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25/08/2010

Snap proves a real barbecue stopper as magistrate

A man who was caught riding his motorbike along the Eastern Freeway in Melbourne with a barbecue strapped to his body was fined $800 today and lost his licence for one month.

Michael Wiles spotted the cast-off cooker on the nature strip where it had been left for rubbish collection and, not wanting to splurge on a new one, decided to pick it up and take it home.

The 29-year-old proceeded to thread his body through the barbecue's frame and popped up the grate in front of his helmet before setting off along the Eastern Freeway in Kew on January 27, 2008, reaching estimated speeds of 75km/h.

But his plan came unstuck when a stunned passer-by snapped a photograph, which was subsequently published in the media and led to Wiles's identity being revealed and a visit from the police.

In a further setback, the barbecue turned out to be "a dud", Wiles's lawyer Paul McClure told the Melbourne Magistrates Court today.

"That's probably why it was on the side of the road," Mr McClure said.

Magistrate Lionel Winton-Smith said he had never encountered a case such as this in all his years as a magistrate.

"I have seen people with perhaps bits of wood sticking out of the car, but a barbecue?" Mr Winton-Smith said.

"I'm trying to think of a word to describe it."

"Ridiculous?" Mr McClure suggested.

"Ridiculous. That will do," Mr Winton-Smith said.

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9/08/2010

Jo Lee Dimer found not guilty by County Court jury

Jo Lee Dimer, 43, of Roxburgh Park, pleaded not guilty to arson causing death after her 16-year-old daughter Crystal allegedly set fire to the family home on October 18, 2005, but became trapped and died.

The Craigieburn home was owned by Darren Mazelli, Ms Dimer's ex-partner, from whom she had recently separated.

The court had heard Crystal Dimer had threatened to burn down the house, a fact not disputed by Ms Dimer's lawyer.

Crown prosecutors had alleged that Ms Dimer helped her daughter buy petrol, lighters and jerry cans, then drove her to the house in Leigh St, Craigieburn in Melbourne's north, acting as a "getaway driver''.

But Ms Dimer's lawyers vehemently disputed any suggestion their client drove her daughter to the house.

There was no dispute that the fire was deliberately lit.


4/08/2010

Bikie seeks bail over Lamborghini 'theft'

A FINKS bikie charged with the armed robbery of a $400,000 Lamborghini after an alleged demand for cash has described the bike gang as a "mateship" that raises money for charity.

The quietly spoken, heavily tattooed Richard Michail, of Port Melbourne, testified in the Victorian Supreme Court today in his bid for bail on a charge of armed robbery and other counts.

He and co-accused Matthew Ward allegedly demanded $50,000 from Srecko Lorbek and threatened him with a gun at the Lorbek Luxury Cars dealership at Port Melbourne in May.




4/08/2010

Bikie's supercar theft charge

THE Finks motorcycle club is not a criminal bikie gang but just three mates hanging out together in a shed, its Melbourne sergeant at arms claims.

Richard Michail is accused of stealing a $400,000 Lamborghini from a car dealer after threatening him with a gun and shoving his head into a car window.

2/07/2010

Testimonial - Gary F

"I don't think I could have coped if I lost my trial. The preparation you put in was amazing." - Gary F


2/07/2010

Testimonial - Peter L

"I was proud that we stood up and fought the charges. I would have lost everything if I had been found guilty." - Peter L


2/07/2010

Testimonial - Cameron A

"Your compassion during my time of need was outstanding. Many thanks." - Cameron A


2/07/2010

Testimonial - Lee W

"Lots of people kept telling me I should plead guilty except for your firm. You were right." - Lee W


2/07/2010

Testimonal - John A

"Everyone was judging me except for you. That support really helped me get through a terrible time." - John A


22/04/2010

Case Study - Attempted Murder

22/04/2010

Case Study - Arson Causing Death

25/08/2009

Alleged Somalian Terrorists in Court

Three men charged over an alleged suicide terrorism plot to kill Australian soldiers at a Sydney army barracks are applying for bail.

They were arrested during pre-dawn police raids across Melbourne and country Victoria earlier this month.

Saney Edow Aweys, 26, of Carlton North, Nayef El Sayed, 25, of Glenroy, and Yacqub Khayre, 22, of Meadow Heights, are charged with conspiring to prepare an armed attack on the Holsworthy army base which houses several thousand troops.

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26/05/2009

American Idol Stalker pleads guilty

Adrian Lowe

A woman previously convicted of stalking a former American Idol contestant has pleaded guilty to further stalking charges.

Tanya Quattrocchi, 23, of Oak Park, pleaded guilty today to four stalking charges committed while she was on a community-based order.

The Victorian County Court heard that between November 8, 2007, and January 30 this year, Quattrocchi stalked 2004 American Idol runner-up Diana DeGarmo, her mother and flatmate.

Prosecutor Susan Borg told the court between May 6 last year and January 19 this year, Quattrocchi accessed Ms DeGarmo's MySpace 700 times and gained access to flatmate Donielle Morris' MySpace, and the email account of DeGarmo's mother, Brenda.

When Quattrocchi was arrested, police seized a flash drive that contained personal emails, personal and business information and log on codes of all three victims, Ms Borg said.

Quattrocchi also hacked Ms Morris' Facebook account and and deleted all information on it, except photos of Ms DeGarmo, Ms Borg said.

Shaun Pascoe, for Quattrocchi, said his client had recently been diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome and her offending had occurred when she "had too much time on her hands" and it had become an "all-consuming interest".

