Feral Protester Fiasco at Australia Day event

Today’s  Australia Day Celebration Event turned into a protester led debacle .For me it was an embarrassment, Both to our country and as a civil peace-loving society in 2012 I mean whether you like Gillard, Abbott, the Government or Opposition this was a pathetic situation that our OWN prime minister was in obvious fear at the time as people rumble around like they are at the running of the bulls…NO ARRESTS=A FREE PASS TO BEHAVE LIKE MORONS AGAIN DOWN THE TRACK LIKE SOME FERAL SMALL SHANTY TOWN WHERE THERE IS NO RESPECT

You can be arrested or charged for jay walking but not carrying on like this. I wont even go on about it being our National Day.

THIS will go viral around the World like we are a bunch of red neck classless animals with a mob mentality. BTW Bloody tent Embassy…well that’s another story but is long past its use….

PRIME Minister Julia Gillard and Opposition Leader Tony Abbott were forced to run a gauntlet of Aboriginal protesters after violent scenes marred an Australia Day medal ceremony.

UPDATE 27/01/12 6.35pm

PM STaffer rang tent embassy, great look Julia….Sack the messenger…

UPDATE 6.30pm: A SENIOR media adviser within the Prime Minister’s own staff has been forced to resign after tipping off protesters about Tony Abbott’s remarks over the Canberra tent embassy.

Tony Hodges, who has been on Julia Gillard’s staff since July 2009, admitted making a phone call alerting a person to the Opposition Leader’s comments.

That person then contacted people at the tent embassy, sparking ugly scenes that have gone around the world.

The revelation is a major embarrassment for the PM, who this morning denied any knowledge her staff were involved.

Update 27/01/12 12.45

Just to show another side here is a video from behind showing the mayhem, read my observation at the end and let me know what you think guys…(youtube keep deleting my videos so I’m trying flickr, sorry it;s so slow…)

Julia Gillard is escorted from a Canberra restaurant after protesters surround the building

About 200 protesters trapped Ms Gillard and Mr Abbott in a Canberra restaurant, where they were attending the inaugural national emergency medals ceremony, before police arrived to clear a passage for the pair.

The protesters, from the nearby Aboriginal Tent Embassy, banged on the three glass walls of The Lobby restaurant chanting “shame” and “racist”.

On a day that many Aboriginal people consider “invasion day”, they had taken offence at comments by Mr Abbott that the embassy may have reached its used-by date.

The embassy celebrates its 40-year anniversary tomorrow and thousands of indigenous Australians have travelled to Canberra for a three-day “Corroboree for Sovereignty”.

About 50 police, including the riot squad, were called to The Lobby shortly after 2.30pm.

While trapped inside the restaurant, The Nine Network recorded Ms Gillard expressing her concern for Mr Abbott’s safety.

“Okay, what about Mr Abbott? Where have you got him? We’d better help him through too, hadn’t we?” she told her security guard when he informed her it wasn’t safe to stay much longer.

Meeting up with Ms Gillard, Mr Abbott said he was concerned the glass windows would be smashed and asked when they would leave.

“They’ll let us know. We’ll just pull together,” Ms Gillard reassured him.

The two leaders, protected by police and security officers, escaped out a side door after almost 20 minutes.

Ms Gillard stumbled and lost a navy-blue suede wedge shoe while running to her car.

The protesters later collected the shoe and proclaimed it as a trophy.

This morning,  Mr Abbott had said he understood why the tent embassy was set up “all those years ago”.

“I think a lot has changed for the better since then,” he said.

“I think the indigenous people of Australia can be very proud of the respect in which they are held by every Australian.

“I think a lot has changed since then, and I think it probably is time to move on from that.”

Aboriginal activists accused Mr Abbott of inciting racial riots and demanded an apology.

One of the founders of the embassy, Michael Anderson, said Mr Abbott’s comments were disrespectful.

“He said the Aboriginal embassy had to go, we heard it on a radio broadcast,” he said.

“We thought no way, so we circled around the building.” ….What a clown M.Anderson is, sounds like the leader of a lynch mob, how would he like that to happen around his family?….

He said the protesters wanted the leaders to clarify their position and whether Mr Abbott was serious about removing the embassy.

“You’ve got 1000 people here peacefully protesting and to make a statement about tearing down the embassy – it’s just madness on the part of Tony Abbott,” Mr Anderson said.

“What he said amounts to inciting racial riots.”

Aboriginal elder Pat Eatock holds Julia Gillard's shoe

He defended the actions of protesters and said police overreacted to the situation.

Indigenous leader Mick Gooda condemned the protesters’ behaviour.

“While we need to acknowledge that there’s a real anger, frustration and hurt that exists in some indigenous communities around Australia, we must not give in to aggressive and disrespectful actions ourselves,” he said.

Ms Gillard, welcoming international ambassadors for a function at the Lodge tonight, said she was fine.

“The only thing that angers me is that it distracted from such a wonderful event with great people from emergency services,” she said.

“I’m absolutely fine, I am made of pretty tough stuff and the police did a great job.”

She refused to comment on whether Mr Abbott should apologise for offending the activists.

A spokesman for Mr Abbott said he would not retract his comments.

Police have said they will not make any arrests.

One of the medal recipients inside the restaurant, Tracy Griggs from Victoria, said she would not let the incident marr her day. Good on you Tracy

“I still know what I did on the day (during the 2009 Victorian fires) and the role I played,” she said.

The tent embassy was set up when four indigenous activists camped at the site opposite Old Parliament House on January 27, 1972.

The men – Mr Anderson, Billy Craigie, Bertie Williams and Tony Coorey – were angry at the McMahon Liberal Government’s refusal to recognise Aboriginal land rights.

Since then, the embassy has become a focal point for protest over Aboriginal sovereignty.

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Here is an en excellent point of view from the website The Punch…

Time to fold up the tent by David Penberthy

The Aboriginal Tent Embassy has never engendered any public respect. It has never done anything to bring black and white Australia together. It is sadly fitting then that the 40th anniversary of this illegal assortment of galvo humpies was celebrated with an unprecedented outburst of violence which saw our Prime Minister being dragged along the ground and our Opposition Leader behind a riot shield.

The scenes in Canberra represented a new low in the four-decade history of this politically useless eyesore. If it was the intention of its inhabitants to draw attention to the plight of black Australians, they instead invited nothing but scorn.

The irrational nature of their conduct was captured in a single quote from Tent Embassy founder Michael Anderson yesterday: “To hell with the government and the courts.”

That would be the same government which formally apologised to the stolen generations in 2008.

The same courts which in 1992 overturned the racist fiction that upon its European discovery Australia was terra nullius – unoccupied land – and enabled long-overdue native title rights.

And the violence came on a day when, at citizenship ceremonies around the country, our indigenous heritage was being celebrated, the traditional ownership of our land being recognised, before thousands of new Aussies as they took their pledge of allegiance.

