Advertisement

Police say gang members hiding information about prospect's death

Police are appealing for people with information about a fatal beating which allegedly took place at a former Tribesmen Motorcycle Club headquarters in Otara to help them.

Clayton Ratima, 24, of Otara was taken to Middlemore Hospital with serious head injuries on February 21 and died in hospital three days later.

Ratima was taken to Middlemore Hospital with serious head injuries on February 21.
Ratima was taken to Middlemore Hospital with serious head injuries on February 21.

Detective Senior Sergeant Albie Alexander says detectives believe the gang associate and prospect was assaulted at the gang headquarters in Berrit Place, Otara during the early hours of February 21.

Detectives believe the gang prospect was assaulted at the Tribesmen Motorcycle Club headquarters in Berrit Place. Source: Getty.
Detectives believe the gang prospect was assaulted at the Tribesmen Motorcycle Club headquarters in Berrit Place. Source: Getty.

The headquarters had since been vacated, seemingly after the incident occurred.

"Significant progress has been made in the investigation to date, with a number of the gang's members and associates giving police invaluable information.

"However, we still believe there is further information being actively suppressed by the gang," says Det Sen Sgt Alexander.

He said police "know that there are people within the Tribesmen gang who know what happened on that day".

Police
Police

Police say progress on the investigation will provide some resolution for Ratima's family and friends.