Ms Borg urged Judge Lisa Hannan to sentence Quottrocchi to a maximum of three years in jail.

Judge Hannan will sentence on Thursday.




18/05/2009

Victim's family beg for mercy for driver

ON September 17, 2007, Jeremy Bryant stood before hundreds of mourners in Lilydale Memorial Park and bared his shattered soul at the funeral of his best friend.

A tough ask for any 21-year-old, Bryant's experience was searing because he also apologised for causing the death of Christopher Bebbington.




16/04/2009

Former Magpie Aaron James mourns son

FORMER AFL footballer Aaron James has spoken of the heartbreak of losing an unborn son in an accident caused by an epileptic driver.

Kate James was 27 weeks pregnant when an epileptic motorist - who was suspended from driving - lost control of his car and became airborne after suffering a fit.




9/04/2009

American Idol stalker accused refused bail

A WOMAN accused of stalking US pop singer Diana DeGarmo will spend Easter behind bars after being refused bail today.

Tanya Maree Quattrocchi, 23 of Oak Park, has been on remand for 70 days, charged with stalking American Idol runner-up Ms DeGarmo, her mother and flatmate.




20/03/2009

Rodney Charles Collins charged with murder

A MAN has appeared briefly in court charged with the murders of police informer Terrence Hodson and his wife, Christine.Police from the Petra taskforce had applied to question Rodney Charles Collins, 63, but withdrew the application this morning.




12/09/2008

Here's the male: a red-letter life stamped

IN HIS 41 years of dedicated service to Australia's postal system, Frank Madonna was more reliable than the mail.

Straight from high school in 1966 to the former Postmaster-General's Department in Melbourne before it became Australia Post, Madonna, 59, established in various roles a proud, red-letter reputation that defined his life.




19/08/2008

Cragieburn drug senior shamed family

A CRAIGIEBURN pensioner shamed his entire family by helping his sister-in-law with an amateur hydroponic cannabis operation, a court has heard.

Armando Marano, 61, was standing in the living room holding a trigger spray water bottle when police raided the Hurstbridge flat of his wife’s sister, Michelle Gervasi, on March 29.




19/05/2008

Paydirt for Mokbel spy

THE Melbourne underworld figure who gave up Tony Mokbel is set to become the first Victorian to collect a $1m reward.

There appears no obstacle to the man, known as registered informer 3030, scooping the lotto-sized lure posted on the fugitive 13 months ago.




28/03/2008

Jail for speed rager

A MOTORIST who smashed a speed camera operator's car and camera with a wheel brace, and threatened to kill him if he was jailed, was sentenced yesterday to nine months in prison.

Moments later, however, Roger Kanjir was released on bail pending an appeal.




10/05/2007

Brave new world or virtual pedophile paradise?

WHEN is child pornography not child pornography? Can an "avatar" commit a crime? What is real, and what is not?

These are questions being asked amid an emerging under-age sex case in online computer game Second Life.




8/12/2006

Youths face court on murder charge

Two men have appeared at Melbourne Magistrates Court charged with the murder of a man in Melbourne's north-east.Abdeweli Mohamed, 19, of South Morang, and Shanmake Aidid, 19, of Heidelberg West, were remanded in custody and ordered to reappear for a commital hearing on March 13 next year. They are yet to enter a plea.




21/05/2006

Singer fears ex, court told

MARK Seymour, former frontman of Melbourne band Hunters and Collectors, is seeking an intervention order against a former lover he claims has harassed him and his family since their relationship broke up in 1992.

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4/04/2006

Why did 'Fat Tony' get bail?

Melbourne underworld figure Tony Mokbel has just been sentenced to 12 years in prison for cocaine importation. But unfortunately he wasn't in court to hear his sentence. That's because he was out on bail during the trial, and a few days before it ended he disappeared. So why was bail granted in such a serious drug case? And how often do people do a runner?




11/05/2005

Prisoners : Australia: Abdul Nacer Benbrika

Abdul Nacer Benbrika was born around 1960. He is an Australian Muslim  activist, also known as Abu Bakr. Benbrika was born in Algeria: various  sources give his age as 45 or 46 as of November 2005. He was trained as  an aircraft engineer.He arrived in Australia in May 1989 on a  one-month visitor's permit, on which he twice gained extensions, and  settled in the northern suburbs of Melbourne, an area with a large  Muslim population.




13/08/2004

Drug agency chief stole to buy heroin

The former head of Victoria's peak lobby group for drug agencies forged cheques and stole more than $100,000 - in part to feed a heroin addiction.

Yolande Henkel was Victorian Alcohol And Drug Association chief executive when she committed frauds and thefts against the organisation in 1999 and 2000.




6/03/2003

Dismiss charges, urges Clark's QC

A lawyer for Aboriginal leader Geoff Clark yesterday urged a magistrate to dismiss charges of assaulting and hindering police, saying the evidence against his client was unreliable.




6/12/2002

Jailed MP could be released

AdvertisementFormer federal MP Andrew Theophanous, jailed for six years in June, could be freed from prison before Christmas.
Theophanous, 56, is expected to apply for bail next week, pending an appeal against his conviction and sentence, on some grounds his lawyers say are "unarguable".




11/06/2002

Disgraced ex-MP to appeal

Disgraced ex-MP to appealJune 11 2002

Former federal MP Andrew Theophanous will appeal against his conviction and sentence on bribery, conspiracy and fraud charges.