Mandurah death: Four teens face court

Fourth teenager charged with the St Patricks Day murder of Mandurah man Tauri Litchfield, 28, last month. Source: PerthNow

A FOURTH teenage boy has appeared in court charged with the St Patrick?s Day murder of Mandurah man, Tauri Litchfield.

Major Crime Squad detectives charged the fourth teenager, a 14-year-old from Warnbro, with murder after he was arrested yesterday in the Pilbara town of Tom Price, 1500km north of Perth.

He was due to appear in court via video link from Tom Price to Carnarvon this morning but instead appeared via video link before Judge Denis Reynolds at the Perth Children’s Court, alongside his three co-accused.

The trio, a 15-year-old boy from Mandurah, a 14-year-old from Leda and a 14-year-old from Thornlie, were last week charged with killing Mr Litchfield.

They are in custody and appeared in court via video link from Banksia Hill juvenile detention centre.

During the hearing today, it was revealed the fourth boy was in Tom Price with his father and was arrested by local police yesterday.

Detectives from Major Crime then flew to the Pilbara town where they questioned the teenager and charged him with murder last night.

Because of the town’s remote locality, legal representation for the boy could not be found.

Lawyers representing the three other boys told the court they would not be making any applications for bail but were seeking an adjournment as well as disclosure of materials including the police recorded interviews.

Judge Reynolds granted the request and adjourned the case until May 24.

He ordered the three boys remain in custody.

He also adjourned the fourth boy’s case to the same date and ordered he be brought to Perth and held in custody, but appear before him next week once he has been able to obtain legal advice.

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Three in court over stolen Porsche, chase

IN COURT: Three people face court today over the theft of a luxury Porsche and police chase which ended in a crash. Source: Herald Sun

THREE men will face court today following a high speed police chase with a stolen Porsche yesterday.

The luxury car was stolen from West Leederville at the weekend and yesterday police attempted to stop the vehicle on Ivanhoe Street, Morley.

However the car sped away from the officers and a short time later was involved in a collision with another car Beechboro.

Police will allege the driver and two passengers tried to flee the scene before they were arrested.

All three will appear in Perth Magistrates Court today.

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Killer Mansell 'wasting time' in court

News Images of Cameron Mansell Supplied by Cameron Mansell from Jail (Criag Puddy murder) A scan of the note too. Source: PerthNow

CONVICTED murderer Cameron Mansell is "wasting time'' with unsuccessful court applications when he should be focusing on his appeal next week, a West Australian Supreme Court judge says.

Mansell was sentenced to life in prison with an 18-year minimum in November 2011 after a jury found him guilty of murdering Perth multi-millionaire Craig Puddy, 45, who went missing in May 2010.

Mansell has made several interlocutory applications to the Court of Appeal, including three new applications that were rejected today.

"The appellant is wasting time by bringing meritless interlocutory applications, time which could be spent on preparation for the appeal,'' Justice Christopher Pullin said.

The first application was that the guilty verdict be set aside because the state had not complied with statutory requirements, rendering some exhibits inadmissible and breaching part of the disclosure process regarding witnesses not called to testify. Justice Pullin said he would treat it as an application for leave to amend the grounds of appeal, but noted it should be dismissed because the points had previously been raised in another ground that was rejected.

The second application related to discs containing media reports about the case to be submitted into evidence with the word 'Mansell' used 349 times, the words 'murder' or 'killed' used 99 times, and 'Puddy' used 153 times.

He argued the articles would have left a "lasting imprint'' in jury members' psyche, thus influencing their decision-making process.

Mansell claimed the evidence was relevant to two grounds of his appeal, but Justice Pullin dismissed the notion.
The third application was to vacate the date for the appeal hearing, which is due to begin next Wednesday.

Mansell claimed there were "obstructions'' to his preparation because he was in custody, but Justice Pullin rejected the assertion.

Mansell, who worked at a bar part-owned by Mr Puddy, has denied killing his employer after he was confronted about stealing money.

During his trial, Mansell's lawyers argued he was at Mr Puddy's home when three thugs entered and killed Mr Puddy over a drug debt, and then framed Mansell for the murder.

After an eight-week trial, a jury found Mansell guilty of murder.

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Pair face court on guns, drugs charges

IN COURT: A couple have been charged with guns and drugs offences after a raid yesterday on a Wangara industrial unit netted drug paraphernalia and a homemade weapon. Source: PerthNow

STOLEN vehicles, a homemade gun and drugs were found at a Wangara industrial unit yesterday afternoon.