Any fair-minded person can understand why indigenous Australians are still unimpressed with January 26, the day of their invasion, being treated as a day of celebration.  But you would seriously doubt whether any of them would have been cheering today’s scenes, nor opting for the excuse that the violence was somehow inflamed by Tony Abbott, who (only in response to media questions) made the muted observation he could understand why the Tent Embassy was originally set up, but that it had served its purpose. More Australians would now agree his assertion, and with greater vehemence, after the chaos which unfolded yesterday.

One other issue – having looked at the photographs of today’s chaos, both on Fairfax websites and on ours at News Limited, there could be some interesting discussions within the Australian Protective Service about how they responded to the siege and the subsequent “evacuation” of the PM and Opposition Leader. Julia Gillard’s office has clarified that she was not knocked over or hit by protesters. The photographs appear to show that the police were trying to run past the protesters with the PM being frogmarched out, and that she lost her legs in the process, possibly because (quite understandably) she’s not as quick on her feet as a 20-something elite copper who spends half his life working out and doing sprints. 

Assistant Police Commissioner Mark Murdoch tries to protect copper son in Big Bash POUNDING

Senior policeman’s son in Big Bash probe

NSW Assistant Police Commissioner Mark Murdoch's son is under investigation for allegedly punching repeatedly a spectator during a Big Bash cricket match at the SCG.

Either Dad does not recognise his own son (The tow the line excuse) or Dad made and early attempt to cover up his OWN sons outrageous behaviour quickly…What are the odds of all the cops and incidents in NSW and this BIG WIG COMMISSIONER fronts the media and tries to water down the behaviour of the “OFFICER” in question.?…Friggin happens to be his own son…what a crock of shit…

Cop bashes cricket fan

A police officer has been captured on video repeatedly punching a Big Bash cricket spectator

UPDATE 5.50pm: NSW Assistant Police Commissioner Mark Murdoch’s son is under investigation for allegedly punching repeatedly a spectator during a Big Bash cricket match at the SCG.

Mobile phone video footage of the incident emerged yesterday showing a uniformed NSW policeman punching the 39-year-old Sydney man several times as security officers restrained him.

It emerged today that the officer shown in the video footage, aired by the Seven Network, is the son of Assistant Commissioner Mark Murdoch.

A police spokesman confirmed the sole police officer shown in the footage was Mr Murdoch’s son.

Mr Murdoch, commander of the Central Metropolitan police region, today removed himself from an internal police investigation into the incident, citing a personal conflict of interest.

“Mr Murdoch, who launched the investigation, became aware late yesterday (Friday) that a relative was involved in the police response and immediately informed the NSW Police Executive that it would be inappropriate for his region to undertake the investigation,” NSW Police said.

“The conflict was not immediately apparent as initial names of officers supplied to the region of officers involved in the arrest of a man were not complete.”

Officers attached to the North West Metropolitan police region will now lead the investigation.

The incident took place in the Victor Trumper stand during the Big Bash limited overs match between Sydney Sixers and Perth Scorchers on January 18.

The spectator allegedly first refused to leave the Sydney Cricket Ground when asked and then resisted arrest.

He was taken to Surry Hills police station where he was issued with a field court attendance notice for remaining within a licensed premises and resisting police.

Mr Murdoch told the Seven Network yesterday that “the video footage, in isolation, doesn’t look great”.

But he said the incident had to be taken in context, adding: “We will allege that he (the spectator) resisted arrest quite violently.”

Sexual Predator,John Zimmerman faces sentence for disgusting acts on teen girls

 Sex fiend John Zimmerman to be sentenced over 87 charges

Thanks to some brave victims and the work of police this weak excuse of a man is off the streets and hopefully about to get 15 to 20 years for his devious crimes on teenage girls…He has been in jail quite a while now, but unbelievably his facebook page is still live…I’m amazed he still has all those friends….What a pig…http://www.facebook.com/people/John-Zimmerman/100000551464163

 December 15, 2011

ONE of Australia’s worst cyber criminals will be sentenced tomorrow for raping, stalking and grooming vulnerable underage girls.

His cruelty extended to laughing at one victim he coerced into having sex with him during her school lunch break, yelling “slut” from his car after dropping her at school.

Zimmerman, who used MySpace and Facebook to contact more than a thousand teens, has pleaded to three charges of rape, 23 charges of sexual penetration and five charges of an indecent act with a child under 16, involving girls aged between 12 and 17.

Zimmerman is expected to be sentenced to between 12 and 20 years in prison, which also include offences of making child pornography, stalking, procuring and grooming teenage girls via social media. He contacted them by “random” adding them to his Facebook and MySpace pages.

In all, Zimmerman has pleaded guilty to 87 charges involving crimes against 55 underage girls, accepting a plea deal which had the federal and state charges cut from in excess of 200.

Zimmerman is now regarded as a landmark case in predatory cyber crimes.

He was charged with illicitly having sex with seven underage girls – including two of whom stated to police they had lost their virginity to him.

Up to 40 other teens discovered on Zimmerman’s computer hard drives refused to speak with investigators or were not allowed to by their parents.

Twenty others may have been procured or groomed for sex, and other girls’ images could not be identified.

Legal loopholes have also prevented Victoria Police charging the sex fiend with offences they believe he committed outside Victoria.

Zimmerman is suspected of two sexual assaults interstate, including the alleged rape of an Adelaide minor.

Sources say up to 1900 girls were contacted by Zimmerman, who sent more than 60,000 messages over a two to three-year period. 

The 26-year-old Frankston man, who raided the MySpace fan site of a popular band he managed – The Getaway Plan – to stalk girls and then their online friends is on remand and living in a prison protection unit.

The Herald Sun can also reveal police are investigating similar stalkers but a small police team dedicated to tracking cyber sex groomers is struggling to handle the workload.

A court heard last month Zimmerman was a predator who never showed the hallmarks of a future child rapist.

Honing his skills on the internet no doubt...Sick bastard....

The County Court heard Zimmerman was thrust into a rock star lifestyle with the band he managed – in which young girls were “throwing themselves” at the band and their entourage.

But it was online where Zimmerman, flush with money and a delusional celebrity status, exploded.

The court heard he used MySpace and Facebook to lure teens into his web through over-the-top charm with the motivation to sexually exploit them.

Victims described Zimmerman as every girl’s worst fear and every parent’s nightmare.

His obsessive personality took hold in his 20s, possibly fuelled by his high libido, having never been in trouble before.

Some victims were wary of his ulterior motives as he complimented their looks saying he wanted to befriend them because they were “gorgeous” or “hot”.

Zimmerman would boast about his role with the band, offering tickets to concerts and to some a once in a lifetime chance to live the “high life” as bait.

He even bragged about managing pop stars Beyonce and Pink.

Once hooked online, his victims would be tempted into compromising positions, some posing for him on webcams that he would record with the stroke of a key to “screen grab” and later use as blackmail.

Two police operations, Tholos and later Vodoun, were launched into Zimmerman’s criminal activities after the victim of his boldest sexual crime came forward to police.

It was to unravel Zimmerman’s evil web and his silenced victims.

In her case, the 13-year-old was coerced to meet Zimmerman for sex in October 2009.

