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Alan Jones arrested over sexual assault allegations

Veteran radio host Alan Jones has been arrested in his luxury apartment over allegations he indecently assaulted, groped or inappropriately touched multiple young men. According to the <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/national/alan-jones-arrested-over-allegations-he-indecently-assaulted-young-men-20241118-p5krdu.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sydney Morning Herald</a>, Jones was arrested at his Circular Quay apartment on Monday morning and taken to Day Street Police Station, where officers issued a statement about the arrest. "Following extensive inquiries, about 7.45am today, strike force detectives executed a search warrant at a unit in Circular Quay where they arrested an 83-year-old man," the statement said. "The search warrant is underway." The allegations against Jones surfaced over one year ago, when Nine newspapers first claimed that Jones inappropriately kissed and groped a 17-year-old schoolboy who visited his sprawling Southern Highlands estate in 2017. The allegations relate almost exclusively to his time at Sydney's leading talkback station, 2GB, where he hosted his talkback radio show for almost 20 years. Jones has long <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/alan-jones-vehemently-denies-bombshell-allegations" target="_blank" rel="noopener">denied</a> the allegations, with his lawyers describing the claims against him as "demonstrably false and defamatory". Breaking his silence in a five-minute clip in March, Jones said he "refuted" the allegations against him "entirely and the inferences associated with them". Jones said he had "every intention of returning to broadcasting eventually", despite many close sources saying he would stay on "indefinite" leave, and had no plans on returning to the spotlight. Image credits: Getty

Legal

Neighbours star under investigation after alleged Nazi salute

Former Neighbours star Damien Richardson is under investigation by police after allegedly performing a Nazi salute at an event in September. Richardson, who played Gary Canning in seven seasons of Neighbours, was recorded performing the gesture during a speech at an event run by the National Workers Alliance (NWA), who bills itself as a nationalist organisation dedicated to the "preservation of Western Culture and Identity". <div> </div> In an excerpt of his speech, which was aired as part of an ABC 7.30 investigation into the rise of the far-right movement in Australia, the actor is heard stating, "There is a war on men". "I thought it was a war on Western tradition, Western values… and actually it's an anti-white-male-agenda," the actor said at the event. He is then seen appearing to perform a Nazi salute and mockingly asking if he would be locked up for it, saying, “Am I allowed to do that? Am I allowed to do that, or am I going to be fined now? Am I going to go to jail for five years?” “Oh, Richardson did the salute. I mean, really. I mean this is absurd. This is insane. It’s crazy. It’s so crazy you can’t believe it’s even happening.” In October 2023, laws came into effect making it an offence to perform a Nazi salute in public or in public view. A person who commits an <a href="https://www.vic.gov.au/fact-sheet-nazi-symbol-prohibition" target="_blank" rel="noopener">offence</a> could face fines of $23,000, 12 months in prison, or both. Victoria Police has confirmed it is investigating the incident, saying in a statement, “Police are investigating vision which shows a person performing a Nazi salute, believed to be in Victoria." “The circumstances surrounding the incident are yet to be established and an investigation is ongoing.” While Richardson's actions were applauded by neo-Nazi organisation National Socialist Network (NSN), both Richardson and the organiser of the NWA said they are not neo-Nazis. "There has been a lot of misinformation spoken about the event, Damien, the National Workers Alliance and myself," Matt Trihey told the ABC. "Neither Damien or I have ever been members of Nazi organisations and we have no connection with the NSN. I am a free speech advocate and have no control over who purchases online tickets to my events." Image credits: ABC

