POLICE have confirmed one of the highest-profile members of the Bandidos was found dead on the weekend in a Mid-North Coast motel room.
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Port Macquarie's Arthur Joseph Loveday, formerly of Lincoln Road, had been staying at a Kew motel for a couple of days when he was found dead on Sunday morning. He was 61.
A Local Area Command spokesman said police were called to the motel about 11am.
"There's nothing suspicious at this stage," the spokesman said.
Mr Loveday rose to prominence in 1992 when he was pardoned for the murder of Stephen Leslie Shipley. Shortly after being released, Mr Loveday was recruited by the outlaw motorcycle group and for a time was the Bandidos public face.
He moved to Port Macquarie in the late 1990s and was involved with surf life saving and junior rugby league coaching.
A spokesman for Port City Breakers said Mr Loveday got involved with the club out of a desire to help his own son and other juniors.
It was "terrible news" to hear of the passing of one of the club's assistant coaches with juniors from 2008 to 2010, the spokesman said.
"He was a lovely guy who helped the club whenever necessary, and he really stepped up when we needed him," the spokesman said.
"On behalf of the club we extend our condolences to his wife, son and family."
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