After accepting him on Facebook as a friend and chatting online, he convinced her during webcam chats to pose in her underwear, which days later he used to blackmail her by threatening to send images to her parents.

Zimmerman chose to force a meeting at a school near where she lived in Melbourne’s east.

As part of his modus operandi, he used two accounts, one depicting himself without an age, and an alias he dubbed “Jay” – a 17-year-old who was aggressive and highly sexually explicit.

Wearing a hoodie, Zimmerman told her not to look at him and led her to a secluded area where he raped her and then promised to destroy the images of her.

He would recant twice on his word, forcing her to meet him two more times for sex, each time covering her eyes to stop her looking at him.

After the third meeting the victim blocked “Jay” only for the harrassment to continue under his “Zimmo” account.

Zimmerman wrote as “Zimmo” he had received the images from “Jay” and demanded sex.

Photographs were attached to the victim as well as threats to kill her after she blocked his “Jay” account.

It continued until his arrest on November 20, 2009.

Nine days after his arrest Zimmerman opened another Facebook account to continue preying on underage girls.

Investigations into Zimmerman’s internet accounts led to the sexual crimes squad taking over in April, 2010, following Zimmerman’s second arrest on March 31.

What they found was staggering.

Over a two-year period, Zimmerman had sent more than 60,000 messages to young girls using three Facebook and two MySpace accounts, swapping between accounts in which he used his real identity and aliases. 

Three identities were predominantly used.

The first was the MySpace account “Zimmo”, an accurate profile except for his age that was created on January 25, 2005.

A second account, created on July 3, 2007, was a young, attractive blonde bi-sexual female he named Taylor, aged 18 to 23.

He used “Taylor” to exchange explicit pictures with other homosexual or bisexual females.

He then created “Johnny Zimmerman”. He switched to Facebook in 2008 and after his first arrest on November 20, opened “John Zimmerman”.

He also used “Jay”, as a secondary Facebook account.

“Jay” used similar techniques to the “Zimmo” MySpace page, but was even more explicit, aggressive and threatening.

Jay would often appear online after initial contact was made.

Seven email addresses and MSN was also used to correspond with victims.

Waiting for big bubba in the jail pool Zimma?

Such was Zimmerman’s thirst to lure and have sex with young girls, he continued his criminal behaviour after first being arrested and interviewed by police in November 2009.

Investigators would find he used similar techniques with each girl he befriended online to get them to interact with him.

Zimmerman would tell his prey they had been a “random” add and that he had wanted to add them to his “friends list” because they were “hot”.

Descriptions such as “gorgeous” and “pretty” were regularly used and questions about age were deflected.

The compliments would continue until he would ask them to use a webcam for a face-to-face chat.

If they accepted, he would ask them to pose scantily clad or nude and perform lewd acts.

Screen grabs would be recorded to use against the victim, with threats to send the compromising images to family and school friends if they refused to meet with him or comply with his demands.

He would often confront them first performing lewd acts.

Zimmerman also developed “challenging techniques”, using language to intimate a girl was too inexperienced or unworldly to “play” or have “fun” with him.

Any attempt to stop contact or block him was met with aggression and threats.

In April 2009, The Getaway Plan, already planning to sack him, split up, devastating Zimmerman and leading to a period of his most frenetic offending.

His cruelty extended to laughing at one victim he coerced into having sex with him during her school lunch break, yelling “slut” from his car after dropping her at school.

Another who revealed to him she had an eating disorder was mocked for it after she refused to comply with his demands.

Within a year he would be in custody, living in a maximum security prison protection unit, with one of Australia’s most high-profile murderers for a cellmate.

 

Kyle Garth charged with Jessie Cate’s Murder

Update 15/12/11 This is a really sad crime, and I feel devastated for the family and friends of this girl, who obviously trusted her sisters ex boyfriend enough to jump in a car with him…

This article is in most part ,thanks to Ashlee Mullany, Phil Hickey and Nicole Cox From PerthNow

THE ex-boyfriend of Dawesville teenager Jessie Cate’s older sister, a 19-year-old Pinjarra man, has been charged with murder after his arrest late yesterday.

Forensics search the area where the body of Jessie Cate was found

Kyle Rohan Garth, was charged early today with murdering Jessie Cate after allegedly picking her up outside her Falcon workplace on Monday night.

Mr Garth, dressed in blue police-issue forensic overalls, made a brief appearance in Mandurah Magistrate’s Court today.

He was not required to plead and did not speak during the court hearing.

Ex-boyfriend-charged-with-murder Police have established a crime scene where they believe Jessie’s body is buried in a bush grave near Tim’s Thicket, a popular fishing and four-wheel-drive spot at Bouvard, about 10km south of Mandurah.

The teenager had been missing since about 6.30pm on Monday when she left her job at Woolworths in Falcon, a southern suburb of Mandurah.

Tributes flow for Dawesville teenager

Mandurah crime scene

No bail application was made and Mr Garth was remanded in custody to appear in Stirling Garden Magistrates Court on December  21.

It has been discovered that Mr Garth is the ex-boyfriend of one of Jessie’s sisters. The relationship dissolved in July.

Sources say the accused man offered Jessie a lift from work at Woolworths in Falcon on Monday because it had been raining heavily. It is believed police will allege that Mr Garth attacked Jessie in the car.

The car has been seized by police and will be forensically examined.

Sources have told PerthNow that police interest in Mr Garth was sparked after he contacted Jessie’s mother Judy allegedly telling her he had given the teenager a ride to a park where she planned to meet a man.

But it is understood the police case will rest on claims that Mr Garth’s story and the time-frames he allegedly gave Jessie’s family did not check out when police investigated his claims.

After hours of questioning late last night he was charged with murder.

Meanwhile, forensic investigators are preparing the excavation of the Tim’s Thicket bush site where Jessie’s body is believed to be buried.

A cause of death has not been determined.

Jessie Cate, a vibrant young girl, murdered by her sisters ex boyfriend

Jessie had not been seen since Monday night when she is believed to have accepted a ride with a man, instead of catching her normal bus home from work because of the storms that day.

In a brief press conference this morning Police confirmed they are at a crime scene at Bouvard, south of Mandurah, where they believe Jessie’s body is buried.

Detective Inspector David Bryson from the Major Crime squad, said: “At approximately 7.45pm last night investigators took a 19-year-old man into custody.

“During the course of the evening we have located a crime scene in Bouvard where we believe that Jessica is buried.”

Det. Bryson refused to answer further questions but said that after being questioned throughout the night, the man was charged at 3.45am.

Outside court a friend of Jessie’s, Rob Webb, 22, said he and his mates are devastated byJessie’s death.

“It is pretty devastating, the whole world has gone down the drain,” Mr Webb said.

Mr Webb said Jessie and her boyfriend Harley were “extremely close”. “You wouldn’t see them apart,” he said.

A Facebook tribute page called Rest In Paradise Jessie Cate has been created, with hundreds of people joining within hours of the news that her body may have been found.