Legal

"Misconceived": Coles and Woolies fight allegations of price gouging

Coles and Woolworths are set to fight the allegations that they have been inflating prices, as they begin their cases against the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC). The lawyers for both supermarket giants appeared in the Federal Court on Wednesday after the ACCC claims the companies violated consumer law by intentionally misleading shoppers. The ACCC claim both Coles and Woolworths inflated the prices on hundred of items before placing them on sale with their "Down Down" and "Prices Dropped" campaigns. The products - including dairy, pet food and personal care - sold for less than the inflated prices, but still more than the regular price that applied before the price spike. Cameron Moore SC, representing Woolworths, told the court the supermarket had not initiated the temporary spikes in prices and would be fighting the ACCC's allegations. "The suggestion is that Woolworths initiated temporary price spikes and that's not correct factually," Moore said. "We say factually, the ACCC's case is misconceived." Both Coles and Woolworths said their increase in prices came at the demand of suppliers, who pushed for the increase due to their rising costs. John Sheahan KC, representing Coles, said the case was not as simple as alleged by the ACCC and any outcome could have significant implications for the whole industry. Coles and Woolworths have until November 29th to file a written response to the ACCC's allegations, before both parties return to the Federal Court in December for another case management hearing. Image credits: Shutterstock

Legal

Coles and Woolies shoppers could claim thousands over alleged deceptive pricing

Coles and Woolworths shoppers could claim up to $5,000 if the supermarket giants are found out for deceiving customers with dodgy pricing tactics, according to a leading lawyer. Carter Capner Law is one of two firms investigating whether a class action suit on behalf of shoppers is viable in conjunction with the ACCC's legal action against the two chains. Both Coles and Woolworths have bee accused of violating Australian consumer law by the consumer watchdog after allegedly intentionally misleading customers by driving up prices and then putting those items on sale for their original prices under the "Prices Dropped" and "Down Down" campaigns. “Early estimates suggest that households could claim between $2,000 and $5,000, depending on the amount spent and the impact of the deceptive pricing,” law director Peter Carter said, who began advocating for people after he received an "avalanche of calls from outraged customers". While Carter said the firm initially had no plans to commence a class action, he admitted that after speaking about it to the media, the company were inundated with Coles and Woolworths customers "demanding action and compensation". He believes Australians already doing it tough through the cost of living crisis felt "betrayed" by the supermarkets, while Flinders University research fellow in law Dr Joel Lisk said that the class action is "a positive" for shoppers. "The ACCC proceedings aren't about getting refunds for customers," he told Yahoo. "But if they are successful it would mean customers have, in theory, been misled and deceived and could be entitled to damages." When it comes to damages, it's something Dr Lisk said "starts to add up" for customers, although it's "hard to say" if financial penalties to businesses found guilty of wrongdoing would impact misleading and deceptive conduct in the future. "If [fines are] seen as just the cost of doing business it doesn't really dissuade businesses from engaging in misleading and deceptive conduct," he said. "Seeking damages from business for the losses that individuals like us have incurred is one way of doing that. But of course, we're talking probably about dollars and cents in transactions when businesses like Coles and Woolworths deal in the billions." Image credits: Shutterstock

Legal

Arrest made for the alleged murder of Queensland psychologist

Police have arrested a 47-year-old man in connection with the death of Queensland mother and psychologist Frances Crawford. The 49-year-old woman was found dead on an Upper Lockyer property in Queensland shortly before 4am on July 30th, with paramedics initially reporting the incident as a "mower rollover". Despite initial reports, police shared an update on their investigation on Friday to say they were treating her death as suspicious, alleging the woman was <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/police-share-major-update-on-woman-s-lawnmower-death">murdered</a>. Superintendent Marchesini said several lines of inquiry were being pursued by homicide detectives, and shared a plea to the public for information. One of the lines of inquiry being pursued involved the alleged relationship Frances' husband Robert had with “multiple women”. “We believe there were women who were involved in relationships with Mr Crawford who may have information about Mrs Crawford that will assist with this investigation,” Superintendent Marchesini said at the time. “We are particularly interested in speaking with people who knew of Frances or Robert Crawford and their personal circumstances, including their marriage.” On Thursday, police released a statement to confirm that they had arrested Frances’ husband in connection to her death, while thanking the public for valuable information. “Investigations are continuing and there is no further information at this time,” they said. “Detectives can confirm a number of people have provided information since our last public appeal, and thank those people for their bravery in coming forward.” “Anyone with information that can assist with investigations is encouraged to come forward and contact police.” Image credits: 7News - Crawford Family