Police raided the Buckingham Drive unit about 3pm yesterday.

There, they allegedly found drugs and paraphernalia, a homemade firearm capable of firing one shot, ammunition, two stolen motorcycles, a Ford XR6 in the process of being stripped down and one other motorcycle, believed to be stolen.

A 43-year-old man and a 26-year-old woman will face Joondalup Magistrates Court today on a list of charges, including drugs and firearm charges.
 

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Teen in court over meat pies down pants

A TEENAGER will front court today after he allegedly tried to steal meat pies by shoving them down the front of his pants last night.

Police will allege the 17-year-old went into a Hamilton Hill service station and attempted to leave with the hidden pies.

He was charged with stealing and will appear in the Fremantle Children's Court today.

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Former WA premier back in court

IN COURT: Former WA Premier Brian Burke, facing insider trading charges, pictured with wife Sue. Picture: Richard Polden Source: PerthNow

FORMER West Australian premier Brian Burke appeared in court this morning charged with four counts of insider trading.

The politician-turned lobbyist made a brief appearance with his co-accused, stockbroker David John Massey, who once worked for Patersons Securities.

It is understood the charges against the pair arose from secret recordings of Mr Burke’s telephone conversations by the Corruption and Crime Commission in 2006.

The CCC passed on the recordings to the federal authorities, which are pursuing the case.

During the brief hearing this morning, Mr Burke’s lawyer asked for the matter to be adjourned to allow the parties to examine a disk relating to the charges against his client.

He and Mr Massey’s lawyer also sought an extension of the pair’s bail.

Both men have yet to enter pleas. They were released on their existing bail conditions, a $10,000 personal undertaking. 

The matter was adjourned until May.

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Former WA premier back in court

IN COURT: Former WA Premier Brian Burke, facing insider trading charges, pictured with wife Sue. Picture: Richard Polden Source: PerthNow

FORMER West Australian premier Brian Burke appeared in court this morning charged with four counts of insider trading.

The politician-turned lobbyist made a brief appearance with his co-accused, stockbroker David John Massey, who once worked for Patersons Securities.

It is understood the charges against the pair arose from secret recordings of Mr Burke’s telephone conversations by the Corruption and Crime Commission in 2006.

The CCC passed on the recordings to the federal authorities, which are pursuing the case.

During the brief hearing this morning, Mr Burke’s lawyer asked for the matter to be adjourned to allow the parties to examine a disk relating to the charges against his client.

He and Mr Massey’s lawyer also sought an extension of the pair’s bail.

Both men have yet to enter pleas. They were released on their existing bail conditions, a $10,000 personal undertaking. 

The matter was adjourned until May.

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Man in court over baby's Pilbara death

Police want to speak with anyone with anyone who saw a silver 1982 Toyota Landcruiser (80 series) travelling between Broome and Karratha between late Tuesday night and Wednesday afternoon.
  Source: PerthNow

A BROOME man will appear in court today charged over the death of a 10-month old baby who was found critically ill at a remote Pilbara Roadhouse.

The baby was located at the Fortescue Roadhouse, south-west of Karratha, yesterday afternoon and died en route to the Nickol Bay Hospital in an ambulance.

The child had earlier been reported missing from Broome.

A 25-year-old man from Broome has been charged with grievous bodily harm and will appear in the Karratha Magistrates Court today.

The charge will be reviewed after a post-mortem examination is completed.

Detectives investigating the death have asked the the public to help piece together what happened.  

Police want to speak with anyone with anyone who saw a silver 1982 Toyota Landcruiser (80 series) travelling between Broome and Karratha.

It's believed the vehicle left Broome about 11pm on Tuesday night and was located at the Fortescue Roadhouse about 2pm the next day.

Investigations are continuing. Anyone with information about this incident, or the vehicle described, is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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Bart Simpson, Mr Burns appear in court. Actually

BART Simpson has appeared in court in front of judge Mr Burns. No, seriously.

Company director Barton Simpson, 56, appeared in a UK court this week, denying possession of a firearm at Birmingham airport on May 31 last year.

He stood trial in front of judge Mr Recorder Burns at Warwick Crown Court.

Just to reiterate: the judge is called Mr Burns.

A court worker told swns.com: "It's a bizarre coincidence that Bart Simpson is actually on trial in front of Mr Burns but it'll proceed as any other criminal case would.