Leonie Currie-Godenzi wrote, “Our deepest sympathy and love to Judy and her beautiful family . . .  so sad and sorry for your loss. Jessie was a beautiful girl.”

Marissa Jadde posted, “Rest in paradise my beautiful baby girl. You were there when I cried. You listened to me bitch
about people and you laughed at my jokes that weren’t even funny.

“They’re the good things I’ll remember about you and your hugs and beautiful smile. I’d never forget you, I love you. You’re always in my heart.”

Lauren Greenhalgh said, “I love you my friend. Never forgotten always in our hearts forever. You mean the world and more to me. I miss you so much.”

The family have requested privacy to deal with their grief.

The teenager finished work at Falcon Woolworths supermarket about 6.30pm on Monday and was supposed to catch a bus from Old Coast Road outside the Miami Shopping Centre, but failed to return to her Dawesville home that night.

Last night it was reported on Channel Nine that Jessie’s family and friends have tried several times to call her and sent her text messages, but she did not reply, and has not been heard from since.

Jessie’s mum Judy made an impassioned plea last night for information about her daughter.

“If she’d gone somewhere else she would always text me, she’s always told me of her change of plans,” Mrs Cate said.

“She’s got love and respect for her family, she would not do this to me and she certainly would not do this to her boyfriend.

“This is not like her at all just to not let us know and certainly (to) have her phone turned off, she just would not do that.”

Her uncle Ric Troode said: “Jessie is a gorgeous young girl, mature, lovely family. She has three sisters and a little brother and is dearly loved. There are no disputes with her mum and the kids get on so well together,” Mr Troode said yesterday.

Mr Troode said Jessie’s family and three siblings, aged between five and 17, had been left devastated by her disappearance, which has turned into the worst possible news.

Anyone with further information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333000.

Family of Jessie Cate ‘shattered’ over death

December 13, 2011

Jessie Cate’s body was found in a shallow grave in bushland.

The uncle of dead Dawesville teenager Jessie Cate says the family is “shattered” at the loss of their little girl.

Police have charged a 19-year-old man with Jessie’s murder after her body was recovered from a shallow grave in Bouvard bushland, only kilometres away from her home, on Tuesday night.

The 15-year-old schoolgirl left her casual job as a cashier at Woolworths at the Miami Shopping Centre about 6.30pm on Monday but failed to return home.

Rob Webb, a friend of Jessie and her boyfriend Harley.

Her mother, Judy Cate, raised the alarm with police after she was contacted about Jessie getting a lift to a nearby oval to meet friends.

Ms Cate said she doubted her daughter would have gone out in the rain and made an emotional plea on Tuesday for her daughter to come home.

But major crime detectives delivered the news yesterday that Jessie’s body had been found and a man charged with murder.

Jessie Cate failed to return home from work.

Kyle Rohan Garth, 19, briefly faced Mandurah Magistrate’s Court over Jessie’s murder, dressed in blue prison overalls but did not say anything.

Mr Garth was an ex-boyfriend of Jessie’s older sister and had worked at Woolworths with the teenager. The family have refused to comment about Mr Garth.

Jessie’s uncle Ric Troode said the family will now wait to recover the body before making funeral arrangements.

“Once we get our little girl back we will make a full statement and thank all the people we need to thank,” he told television reporters.

“The news has been absolutely shattering… the whole family’s feeling the pain.”

Gemma Fox, a friend of Jessie, told Channel Ten it had been “the most devastating thing we’ve heard in our life” and many of them had “cried for hours and hours”.

Four friends attended Mandurah Magistrates Court yesterday to see for themselves the man who has been charged with killing their young friend.

Mr Garth listened to the charge of murdering Jessie Cate being read out in court but was not required to enter a plea.

He was led away to be held in custody until his next court date at Stirling Gardens Magistrate’s Court on December 21.

She texted ‘I love you too’

Just minutes before she went missing, Jessie sent a loving message to her boyfriend Harley Murphy, 17.

“She has actually been at her happiest because she had a new boyfriend for the last two months and she spends half the time with him and his family, and the other half of the time with us,” Mrs Cate said.

“As soon as she finished work at 6.30, when [her boyfriend] knew that she was going to be finishing he sent her a text message saying ‘I love you’, she texted back ‘I love you too’ and then he texted her a smiley face.

“He expected [a] return [text] because Jessie would return any message she gets … and he did not hear from her after that and that was around 6.35.”

Rob Webb, 22, a friend of Jessie and her boyfriend, said Harley went looking for Jessie the night of her disappearance.

He said even though Harley did not have a driver’s licence, he spent hours looking for her.

He said the couple were inseparable, and that they were “just always together… you wouldn’t see them apart”.

Harley posted on a Facebook tribute page: “Rest in peace my baby, you will always be in my heart.”

Mr Webb said he and three other friends of the young couple went to court yesterday on behalf of Harley, who he said was going ”berserk” at the news that his girlfriend was dead.

A friend within Harley’s circle of mates also confirmed that Mr Garth was a former boyfriend of Jessie’s sister and was known to the teenager.

Investigation continues

Forensic and major crime officers have cordoned off a large area of bushland in Bouvard, near Mandurah. It is expected to remain cordoned off for some time while investigations continue.

A red Nissan Bluebird, with a P-plate visible on the windscreen, has been towed away from the scene by forensic police, according to 6PR radio.

Jessie allegedly got a lift in the red car, driven by Mr Garth, to avoid waiting for her usual 594 bus in the stormy weather.

Police escalated the search for Jessie on Tuesday much more quickly than usual missing persons reports as her behaviour and lack of contact were so out of character.

“I called the police just after half past eight, quarter to nine, when she didn’t come home on the last bus,” Mrs Cate said.

“… I knew she’s gone somewhere else … she would not do that.

“I was told she was dropped at a nearby oval to meet friends and I know that can’t be true because she would have told me about that change of plans and she wouldn’t have been dropped off in that kind of weather.

“I know my Jessie … she would have just preferred to come home.

“She doesn’t like to be in any kind of weather you know; her hair was very important to her, she didn’t like it going curly.”

Mr Garth was taken into custody at 7.45pm on Tuesday, and was charged with murder after eight hours of questioning.

Mr Webb, 22, was at court for Mr Garth’s appearance and said that they were in shock, and struggling to cope with the news of Jessie’s death.

Mr Webb said it was “pretty devastating, it seems the world’s gone down the drain”.

“I have only met her a few times but she was always polite, always happy and really respectful,” he said.

Tributes flow

Friends have set up a Facebook page paying tribute to the teenager, with condolences flowing in for her family.

One friend wrote: “rest in peace jesse baby you were one of a kind and none of us will be the same without you, you brought laughter and happiness to everyones lifes (sic) this isnt fair and shouldnt of happend to you. Your (sic) in a safer pleace now babygirl love you xo miss you already.”

Jessie’s employer Woolworths also issued a statement, offering condolences to her family, friends and work colleagues.

Woolworths WA regional manager Brad Bolin said the company had made arrangements for staff at the Miami store to be offered counselling.

“Jessie had been working at the Miami store as a service cashier for just six weeks but she had made a lasting impression as a promising young woman,” the statement read.