Legal

Alleged motive of man who scalded baby revealed

A friend of the Chinese national man who has been accused of scalding nine-month-old baby Luka in a Brisbane park has revealed his potential motive. On August 27th, baby Luka was in Hanlon Park with his mother when a man approached them and poured hot coffee over the infant, leaving him with lifelong injuries. The man has since been <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/health/caring/man-accused-of-scalding-baby-in-park-identified" target="_blank" rel="noopener">identified</a> as a 33-year-old Chinese national who was in Australia on a student visa. Now, a friend of the man has claimed the horrific attack on the baby was because he sought “revenge on white people” after he was denied another Australian visa. “Finally, he vented his anger and [allegedly] hurt a baby before leaving Australia,” reported China’s New Tang Dynasty Television, adding that Luka was “probably [attacked] to take revenge on the white people.” As the man has now been identified by Queensland Police, Luka's parents, who have wished to remain anonymous throughout the ordeal, have new questions as they continue their fight for justice. “Where is he now? Is he in jail now that the media knows who he is over there? Is he just walking the streets?” the mother posed to 9News. Luka's father added, “We just want him to be punished, here or there, we just want him to be punished.” The man allegedly fled the scene after gravely injuring the child and drove over the state border to Sydney, where he flew out of the country on August 31st. Queensland Police have since put an arrest warrant out for the man for intending to cause grievous bodily harm, which carried a maximum penalty of a life sentence. Speaking to 4BC Radio on Thursday morning, Acting Assistant Police Commissioner Andrew Massingham said police were “very much committed” to arresting the man. “Our international search continues for the person that committed that horrendous crime,” he said. “That child will have those injuries for life.” Queensland Police Detective Inspector Paul Dalton previously revealed the man fled the country just 12 hours after they identified him. “Detectives are devastated that they missed this person by 12 hours. I was deflated, but that deflation quickly turns into determination and resilience to get the job done.” Image credits: Queensland Police

Caring

Thief gambles away $64k raised for alleged murder victim's family

A gambling addict has been sentenced to 400 hours unpaid community service after admitting to stealing $64,000 from a GoFundMe page intended for a grieving family. Lachlan Morganti, 26, was sentenced on Tuesday after pleading guilty to a single charge of theft, as magistrate Michelle Mykytowycz sentenced him to a two-year community corrections order and 400 hours of unpaid work. The court was told that Morganti set up the fundraising page on behalf of the family of allegedly murdered woman Hannah McGuire, who <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/you-were-our-whole-damn-sky-tributes-flow-after-alleged-murder-of-young-teacher" target="_blank" rel="noopener">died</a> on April 5th this year. He had become acquainted with the family, who managed The National Hotel in Clunes, through their support of the Clunes Cricket Club where he played. “Hannah was known by many as a bright young woman and had a heart of gold,” the fundraiser read. “All proceeds will go towards funeral costs and other expenses the family may need during this tough time.” In just a few days, the GoFundMe page raised more than $64,000 in generous donations from the community. The funds dropped in Morganti’s bank account on April 24th, but he almost immediately began to gamble with it, losing the full amount in four to five days. After his arrest, Morganti told police he had an “uncontrollable” gambling addiction and internally justified it by believing he would only use a small portion to fix his mounting gambling debts. “I accept the act of creating the GoFundMe was meant as an altruistic act, that it was intended as a selfless act to benefit the grieving McGuire family,” Ms Mykytowycz said. “However, the temptation to use this money to recover previous debts became overwhelming and self-indulgent.” In a statement to the court, Hannah's mother Debbie McGuire said it was important to note no one from their family had asked for support or for Morganti to start the GoFundMe, adding that Morganti had the “audacity” to attend Hannah’s funeral among many of those whose contributions he had stolen. “Not only did the accused violate our trust, but he had a complete disregard of the trust and generosity of an entire community,” she said. Image credits: GoFundMe / news.com.au

