did a twirl, showed him that I had no weapons, you know, and told him to get outta the car,' Althouse said.
'And then - first gear, second gear, third gear, and he just hit me and just ran me over, clean over.'
The ex-bikie hit the ground and immediately went into shock, unable to move or hear what was going on around him.
'My vision slowly started coming back again, and he was looking at me through the window,' Althouse said.
'I thought, no, he's gonna double back and come and run me over to finish me off.'
Althouse knew something was wrong after he pulled himself up off the ground as his body just felt like 'jelly'.
'My whole left side of my body was just smashed. I coughed up a heap of blood on the road and I thought, wow, that's my lung, something's happened to my lung, I've punctured my lung,' Althouse said.
'My housemate came over to me and as I started talking to him, I was spitting blood into his face. I said 'I'm dying. I gotta get to the hospital. I'm dying.'
Althouse suffered extensive injuries including two broken shoulder blades, seven broken ribs - three of which punctured his lung.
Doctors worked tirelessly to save his life, with the ex-bikie losing more than four litres of blood and nearly dying during surgery.
Three weeks after the attack, Althouse was arrested for his involvement in a retaliatory attack on the bikie.
Althouse had purchased the weapons used in the attack but was not present when a group of balaclava-clad men assaulted the bikie's roommate.
While serving ten years in jail for his involvement, Althouse made a decision to change his life for the better.
He began reading about Buddhism and mindfulness and stopped using methamphetamines.
Althouse also used his time while incarcerated in Darwin and Alice Springs to help younger inmates who had just turned 18 and were transferred from juvenile detention to the maximum security prison.
'Some of them couldn't read or write or anything like that. So I was grabbing their briefs and reading them for them and helping them out,' Althouse said.
'And some of the stuff I read, it was pretty disgusting. So I thought, no, I've gotta help these young lads, and I started sitting there and helping them with their court proceedings.
'Helping them get through their compensation payouts and just guiding them as best as I can through the system, through the adult system.'
The inked-up ex-bikie, who has tattoos covering his face, vowed to never return to a life of crime after he was released from prison two years ago.
Althouse is no longer a member of the Rebels motorcycle club and in October this year, and will celebrate being ten years clean and sober.
Now, Althouse uses his experience to mentor First Nations children through boxing and community initiatives in the Northern Territory.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

The sell-out $40 item from Kmart that's a must-have 'IT' piece for winter: 'Obsessed'
The sell-out $40 item from Kmart that's a must-have 'IT' piece for winter: 'Obsessed'

Daily Mail​

time26 minutes ago

  • Daily Mail​

The sell-out $40 item from Kmart that's a must-have 'IT' piece for winter: 'Obsessed'