“She will be greatly missed by her colleagues.

“Woolworths is helping the Western Australia Police with their enquiries.

“On behalf of Woolworths staff around the country, I extend my condolences to Jessie’s family, friends and loved ones.”

Friends gathered at the Miami Plaza Shopping Centre to set up a Cate family fund and to mourn the loss of Jessie.

Close friends Clare Myhill and Kieana Copeland said she was a beautiful, fun and friend-orientated person.

“I found out what had happened from Facebook and have been watching the news and listening to the radio all day to see if it was true,” Clare said.

“It’s just upsetting to think something like this has happened to her.”

A desk was set up in front of the Woolworths store for mourners to place flowers in respect of the young girl and a tin was placed at the reception for donations to the family.

“She loved kids and animals like rabbits and other cuddly animals, she was kind and very loving,” Clare said.

To donate to the Cate family fund BSB 066-200 Account number 1004 9163.

This article is in most part ,thanks to Ashlee Mullany, Phil Hickey and Nicole Cox From PerthNow

Matthew Newton- Coat tale loser has lost it again

First off, I want to say I have a very good understanding of Mental health Issues…, first, second and third hand, I DO NOT make light of those suffering who WANT to help themselves instead of looking for excuses…

TROUBLED actor Matthew Newton has been charged with allegedly punching a Sydney taxi driver in the head.Now honestly, this bonehead has been living off the coat tails of his somewhat famous father and mother since he was about 3. It certainly opened doors, and NOW hopefully those same doors are being slammed tight shut, ready to be opened by hard-working talented actors who had the misfortune of not coming from a famous Aussie TV Family…This dipstick just does not get it…

He is not some Hollywood megatsar who the world bends over backwards for.

Matthew is the mildly talented son of a TV legend, Bert Newton, who surely has used up every favour he was ever owed over his 60 year career!

Matthew Newton caught out being a complete tool again...Disgraced his family name again and has run at out favours from Dad

Police allege Newton hailed a cab in Crows Nest at 10.30 Sunday morning December 4.

”The driver alleges he then became aggressive and punched him in the head,” a police spokesman said today.

”The 66-year-old driver stopped the cab and it is alleged he was assaulted again.”

The Underbelly star was issued with a court attendance notice after being charged with common assault. He will appear at North Sydney court on January 31.

Newton was once one of the country’s most promising stars before public relationship breakdowns with actresses Brooke Satchwell and Rachael Taylor.

SLIPPER the RORT ripper, Now our Speaker!

This is going to be a ONGOING story about this little PIG PETER SLIPPER,who for years and years has done nothing but take all he can GOUGE out of the public purse…

(I have been away so have not had the chance to detail this greedy mongrel from the start…but we will!!)

Peter Slipper the benefit Ripper...

I have been finding mountains of stuff on this useless greedy self-serving little turd for weeks, and the stories keep coming…Dirty back room deals, piss pot habits, too drunk for Question time, Sexual harassment, Rorting in every nook and cranny he could…His actual contribution to politics could be written in a sentence or 2.

His gouging and freebies, and self entitlement has amazed pollies for years…I would be surprised if he had the need to spend one of his own dollars in the last decade actually… So what does that say about Gillard pulling a shifty and appointing him Speaker? Self serving gutter politics to say the least. yes the liberals put up with him, no doubt he has some tales to tell on that bunch…

Whether he could remember them is another question, all evidence suggests he is pissed on our dime most of the time…A reason why he never drives and has exorbitant Taxi bills at all ours around the traps

The man appointed as Federal Parliament’s standard bearer, has racked up more than $7000 in overseas mobile phone calls in just six months.

Mr Slipper – whose excessive spending is being examined by the Department of Finance – spent $1551.83 in January during a two-week tour of Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand.

His overseas calls spiked again in April and May when he again travelled overseas on a six-week trek to Britain, Morocco, Gibraltar, Spain, Portugal and Germany. His phone bill reached $1862.17 in April and then $2733.24 in a two-month frenzy of phone activity.

Records show Mr Slipper spent over $14,000 on telecommunications for the six months, placing him fifth overall and behind Opposition leader Tony Abbott.

The Sunshine Coast MP declined to comment on whether his wife, Inge-Jane Hall, who travelled with him to Europe, or other family members contributed to the massive mobile phone bill.

JOEL Morehu Barlow-Where’s our 16 million dollars? UPDATES

JOEL Morehu-Barlow, the 36-year-old State Government executive wanted for questioning over alleged fraud-related activity, is in police custody.

I wanted to post this the other day, but I could not believe what I was hearing, this bloke has been living the best of the best life styles on a public servant salary and for some reason has been under the radar. Now Bligh is furious, maybe because she knows we know she has fucked up on this one…At a time when QLDer’s are tightening their belts left right and centre, when they are dipping into their own pockets after floods devastated the state etc. we find out pricks like Barlow are using state funds like their own piggy bank…

Now they have caught him today, and reading between the lines, he may have attempted suicide, the mess needs to be cleaned up…SAD YES…BUT how the hell does this happen over and over by these greedy bastards? Hopefully we will find out folks… What is really interesting to me is this crook has been the darling of the social scene up there for years (at 36yrs of age, GOV employee do not forget) So what where they all thinking as he paraded around in his fine threads and massive property expenditure????

UPDATE 14/12/11

THE $16 million Queensland Health swindle may have been so easy to detect that it was detailed in the department’s own annual reports.

SURELY MANY MORE HEADS HAVE TO ROLL IN THIS DEBACLE? WE ARE NOT TALKING ABOUT SOME SMALL PANEL BEATERS BOOKEEPER SLICING OFF THE CREAM, THIS IS A MAJOR FRAUD THAT WOULD BE ABSOLUTELY ASTOUNDING TO BE FOUND TRO BE CARRIED OUT BY ONE SOLITARY MID MANAGER IN A GOVERNMENT DEPARMENT. Lets not even bother with his dubious past and convictions and how he got the job in the first place…How about where the fuck are the checks and balances over 3 years when Queenslanders are being told to tighten their belts, yet at the same time commit money to all the dramas they have endured up there… (mind you we all gave money from around Australia in their time of need)

It was revealed yesterday that an entity owned by the health employee accused of orchestrating the scam received $4 million in grants.

But rather than hidden in the bowels of the department, every cent received over the past three years appears to have been printed in “funded organisations” sections of the glossy reports.

On Wednesday, Premier Anna Bligh said she was “very angry” at circumstances surrounding the alleged swindle.

“It is equally clear that an investigation last year into a complaint was not sufficiently rigorous,” Ms Bligh said. Really????

“It is also clear that some of the financial checks and balances that should be in place are either not there or not rigorous enough.”

The revelation raises fresh doubts about the effort put into an internal investigation last year about near-identical allegations.

It will also increase pressure on the Bligh Government to sack senior health officials who were left clueless about millions of dollars going missing.

Police yesterday charged 36-year-old Brisbane social scene identity Joel Morehu-Barlow with one count of defrauding Queensland Health of $11 million.