Legal

Network Seven claps back after Robert Ovadia's claims of "evil" conduct

Channel Seven has clapped back at claims from former 7News presenter Robert Ovadia that they are engaging in "evil" conduct, claiming they have found more inappropriate emails from the veteran journalist. Robert Ovadia, who worked with Seven for 23 years, was fired in June and has taken the matter to court claiming he was unfairly dismissed, while also claiming the network is hellbent on destroying his reputation. However, the network has finally spoke out about the claims, saying they have recent complaints from more female staffers about inappropriate behaviour. “Mr Ovadia commenced Federal Court proceedings against Seven over his dismissal for serious misconduct following the sending of inappropriate emails to a 23-year-old news producer and other employees of Seven," a Seven spokesman said. “In doing so, Seven is discharging its obligations to prevent sexual harassment at work, including as more recently expanded under recent legislation. Mr Ovadia was trained about these new legislative obligations by Seven and failed to comply with them.” The statement from the network went on to suggest there are further revelations to come, as more women have come forward with allegations of inappropriate conduct. “At the first hearing of those proceedings on Thursday, 29 August 2024 about Orders for the filing of evidence and timetable steps, Justice Raper asked Seven whether any other conduct would be relied upon by Seven other than set out in the termination letter," the spokesman said. “In that context, Seven confirmed it has had complaints or allegations about Mr Ovadia from 13 other employees. Although Seven was not required to provide examples of the other conduct it intends to rely on at this stage, Seven has provided Mr Ovadia and his lawyers examples of some of the inappropriate emails by Mr Ovadia, which will be further detailed in Seven’s defence required to be filed on 12 September 2024." “Out of respect for their privacy, Seven has not chosen to make further even more inappropriate emails public at this stage. In response to this, Mr Ovadia has made outlandish complaints about Seven being an ‘evil company’ with a ‘propaganda unit’ that is setting out to destroy his reputation. Seven is confident its position on this matter will be upheld by the Courts." In response to the statement, Ovadia took to Instagram to take another swing at his former employer while also maintaining his innocence. “I can be crass, I can be blunt, I can be obnoxious, my humour is dark – 20 years surrounded by trauma and danger will do all of that to you – but I do NOT mistreat women,” Mr Ovadia said in a lengthy Instagram post. “I’ll expect more smear over the coming months as this evil company (in whose service I risked my life and safety many times) now seeks to destroy my reputation further,” Mr Ovadia said. “When this kicked off, the day Seven first leaked this story, my teenage daughter asked if people will think her dad is a rapist. At least Four Corners’ laboured hatchet job got one thing right – the Seven Network is diabolical.” The journalist went on to share screenshots of conversations he had with female staffers who shared their words of support for Ovadia, saying they believe the allegations are false. Image credits: Instagram

Legal

Veteran Seven journalist faces fresh allegations of inappropriate behaviour

Veteran journalist Robert Ovadia is facing allegations from another 13 women of inappropriate conduct after claiming he was unlawfully <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/veteran-seven-reporter-sacked-over-misconduct-allegations" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sacked</a> from Network Seven. Ovadia was let go from Seven on June 21st after working with the network for 23 years, when he was fired with immediate effect after it was revealed he was part of an investigation by the ABC’s Four Corners program into the alleged <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/bombshell-allegations-of-toxic-channel-seven-workplace-aired" target="_blank" rel="noopener">toxic</a> culture at the Seven Network. After he was let go, the 7News Sydney journalist launched civil legal action against his former employer saying he was fired unlawfully. On Thursday, Network Seven’s lawyer Vanja Bulut told the Federal Court that the Network terminated Ovadia’s employment because of a “number of images sent to a former colleague”, who was a graduate news producer. Ms Bulut said the termination was also due to the “sending (an image) of a man’s genital to a colleague”. The Network is defending the decision to “summarily terminate” Mr Ovadia without notice, with Ms Bulut noting further allegations had arisen supporting that decision. “Subsequent to (Mr Ovadia’s) dismissal, 13 more females have come forward with complaints in regard to his conduct and they are subject to that investigation,” Ms Bulut told the court. “He has been written to setting out the additional allegations that have come out subsequent to the dismissal, and to the extent that those allegations are reported in documents. Even if they (Seven) didn’t have a basis to primarily terminate the applicant’s employment at that time, the conduct that has come to light subsequently does provide a basis,” she said. In a statement made after court, Mr Ovadia denied the claims against him, saying, “The claims are baseless and Seven has never provided evidence despite repeated requests.” “Even today, no evidence to support any of this - just a dirty tactic to try to bully me away from defending myself.” Image credits: Seven

