Broadbeach gym closes as three men face extortion charges linked to Haselhurst case
Pete Haselhurst, co-founder of Milky Lane and head of CHANGE Fitness, has abruptly closed the Broadbeach gym while on bail facing extortion, stalking and drug charges. The closure coincides with the extradition of three men from New South Wales who are accused of acting as debt collectors and threatening former business associates, making the case a significant development for people linked to Haselhurst’s businesses.
Queensland Police say the men, aged 35, 38 and 45, face multiple extortion charges and are due at Southport Magistrates Court. Haselhurst faces eight charges, including three counts each of extortion and unlawful stalking, plus possessing dangerous drugs; his wife and business partner, Emma Jean Pearson, is not implicated. The couple said the gym’s closure followed an unexpected opportunity and that Level X would take over the premises, while some members complained about cancelled classes and poor communication.
In short
- Three men have been extradited to Queensland on extortion charges.
- Haselhurst faces eight charges while on bail.
- CHANGE’s Broadbeach gym is set to be taken over by Level X.
Explained simply
Pete Haselhurst co-founded Milky Lane and runs CHANGE Fitness, whose Broadbeach gym is part of the business story surrounding his case. He and his wife and business partner, Emma Jean Pearson, have said the gym’s closure followed an unexpected opportunity, with Level X set to take over the premises.
The case also involves three men accused of acting as debt collectors and threatening former business associates. The allegations connect the men to people in Haselhurst’s business circle, bringing attention to how the dispute may affect those businesses and their staff and customers. Haselhurst faces separate charges, and Pearson has not been accused of wrongdoing.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Dramatic escalation in Milky Lane co-founder Pete Haselhurst’s extortion case: Members locked out after he abruptly shuts down CHANGE gym and sends extraordinary email – as police track down alleged ‘debt collectors’”.