It has been alleged Morehu-Barlow scammed $16 million over about three years in his role within the department handing out grants to the non-government sector.

The case has captivated the state with details of the health system middle manager’s opulent lifestyle emerging, from a $130,000 birthday bash to him passing himself off as a Tahitian prince.

But while Premier Anna Bligh has described the scam as sophisticated, it may have been as simple as setting up an entity with a believable business name.

Business searches show Morehu-Barlow set up a sole trading entity named “Healthy Initiatives and Choices” in September 2008.

The business does not appear to have an address, telephone number or even a website.

However, Queensland Health’s last three annual reports show it was getting growing amounts of public cash.

It received $180,000 in 2008/09, $1.37 million in 2009/10 and $2.56 million in 2010/11.

Other organisations receiving donations include the Inala PCYC, Kidsafe Queensland and Beyond Blue.

Queensland Health refused to confirm or deny the grants to Healthy Initiatives and Choices were related to the $16 million swindle.

“As this is a police matter, we cannot comment,” a spokesman said.

Deputy Opposition Leader Tim Nicholls said that, while he was unaware if the grants to Healthy Initiatives and Choices were related to the fraud investigation, it was incumbent on the Government to explain the payments.

“We are asking legitimate public administration questions about payments published in annual reports,” he said.

Joel Barlow, seems he loved spending OUR money as a Government beancounter

At 9am Monday it was confirmed that Mr Morehu-Barlow was being supervised by police inside Royal Brisbane Hospital. There was no information about his condition.

Mr Morehu-Barlow, who police have been scouring Queensland for since Thursday night, was found at an address in New Farm around 3am Monday morning.

Police said he was wanted for questioning as part of an investigation into fraudulent activity relating to a large sum of money belonging to Queensland Health.

Mr Morehu-Barlow was taken into custody when he was about to enter his luxury riverfront unit in Moray St.

Claire O’Rourke, who lives in the Moray St building next door to the luxury apartment block, said she was woken about 3am by a commotion.

Police checks miss fugitive’s past

She said it was “disconcerting” to learn Queensland’s most wanted man had been arrested just metres away.

“I woke up about 3am and the police were just coming down round the side of the house,” she said.

“I had no idea that he was here. I knew that he lived in the area just from what I had heard on the news.

“I think it’s great that they caught him so quickly.”

On Monday morning, police forensic experts were at Mr Morehu-Barlow’s apartment. Charges are yet to be laid.

Police Minister Neil Roberts said he did not know whether Mr Morehu-Barlow put up a struggle during his arrest.

“In the early hours of this morning, a little after 3.30am I understand, the alleged offender presented himself and tried to get into a unit and they were able to apprehend him,” Mr Roberts said.

“The individual has been taken into custody and is undergoing questioning.

“Police will release further details throughout the day.

“It’s very satisfying to see it brought to an early conclusion.”

A nationwide search had been underway since Thursday after it was discovered millions of dollars, destined for Queensland charities, had allegedly been ripped off the government.

The government believes the money was directed into private accounts over three year years, with $11 million going missing in one transaction in the last two weeks.

Barlows mansion...But who paid for that?

An employee raised the alarm when they noticed a discrepancy last Thursday.

New Zealand-born Mr Morehu-Barlow has been a Queensland Health employee since 2005.

Police froze $12 million of his assets last Friday, including a swank property, luxury cars and artwork.

Premier Anna Bligh on Monday morning welcomed news that Mr Morehu-Barlow had been found.

“Police have acted calmly and methodically and covered all the bases. This morning they got their man,” said the Premier.

“I want to congratulate them for their police work on behalf of the people of Queensland.”

Ms Bligh said that Mr Morehu-Barlow’s arrest was not the end of the matter.

“This is just the beginning. It is unacceptable that this could happen and we are working to close any loopholes that exist,” she said.

“The courts will deal with Mr Morehu-Barlow and we will deal with the system.”

More on this story as it comes to hand…

Related articles

• JOEL Morehu Barlow-Wheres our 16 million dollars? (aussiecriminals.wordpress.com)
• Accused fraudster ‘devastated’ by charge (heraldsun.com.au)
• Wanted Qld Health employee in hospital (news.smh.com.au)
• Wanted Qld Health employee in hospital (news.theage.com.au)
• Public servant on the run ‘a naughty boy’ (news.smh.com.au)
• Public servant on the run ‘a naughty boy’ (news.theage.com.au)
• Police arrest wanted Qld Health employee (news.theage.com.au)
• Queensland fraud suspect still in hospital (news.smh.com.au)

Matthew Johnson gets LIFE minimum 32 years

UPDATE 11.40am: THE man who murdered gangland boss Carl Williams has been jailed for life.

Well no real surprises here that he got life, he knew the score and realised his future was always going to be in jail (if not for all the other crimes he would have committed if released) So he has fulfilled his self-confessed prophecy and its HOME SWEET HOME for Johnson. Maybe the authorities will choose his next cell mates a bit more wisely, if he gets any at all…And he will be doing it tough, as he won’t have the generous little kick of a couple hundred a month that Carl Williams old man, George was sending him prior to killing his son anymore…..

Listen to the Judge sentence this low life here… http://mp3.news.com.au/hwt/Matthew_Johnson_sentence_excerpt_8dec11.mp3

The Premier and the General

Matthew Charles Johnson, 38, must serve at least 32 years for what Justice Lex Lasry described as “an appalling murder”.

Williams was bashed to death as he sat reading a newspaper in a Barwon Prison unit in April last year.

Johnson’s claim of self-defence was rejected by a Supreme Court jury and today Justice Lasry said it was a “fanciful” defence.

He said Johnson killed Williams because the underworld figure was helping police over the murders of police informer Terence Hodson and his wife Christine.

The judge said Johnson was the “General” of a prison gang called the Prisoners of War who hated anyone assisting police – and he could not be seen to condone what his cellmate Williams was doing.

Justice Lasry said Johnson seemed to think he had a “special entitlement to kill” and Williams had died as a result of a “meaningless prison code”.

He also hit out at prison authorities for housing Williams with Johnson, who has more than 150 convictions and a known hatred of criminals who assist police.

“How the prison authorities allowed that to happen is beyond me,” he said.

“On any view you were a threat to his welfare”.

Williams’s father George, ex-wife Roberta and her children were in court for the sentencing.

Toby Mitchell shooting- “Prisoners on War” Jail Gang link

AN underworld criminal linked with powerful jail gang Prisoners of War is being investigated over the public shooting of bikie enforcer Toby Mitchell.

Danielle McGuire outside Royal Melbourne Hospital on Friday, as were several Bandidos members. Inset: Toby Mitchell. (This Image digitally enhanced by the Herald Sun)

The feared jail gang leader and an associate led police on a short chase in the city on Thursday before being arrested with a pistol.

The gun was found under the front seat of a luxury car that was being driven the wrong way up tram tracks on Collins St.

The gun was not the same firearm used to blast up to six bullets at Mitchell – the Bandidos sergeant-at-arms – near a supermarket carpark in Brunswick three days earlier.