Legal

Bombshell allegations of "toxic" Channel Seven workplace aired

Allegations of a "soul crushing" and "degrading" workplace at Channel Seven have been aired by ABC's Four Corners, with current and former staff members lifting the lid on the "toxic" and "sexist" culture. The ABC program spoke to more than 200 people from Channel Seven for the bombshell expose in which staff made allegations of a “boys club” where women were forced to work harder than men. One female journalist claims she was told to handover her hard-won stories to male journalists while another said she had to work late while her male colleagues went out and got drunk. As a result of the culture at Seven, one woman allegedly was left feeling suicidal over the work conditions and threw herself in front of a car outside the network’s Brisbane office after allegedly working extremely long hours for not much more than minimum wage. The woman had tried to resign from her job, but claims the network wouldn't accept her resignation and was kept on for another six months. “The only way I can describe it is I felt like I had a noose around my neck,” the young woman told Four Corners. One of the woman’s colleagues received a call from her in which she was “wailing, hysterical, incredibly emotional”, and in notes taken of the incident, they wrote, “Couldn’t understand what she was saying apart from ‘they won’t let me go’, ‘i’ve f**ked up my career’, ‘I want to be hit by a car’.” The woman attempted suicide and mercifully, the car didn't hit her. She was taken to the hospital in an ambulance and never returned to Channel Seven. Another woman, who is suing Channel Seven for sexual discrimination, said she was left feeling suicidal after working on the network’s Spotlight program. She claims she was forced to work 10-12 hour days, seven days a week and was once forced to use her own money to finish a story, leaving her with no money for rent while she waited for expenses to be reimbursed. “[It was] incredibly stressful,” she said. The woman then fell ill with a serious respiratory illness, and doctors told her she needed some time away from work to rest and recover. “I just started sobbing because the pressure of going home and not going back to the office and what the retribution would be if I did that was so great,” she says. “[The doctor] said, ‘If you don’t go home now, you’re going to be in bed with pneumonia for six weeks … I’ll call an ambulance to your office if I have to.’” The journalist claims that the network wanted her to keep working at home. “I got to the point where I was suicidal, and I remember in one particularly dark moment where I’d worked all weekend,” she says. “I rang Lifeline, and I made a doctor’s appointment because I knew I was so close to taking my own life. And I had a child that I couldn’t do that to because I was a single parent.” One Seven employee, Olivia Babb, told Four Corners of the unsustainable salaries within the network, revealing how many of her colleagues have been forced to take up second jobs to make ends meet. On top of her fears of becoming homeless due to the minimum wages, Olivia also claims she was “harassed and bullied” during her time at Seven. “It is one of the most degrading, soul-crushing places you can work,” the former reporter said. Solicitor Josh Bornstein, who has multiple clients taking legal action against Seven, said there was “enormous hostility to women”. In a statement after Four Corners aired, Seven West Media said it was “clearly concerned about allegations of poor behaviour and mistreatment of employees”. Need to talk to someone? Don't go it alone. Call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or <a href="https://www.lifeline.org.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">lifeline.org.au</a> Image credits: Four Corners

Legal

Distressing CCTV shows woman after alleged attack in Paris

Distressing footage from inside a kebab shop in Paris has shown the harrowing moment an Australian woman sought refuge after allegedly being <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/aussie-woman-s-horror-assault-in-paris-days-before-olympics" target="_blank" rel="noopener">assaulted</a>. The 25-year-old Aussie, who was meant to be returning to Australia before the Olympics start, told French police that she was raped by five men and sought refuge after the attack in a kebab shop in the early hours on Saturday morning just metres from the Moulin Rouge. As police continue their investigation into the incident, CCTV footage has emerged from the night, showing the woman hiding in a kebab shop as staff attempt to comfort her. A man is then seen walking into the shop as the woman gestures that the man is her attacker. The alleged attacker lingers in the shop before approaching the woman and patting her on the back, before another confronts the man causing him to flee the shop. The police arrive a few minutes later, as staff and diners tend to the woman. The owner of the kebab shop told <a href="https://7news.com.au/news/harrowing-cctv-shows-australian-woman-hiding-in-paris-kebab-shop-after-alleged-gang-rape-c-15445738" target="_blank" rel="noopener">7News</a> that the Aussie woman could not stop crying, as her dress was partially torn and on backwards as she entered the shop. A Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesperson said the Australian Embassy in Paris is “making urgent enquiries with French authorities following reports of an Australian citizen assaulted in Paris”. “The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade stands ready to provide consular assistance,” it said. The woman was taken to the nearby Bichat-Claude Bernard Hospital for treatment and observation, and is planning to remain in Paris to help police with their investigation. Image credits: 7News

