Peter “Fuzzy” Godfree — a one-time leading figure in the Coffin Cheaters bikie gang who was brutally stabbed in Perth’s south earlier this year — has died after battling cancer.
Mr Godfree, who was aged in his 60s, was left with life-threatening injuries in Royal Perth Hospital after being stabbed in Henderson on September 23. After surviving that attack he died last month, while suffering from several illnesses, including cancer.
His injuries from the stabbing were so bad that homicide squad detectives were called in to lead the investigation as he fought for his life.
As Mr Godfree underwent major surgery after the attack, Yanchep man James Robert Whitehead, 50, was later charged with aggravated home burglary and commit and aggravated grievous bodily harm over the incident.
WA Police said it would now make a determination as to whether to continue with the prosecution of Mr Whitehead, who is due back in court next week.
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“We can confirm the victim of the wounding incident in Henderson on Saturday 23 September 2023 has since died, however at this time there is no allegation his death is as a direct result of being assaulted,” a statement said.
“Given the death of the victim, as per standard procedure, a decision on whether to continue the prosecution of the accused will be reviewed and determined in due course.”
Mr Godfree’s funeral took place at the Coffin Cheaters’ Beaconsfield clubhouse last Saturday.
A day before the funeral was held an obituary appeared in The West Australian newspaper for Mr Godfree.
“Fuzzy, I met you 37 years to this day and the first day I met you, you made me feel so welcome in the club, you are a legend in my heart. Love and respect rest in peace my friend,” the tribute from “Terra” read.
Although Mr Godfree had long-standing bikie connections, police are not treating the stabbing attack on him as a gang-related incident.
More than a decade ago, Mr Godfree, as a member of the United Motorcycle Council of WA, was a vocal critic of the State Government’s proposed laws that would prevent bikies from associating with each other.
In an interview with The West in December 2009 Mr Godfree described the laws — dubbed the Criminal Organisation Control Bill — as “silly.”
“There are only 250 bikies in WA and it is silly they are bringing in a Bill to combat just 250 people,” Mr Godfree said at the time.
“It would suggest to me that they have got a bigger picture in mind and it will be the next minority group that they want to attack after us.”
Three years later, after the laws were introduced to State Parliament, Mr Godfree again condemned the legislation during a bikie rally.
“We have a perfectly good judicial system and enough laws already to deal with law and order in our community without taking away every West Australian’s basic human rights,” he said at the time.