Police also found what they believe to be a gym floor plan in the car.

Mitchell was shot outside Doherty’s Gym while talking to owner Tony Doherty.

Following the city arrests, police conducted further raids in Skye and Mill Park.

Detectives initially denied there was a link between the city arrests and the Mitchell shooting.

• Bystanders feared for lives in shootout
• Weapons searches won’t be publicised
• Payback theory on bikie shooting Herald Sun, 3 days ago
• Shot bikie strongman ‘under surveillance’ Adelaide Now, 5 days ago
• Police call bikie shooting amateur hit Courier Mail, 7 days ago
• Enforcer feared he was a target Adelaide Now, 7 days ago
• Shot bikie won’t co-operate with police Perth Now, 7 days ago

Toby Mitchell lost a kidney and part of his liver after being shot multiple times in Brunswick

Mitchell has refused to make a statement to police from his hospital bed and investigators have chosen not to release CCTV footage from Bandidos security cameras outside their Weston St clubhouse, next to the gym.

Mitchell was repeatedly shot as he ran from his attackers and has had surgery to remove a kidney.

It is believed he was placed in an induced coma at the weekend and has also lost part of his liver.

Sources have told the Herald Sun that Mitchell was shot up to five times.

The daylight shooting in front of schoolchildren and shoppers has the potential to escalate into a deadly war between organised crime figures and outlaw bikies.

It is believed the Mitchell shooting is related to a planned hit on his predecessor as Bandidos sergeant-at-arms, Lee Undy.

Undy was jailed for 22 months last month over firearm offences, leaving Mitchell to take over his enforcer position at the club.

A feud, which has led to heavy-handed treatment of underworld figures by Undy and Mitchell over drugs, is believed to be at the centre of the conflict.

Undy, who drives a Ferrari and has a tattoo “FTW” (f— the world), on his face, was a regular visitor to Thailand and Dubai.

The court heard last month Undy was arming himself after police warned him of the threat to his life.

One of the theories to emerge about the Mitchell hit was that it was ordered by a player in Melbourne’s drug trade.

Another is that an underworld figure’s arms were broken by Bandidos.

It was also claimed that Roberta Williams’ fiance Rob Carpenter had been bashed by club members.

In other developments:

POLICE know where the Ford Territory used by the gunmen was stolen from.

A GANGLAND figure photographed at the funeral of Williams’ henchman Benji Veniamin, who is a King St regular, had his arms broken by members of a bikie gang.

LEADING bikie figures have been to Asia helping set up new chapters.

 

Related articles

• Toby Mitchell shooting- “Prisoners on War” Jail Gang link (aussiecriminals.wordpress.com)
• City arrests linked to bikie shooting (heraldsun.com.au)
• Shot bikie and the bashing (theage.com.au)
• Bikie clubhouse searched (theage.com.au)
• Gangland lover at sick bed of shot bikie (heraldsun.com.au)

Harness Racing Scandal-Will it ever end? UPDATES

I covered this when it first broke and while ago in another thread, but we are still barely breaking the tip of the iceberg  folks. This si going to become the BIGGEST SCANDAL ever seen in any SPORT in this COUNTRY if not the world. The scope of the con is so wide and so deep that it may take the whole deck of cards to fall where every player is putting in the other to try to save some jail time. From top line trainers, starters, stewards, Rookies, young and old, Punters, bookmakers and Vets.

This is an outrage that it was allowed to fester along for years until it became common knowledge and still nothing was done with the bloody head in the sand attitude of NSW Harness Racing Authority Officials.Those involved had their noses so deep in the trough they must have been blinded by greed to let it prosper and think they would not get caught.

What will happen to those who make it to court and prosecutions? STUFF ALL is my guess, banned from tracks, big deal, a slap on the wrist, a few thousand dollars in fines and a mate will get you a job somewhere for keeping your mouth shut in 6 months time! The whole Board and every single official MUST be scrutinised as should every single driver to of ever won a race over these last few years, and that is probably not going back far enough.

The difficult part will be keeping on top of what’s going on with who, the Industry is now a shambles with shifty eyes, distrust, secret meetings and phone calls etc. At least if the NSW Police and the Government are fair dinkum is leaving no stone unturned, these cheating bastards have already been Identified, been under surveillance and recorded with plenty of evidence.

Trainer/driver Ben Sarina stood down

UPDATE Today at 1:25pm

Trainer/Driver Ben Sarina...Another dirty rotten greedy cheat, along with Dad too, trained him well...

SYDNEY, Dec 14 – Trainer/driver Ben Sarina has been stood down by Harness Racing NSW and charged with giving false evidence during their investigation into industry corruption.

Sarina was charged on Wednesday, a day after his father, trainer Greg Sarina, was also stood down for allegedly lying to authorities.

Ben Sarina is alleged to have given false evidence in relation to his telephone communication with former steward Paul O’Toole.

O’Toole, who resigned from his post earlier this year, has since been arrested and charged by police with a total of 38 counts of allegedly receiving or attempting to receive benefits through corruption.

He was one of five harness racing identities arrested last month in relation to the corruption scandal that came to light in August.

At that time, O’Toole was one of two stewards who resigned amid allegations some stewards were not ordering swabs from certain horses in certain races, to the knowledge of other participants of the practice.

Ben Sarina will have his charge heard by the special stewards’ panel appointed specifically to deal with the corruption scandal.

No date has been set for the hearing.

The paper trail goes long and deep these days you silly greedy pricks and all that is happening is the WAIT for your turn to be arrested. SHAME on you all All your greedy filthy faces will be planted here right on top for everyone to see too!

Disgraced Top driver Greg Bennett

Disgraced driver Dean Atkinson

Paul O'Toole ... resigned in August.

November 28, 2011

HARNESS racing legend Brian Hancock enjoyed Miracle Mile night as a spectator but like many who ventured to Menangle he was left wondering, who’s next?

This quandary has little to do with finding next year’s winner of the great race or who will be Smoken Up’s next victim.

Hancock is simply trying to work out who, or who isn’t, involved in the sickening harness racing scandal that is getting uglier by the day. Who will be the next trainer, driver or steward who will open their front door to the boys in blue?

So far five people have been arrested and charged by Strike Force Tairora. Whether proven innocent or guilty, the reputations of premier driver Greg Bennett, Cameron Fitzpatrick, Dean Atkinson, Michael Russo and Paul O’Toole have already been damaged. Between them, 60 charges of corruption have been laid.

Smoken works a miracle

Net widens in harness scam

Two more arrests in race scandal
And the hottest tip sweeping the western Sydney track on Saturday night was that more people could be added to the tally today. The same names keep being dropped and they are certainly household identities widely known by the general public. The mood, especially in the stabling enclosure, wasn’t like any normal Miracle Mile night.

There was tension and not just from those who were nervous about the prospect of winning a $500,000 race.

“It was hard to look a few different people in the eye and know whether or not they have been involved,” Hancock said.