"There were some eyebrows raised when the court list was published."

Mr Simpson was arrested last year after he was found to be in possession of an old .38 Smith & Wesson revolver, the Solihull Observer reports.

While possession carries a mandatory five-year sentence in the UK, antique weapons are exempt from this law. Mr Simpson argues the weapon is an antique.

Ay, caramba.

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Pies' Williams ordered to face WA court

COLLINGWOOD'S rising AFL star Marley Williams has been ordered to appear in court in person to answer charges he caused grievous bodily harm to a nightclub patron - and could miss the Magpies' round 10 clash with Brisbane.

Collingwood's rising AFL star Marley Williams has been ordered to appear in court in person to answer charges he caused grievous bodily harm to a nightclub patron - and could miss the Magpies' round 10 clash with Brisbane.

The 19-year-old was arrested just after Christmas following the incident outside the Studio 146 nightclub in his home town of Albany.

Police allege Williams was one of two 19-year-old men at the club who got into an argument around 1.30am on December 27 that escalated when the pair went outside.

Williams is alleged to have punched the man, Matthew Robertson, who was taken to Albany Regional Hospital with a broken jaw, and later airlifted to Royal Perth Hospital for surgery.

Late last month, police upgraded the charge to grievous bodily harm, and in Albany Magistrates Court today the previous charge of assault occasioning bodily harm was discontinued.

The case was listed for next mention on May 30, and Williams' lawyers were told he must appear in person.

The Magpies play Brisbane at the Gabba on May 31.

Williams has already been told by his club to work with the Salvation Army's soup van on the streets of Melbourne as part of his club's punishment regimen for his role in the late-night scuffle.

He joined the Magpies last year as a rookie, played six senior games, and has now been promoted to the senior list.

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Man in court over stolen car, two chases

A MAN has led police on two wild pursuits in three days, Midland Detectives allege.

Police have charged the 23-year-old Stratton man over a vehicle stolen in Landsdale and two chases in a car and on motorbike at the weekend.

About 11.40pm on Friday night a Ford Performance Vehicle was stolen from a home in Landsdale.

Then, at 9am on Saturday it was seen by police in Beechboro and officers attempted to stop the vehicle, however it will be alleged the driver kept going and police gave chase but had to abort for safety reasons.

The stolen vehicle was located yesterday in Balcatta.

Police identified a person of interest after the pursuit and yesterday they spotted him riding an off-road bike in Doubleview with a passenger on board.

Officers attempted to stop the bike, however the rider allegedly sped away, even riding on a footpath to escape.

The rider then lost control of the bike in Balga and he and his female passenger tried to run off but were caught and taken into custody.

The Stratton man was charged with stealing a motor vehicle, driving recklessly and two counts each of stealing, no authority to drive, reckless driving to evade police and failing to stop.

He will appear in the East Perth Magistrates Court today.

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School chaplain had sex video: court

ON TRIAL: Matthew David O'Meara the former Perth Colleage chaplain who is alleged to have been in possession of child pornography. Picture: Richard Polden Source: PerthNow

A VIDEO of a young girl performing a sex act on herself was found on the same thumb drive as church sermons and electoral roll documents for a former Perth College chaplain, a District Court jury has been told.

Anglican chaplain Matthew David O’Meara is on trial over four counts of possessing child pornography after thumb drives were found with photos and videos of young girls on them at the girls’ school in August 2010.

It is the second time the matter has gone to trial, with last year’s case ending in a hung jury.

Today, the college’s head of IT, John Garnett told the new jury he found several photos and videos of young girls on a thumb drive that was handed to him by the drama teacher who had an office in the chapel, along with Mr O’Meara.

The drama teacher had found the USB a few weeks earlier and when no student came forward to claim it, some students helped her open the device to find out who owned it. She was shocked by what she saw and handed the thumb drive to Mr Garnett.

Mr Garnett said he previewed one of the videos where he saw a girl, he guessed was aged eight to 12 years old, by herself with a web camera, naked and doing a sex act.

“I was in shock, it was starting to click in the gravity of the situation,” he said.

Mr Garnett said on the same thumb drive he also found Word documents, including one titled “Easter sermon” and scanned images of two electoral roll forms, one each for Mr O’Meara and his wife.

Mr Garnett said after making the discovery, he told the college principal of his findings.

The trial continues.
 

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