David John Partridge was left with a shocking gash from his ear to mouth after being slashed with a homemade knife in the Adelaide Remand Centre. Person responsible for the death of a toddler has survived a suspected bikie-sanctioned revenge attack in jail.The man wielding the knife - made from a razor blade - is an associate of the Finks motorcycle gang. Three-year-old David Mamo's grandfather is a senior member of the Finks motorcycle gang. He is currently before the court on multiple firearms and unlawful possession charges. The incident comes almost two years after a relative of Mamo's warned in a death notice placed in The Advertiser of "suffering" for those responsible for his death. The attack on Partridge, 29, happened earlier this month. He was rushed to Royal Adelaide Hospital for treatment and is now back at the Remand Centre in a secure unit. The man believed responsible for the attack has been shifted to Yatala Labour Prison. Sources there said he is closely linked to the Finks. When arrested on sex offences late last year, he was working in a southern suburbs tattoo shop owned by a senior Finks member. David Mamo died at the Women's and Children's Hospital in February 2006 after suffering severe internal injuries, including a severed bowel. Police alleged the injuries were inflicted by his mother Melissa Joanne Field, 29, and Partridge. Both were charged with murder, but subsequently pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of criminal neglect. Field, who pleaded guilty in December 2006, was sentenced to six years in prison while Partridge, who pleaded guilty last November, will be sentenced shortly.
In the weeks after David Mamo's death, there were veiled threats of retribution. One death notice in The Advertiser read: "Rest in peace my little grandson, the suffering is over and theirs only just begun." Yatala sources said this week: "There appears no other motive for the attack. "It looks like this bloke has been able to position himself to be in the same unit as Partridge and then take advantage of the situation. He is now in mainstream and being afforded the protection of other Finks associates." The sources said that besides ensuring his protection while in prison, the knife attack may also serve to ensure the man's membership of the Finks.
It may also be used by other gang members to intimidate the man's female victim as his trial approaches. "It is quite common amongst these people to intimidate witnesses and this incident may well end up being used to put pressure on those involved in his case," one source said. "They don't stand over and intimidate people just to extort money ... they use their coercive demeanour in many ways."
It is understood neither Partridge nor the man suspected of the attack are co-operating with police investigating the incident
In the weeks after David Mamo's death, there were veiled threats of retribution. One death notice in The Advertiser read: "Rest in peace my little grandson, the suffering is over and theirs only just begun." Yatala sources said this week: "There appears no other motive for the attack. "It looks like this bloke has been able to position himself to be in the same unit as Partridge and then take advantage of the situation. He is now in mainstream and being afforded the protection of other Finks associates." The sources said that besides ensuring his protection while in prison, the knife attack may also serve to ensure the man's membership of the Finks.
It may also be used by other gang members to intimidate the man's female victim as his trial approaches. "It is quite common amongst these people to intimidate witnesses and this incident may well end up being used to put pressure on those involved in his case," one source said. "They don't stand over and intimidate people just to extort money ... they use their coercive demeanour in many ways."
It is understood neither Partridge nor the man suspected of the attack are co-operating with police investigating the incident
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