THEY king-hit police, threatened to slit an onlooker’s throat and caused “fear and distress” to innocent women and children.

And despite confessing to their roles in the infamous Gold Coast bikie brawl which rocked Australia’s tourist playground and ushered in some of the world’s toughest anti-gang laws, 18 self-proclaimed ex-bikies walked free from court yesterday, all smiles and laughter.

All 18 former Bandidos bikies, including riot ringleader Jacques Teamo, escaped with fully suspended jail sentences, fines and in one case even a good behaviour bond.

One of them, former Bandidos Gold Coast president Adam “Bigg Whitey” White, admitted his actions were “appalling” but congratulated the magistrate for the “really good” sentences.

Police are furious and have flagged a possible appeal.

Other bikies charged over the brawl have been acquitted or had charges dismissed or downgraded.

Yesterday’s sentences in Brisbane Magistrates Court came almost two years after the Broadbeach brawl and a subsequent siege of Southport police station.

Gold Coast bikie brawl caught on cop cam Police video captures bikie violence on a busy Gold Coast restaurant strip.

The court heard the 18 were among about 50 Bandidos bikies who “roared” into Broadbeach on the night of September 27, 2013, to hunt down Teamo’s rival Jason Trouchet.

A wild brawl erupted outside the Aura lounge bar, sending diners fleeing in terror as enraged bikies threatened and yelled obscenities at police.

Earlier court hearings were told police feared for their lives. Restaurant staff grabbed knives and forks off tables in case they were used as weapons, and locked patrons inside.

The 18 “former” Bandidos pleaded guilty yesterday to charges including riot, affray, public nuisance and assault and obstruct police. Rioting carries a maximum penalty of three years’ jail.

In sentencing, magistrate Michael Quinn said the brawl had a “profound and lasting effect on the confidence of the Queensland community, in particular the Gold Coast community, in its own safety”.

“Whilst the community’s confidence was shaken, it was not shattered,’’ he said.

COURT: Ex-bikies escape jail

SEQUEL: Trial relives the drama

Mr Quinn said the brawl was a dangerous and totally unacceptable show of gang force which had caused fear and distress to innocent families and could not be tolerated in any society.

He said but for the actions of a small group of brave police officers, a bad situation would have become much worse.

But Mr Quinn said that except for one officer being “king hit” multiple times, the riot had involved “bikie on bikie” and he had to sentence those involved “fairly” according to their individual roles.

He said the fact that most of those charged had renounced their membership of the Bandidos was an “important factor” in sentencing.

media_camera The charged bikies and their sentences.

Mr Quinn said Teamo, who pleaded guilty to rioting, had been “pivotal” in starting the brawl but took into account factors including his ongoing suffering after being shot by a Finks rival at Robina Town Centre in 2012. The magistrate said he accepted Teamo had “changed for the better”.

Teamo received a four-month jail sentence, wholly suspended. Outside court, he apologised for his actions but said the prosecution was a “complete waste of time and taxpayers’ money”.

White, who the court heard punched Trouchet, also escaped with a four-month suspended sentence.

“I’m very happy with the outcome ... I thought the magistrate handed out some really good sentences,’’ he said outside court. “I do apologise for my actions, they were appalling.’’

media_camera The Broadbeach confrontation triggered Queensland’s tough bikie laws.

Daniel Ross, who pleaded guilty to public nuisance, received a two-month suspended sentence. The court heard he took a photograph of a brawl witness and threatened him with a throat-slitting gesture.

Mr Quinn said another bikie brawler, Duncan Rattenbury, had an “appallingly bad” criminal history, including multiple convictions for serious assault.

Despite shouldercharging officers outside Southport police station, where Bandidos demanded the release of their bikie “brothers”, Rattenbury received suspended sentences totalling seven months.

Luke Dyer, who is serving a five-year sentence for drug trafficking, received a $500 good behaviour bond for his role. Another confessed bikie brawler, Jonathan Cassiotis, will be sentenced next month.

Mr Quinn noted the charges had nothing to do with the new Vicious Lawless Association Disestablishment legislation, saying the bikies had been charged under laws which had been previously in place.