Shoppers are rushing to Kmart Australia to pick up a $40 must-have winter jacket, after it was a fan favourite over the last couple of seasons. The retailer has quietly brought back its hugely popular Active Women's Mid-Length Puffer Jacket - just in time for the freezing weather. The sell-out quilted puffer jacket, available in sage, pink and beige, features a drop shoulder design, high neck with detachable hoodie, elastic sleeves and zipper detail. Customers have given the jacket the tick of approval, while those who purchased a similar style in previous seasons have raved about the wardrobe staple. 'Kmart puffer jackets are so good. I've got the hot pink one and the bright green one both from previous years,' one shared. 'I'm in love,' another said. 'OMG I'm obsessed,' one added. And it seems the puffer jackets are once again popular among shoppers - with many revealing they were struggling to find them anywhere in store. 'All sold out,' one revealed. 'I haven't been able to find the green one at any of my local store ever,' another said. 'Can't find them in store,' one confirmed. Earlier this month the retailer's new faux suede oversized bomber jacket in the colour 'melt brown', priced at just $49, was being eyed by fashionistas. The cool, luxurious-looking chocolate brown statement piece has been flying off the shelves for all the right reasons - as suede is currently having a major moment in the fashion world. The jacket can be paired with a fancy dress for a night out or for a chic casual look, try a pair of blue jeans, a white T-shirt and white sneakers. 'The bomber jacket of the season has landed! And it's only $49,' Kmart said. Hundreds of excited shoppers weighed in, with many describing it as a 'hot item'. 'Wait what? Kmart - omg it looks like a designer jacket,' one suggested. 'It's what I was looking for,' another said. 'Love it! Love the colour too,' added another. 'OMG I need it,' one revealed. The bomber jacket comes in the 'IT' shade of chocolate brown, which is bang on trend for 2025. In addition, the suede-style material is also a trending look this winter. Similar chocolate brown suede bomber jackets, featuring oversized pocket details, can be found at other popular online fashion retailers - selling for upwards of $387. Accordingly, Aussie fashionistas have wasted no time in heading to the shops to pick up the stylish bargain buy. 'I ran, didn't walk and bought it already,' one revealed. 'Omg just tried this jacket on this morning and it is fabulous,' another shared. However, some disappointed shoppers revealed they were struggling to find the fashion forward piece in stores after it was 'sold out' in their area. 'When are these jackets coming back in stock?' one asked. A Kmart Australia employee responded to some of these messages, assuring customers they were 'working hard' to get the jacket back on shelves – and were hopeful that stock would be plentiful within the next few weeks. However, not all feedback on the coveted jacket was positive. One Kmart shopper who'd managed to get hold of the fashion item in store complained that there were 'not a fan of the material at all'. 'It feels like thick heavy cupboard,' they commented. Another questioned the price point of the jacket, saying: 'A bit expensive Kmart'. Meanwhile, some loyal Kmart fans suggested the jacket did not meet their expectations because they didn't like how 'stiff' the faux suede felt on their body. However, others were thrilled with the style and fit. The jacket is made from a blend of Polyurethane (PU), polyester, cotton and other fibres as well as pongee and suedette fabric. It features a spread collar, long balloon sleeves with a buttoned cuffs, a zip up front and front patch pockets with flap. Like most bomber jackets, the fit of the jacket is designed to be 'oversized'.

Erin Patterson mushroom murder trial LIVE updates: Rolling updates as Erin Patterson tells murder trial her side of the story following fatal beef Wellington lunch
Erin Patterson mushroom murder trial LIVE updates: Rolling updates as Erin Patterson tells murder trial her side of the story following fatal beef Wellington lunch

Daily Mail​

timean hour ago

  • Daily Mail​

Erin Patterson mushroom murder trial LIVE updates: Rolling updates as Erin Patterson tells murder trial her side of the story following fatal beef Wellington lunch

Follow Daily Mail Australia's live coverage of accused mushroom chef Erin Patterson's murder trial at Latrobe Valley Magistrates' Court in Morwell, Victoria. 21:54 Erin Patterson to enter witness box for fourth straight day Erin Patterson will resume giving evidence in her murder trial shortly after today's proceedings kick off at 10.30am. Lead defence barrister Colin Mandy SC is expected to finish questioning his client before the prosecution lead by Dr Nanette Rogers SC (pictured) will have an opportunity to cross-examine the accused killer.

BREAKING NEWS Pheobe Bishop's housemate James Wood is released without charge after being taken into police custody
BREAKING NEWS Pheobe Bishop's housemate James Wood is released without charge after being taken into police custody

Daily Mail​

timean hour ago

  • Daily Mail​

BREAKING NEWS Pheobe Bishop's housemate James Wood is released without charge after being taken into police custody

Missing teenager Pheobe Bishop's housemate has been released without charge after hours of questioning. Pheobe was last seen on May 15 leaving a rundown home in Gin Gin, near Bundaberg, where she had been living with couple Tanika Kristan Bromley and James Wood. Queensland Police say the pair told detectives they drove Pheobe to Bundaberg Airport for an 8.30am flight to Brisbane and then on to Perth, where she planned to meet up with her boyfriend. Pheobe failed to board and neither she nor her luggage have been seen since, with police revealing her neither her phone or bank accounts have been accessed. Her housemate, James Wood was taken into custody in Bundaberg on Wednesday. Police secured his car on Bolewski Street, in Bundaberg, before taking him into custody. Wood had been living in his car in the area since the Gin Gin property was declared a crime scene while Bromley has been staying with family on the outskirts of town. Police questioned the 34-year-old in connection with Pheobe's disappearance Queensland Police confirmed on Thursday he has been released. 'Detectives are continuing to run through several lines of enquiry as investigations continue, and will conduct physical searches when required,' a spokesperson said. 'Police are continuing to appeal for any information about Pheobe's whereabouts.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store