“I noticed a few people looking down at their toes and you start to wonder, are they the next who will go? There was something uneasy about the night, I enjoyed the racing and the Miracle Mile is always a tremendous race with plenty of action – but it was just a little different.”

Hancock is entitled to feel this way given he has been consumed by harness racing for 45 years. He has dedicated the majority of his life to the sport and gets a sick feeling in his stomach when thinking about how he, and the honest, hard-working trainers and drivers have been dudded. How they have all been dragged in to the whirlpool and branded with notorious “red-hots” tag.

“Everyone is entitled to their day in court, no one is guilty until it is proven but I’ll have no sympathy for them,” he said. “Some I have considered friends and competed alongside for years but if they have been taking advantage of us then they deserve to wear the consequences. If they do jail-time then so be it.”

The timing of the police raids, just days out from the Miracle Mile – Sydney’s biggest race – upset many harness racing lovers. The feeling is that authorities could have addressed the situation after the weekend so that the spotlight was fixed on the horses and the spectacle.

Harness Racing NSW certainly didn’t have any understanding that the police, who justifiably don’t need to explain their actions, were about to strike and therefore can’t be accused.

Whatever the driving force, it can’t be changed now, the floodgates have already opened.

THE harness racing scandal may be isolated to races in NSW, but the investigation into the elaborate scam is set to cross state boundaries as the hunt for the money trail continues.

No further arrests were made by Strike Force Tairora yesterday, but several harness racing identities remain on edge, privately telling friends and fellow participants that it won’t be long until the police arrive on their doorstep.

“This is just scraping the tip of the iceberg,” Harness Racing NSW regulatory manager Reid Sanders said yesterday.

Disgraced Top driver Greg Bennett arrested

As shocking as it has been to see five people, including leading drivers Greg Bennett, Cameron Fitzpatrick, trainers Dean Atkinson and Michael Russo and steward Paul O’Toole arrested – others involved in the scandal have yet to be charged.

Sanders, who is conducting a separate investigation to the NSW Police, is keen for trainers and drivers to be brought to justice, but he is also adamant those pulling the strings behind the scenes must be caught.

Related Coverage

• Stench of corruption leaves bitter taste Courier Mail, 1 hour ago
• Two more arrests in race scandal The Daily Telegraph, 2 days ago
• More trotting arrests The Daily Telegraph, 2 days ago
• Trots in turmoil over fixing FoxSports, 2 days ago
• Police put top trots driver on charges Courier Mail, 2 days ago

“There are a number of people located interstate that we intend to speak to regarding our investigation. We have limited our investigation to races conducted in NSW,” Sanders said. “We will be sitting down and speaking with police early in the week and after that we will have a better understanding as to where we are positioned and how we can move on from here.

“Our investigations were almost complete, we were

close to being in a position to act, but that has been placed on hold at this stage while we wait on the outcome of the moves by police.”

It was alleged in Lithgow Local Court on Thursday that steward Paul O’Toole received more than $400,000 for his involvement, a figure denied by his legal team.

This figure is sizeable, but a source has indicated to The Sunday Telegraph that punters, who were also receiving the information as to which horses would be given the green light, were netting substantial sums on some races.

Cameron Fitzpatrick, the son of premier trainer and Harold Park legend Paul Fitzpatrick, was stood down from duties at Menangle Park last night as a result of his arrest.

Cameron is understood to have made advances to Harness Racing NSW to attend the Miracle Mile meeting despite the charges against his name.

HRNSW officials informed the youngest of three Fitzpatrick boys that he was not to attend and that measures would be put in place to ensure that he was not on course.

AUSTRALIA’S biggest racing scandal in decades is set to see further arrests, after two more prominent trotting identities were charged with corruption-related offences yesterday.

The new developments have come as more details emerge about police allegations made in Lithgow Local Court on Thursday against former top trots steward Paul O’Toole, who faces 38 charges related to corrupt benefits.

The Daily Telegraph understands police are alleging more than $430,000 were deposited by others into a joint account operated by O’Toole over a 20-month period. Police are going to allege that some of these deposits were made by industry identities involved in the scandal.

Yesterday, trainer Dean Atkinson and driver Cameron Fitzpatrick were arrested near Goulburn and Camden respectively after police executed search warrants on their addresses.

• Robbie Morris gains Miracle drive
• Stench of corruption leaves bitter taste Courier Mail, 1 hour ago
• Net widens in harness scam The Daily Telegraph, 1 day ago
• More trotting arrests The Daily Telegraph, 2 days ago
• Trots in turmoil over fixing FoxSports, 2 days ago
• Police put top trots driver on charges Courier Mail, 2 days ago

Both were hit with three corruption charges, taking to 60 the number of charges police made against five industry identities – who also include the sport’s premier driver Greg Bennett and trainer Michael Russo – over a 24-hour period from Thursday morning. Atkinson and Fitzpatrick were stood down immediately by Harness Racing NSW, under rules in which industry participants can be directed not to participate pending charges or investigations. Bennett had been similarly stood down 24 hours earlier.

Fitzpatrick’s father, Paul – one of the top trainers in Sydney harness racing – declined to comment about his son’s arrest. But it is believed more arrests are imminent. Harness Racing NSW regulatory boss Reid Sanders said yesterday he would meet police officials next week for a full briefing on where their investigation stands.

“We also need to give them an update on where we’re at,” he said. “We have more persons of interest than have so far been arrested.”

Sanders said HRNSW had stood down people who were “interviewed by us prior to being arrested by police”.

It was alleged in Lithgow Local Court on Thursday that steward Paul O'Toole received more than $400,000 for his involvement, a figure denied by his legal team.

Meanwhile, police are understood to have alleged O’Toole allowed some trainers to administer what are known as “milkshakes” and other performance boosters to horses at six racetracks across NSW – Menangle, Bathurst, Penrith, Bankstown, Goulburn and Parkes – in many cases in exchange for financial benefits.

Although O’Toole was granted bail, he was forced to surrender his passport and asked not to contact trotting identities including Bennett, Russo, Atkinson, Fitzpatrick and another former steward, Matthew Bentley. Sanders reiterated his comments that there had never been an “investigation of this nature and scale in any racing code in Australia and the world”

November 25, 2011 1:43PM

LEADING driver Cameron Fitzpatrick and trainer Dean Atkinson have both been arrested and charged by police this morning for their involvement in the harness racing scandal engulfing the sport.

LEADING driver Cameron Fitzpatrick and trainer Dean Atkinson have both been arrested and charged by police this morning for their involvement in the harness racing scandal engulfing the sport.

The moves by Strike Force Tairora came 24-hours after three arrests were made to New South Wales’ best driver of the past decade Greg Bennett, steward Paul O’Toole and trainer Michael Russo.

Cameron Fitzpatrick, the son of premier trainer Paul, was charged with two counts of corruption and is due to appear in Penrith Local Court on December 15.

Atkinson was also charged with two counts of corruption and will appear in Picton Local Court on December 20.

The arrests have given harness racing an untimely black-eye when the focus should be on the $500,000 Miracle Mile at Tabcorp Park Menangle tomorrow night.