Travel Trouble

Olympics coach withdraws amid inappropriate behaviour allegations

The coach of the Australian Gymnastics team has withdrawn due to allegations of inappropriate behaviour, just weeks before the Paris Olympics are set to begin. Jeb Silsbury withdrew from the team on Thursday after allegations of inappropriate behaviour were raised by a former colleague with the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC). The claims allege that Silsbury made remarks about his colleague's breasts and "slapped" her bottom, as first reported by the ABC. Silsbury's withdrawal comes just one day before he was due to head to Paris to begin preparations for the Olympics, which kick off on July 26th. According to AOC rules, all athletes, coaches and officials are required to reveal whether they have been involved in any integrity related issue before to their selection for a national team. It is understood that the AOC was not aware of the allegations, which have not yet been fully investigated. A spokesperson for the AOC confirmed with Wide World of Sports that Silsbury has been deselected as coach, saying in a statement, "The AOC understands Mr Silsbury has withdrawn as a coach from the Australian gymnastics team for Paris 2024. Consequently, he has been deselected." "The AOC was not aware of any integrity matters in relation to Mr Silsbury's nomination for the Australian Olympic Team when considering his suitability for selection." "The AOC is committed to the national integrity framework. Complaints can be directed to Sport Integrity Australia or through Gymnastic Australia's complaints handling mechanisms." The allegations have prompted questions regarding the selection processes of Gymnastics Australia (GA) and Silsbury's eligibility. As per GA's selection policy, coaches can be considered for national teams as long as they are not currently under sanction or being investigated for violating the sport's regulations. Image credits: Gymnastics Australia

Legal

Daughter of former All Black charged over alleged hit and run death

The daughter of former New Zealand All Black has been charged over an alleged hit and run that left a 65-year-old man dead in Auckland. Helena Jade Cribb, the daughter of Ron Cribb, was charged earlier this year after Jason Collins' body was found by a member of the public on O'Brien Rd, Lucas Heights in the early hours of December 7. The 22-year-old previously had a name suppression, which has now lapsed. Earlier this year, Detective Sergeant Ben Bergin said the driver allegedly involved had been identified not long after Collins' death. "A thorough investigation has been underway into the tragic circumstances by the Waitematā CIB and we have reached a point where charges have been filed," Bergin said. Collins has been remembered as a devoted father, husband and friend. "The tragic loss of Jason has left an unfillable void in our hearts," a statement on behalf of his family read. "...his absence is a constant ache, a relentless reminder of what we've lost. "Taken from us too soon, his departure is a profound and senseless blow that we struggle to comprehend. "Each day is a battle against the overwhelming emptiness left in his wake. "We ask for privacy at this time as we continue to grieve." The 22-year-old reportedly faces a charge of operating a vehicle carelessly, causing death while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. She is set to reappear in court in September. Image: NZ Police

Legal

Veteran Seven reporter sacked over misconduct allegations

A veteran reporter for Channel Seven has been sacked amid allegations of inappropriate behaviour. Robert Ovadia, a Sydney-based reporter who has been with the network for 23 years, announced that he has been fired in a statement to The Australian. “Yes I’ve been sacked and there will be more to say about that in the appropriate forum at the appropriate time,” Ovadia told the publication on Friday. Earlier this month, a spokesperson for the Seven Network told NCA Newswire that Ovadia was "on leave". “Seven is conducting an investigation into allegations of inappropriate behaviour by Robert Ovadia,” the spokeswoman confirmed. In his own statement at the time, Mr Ovadia said he would defend the “malicious” allegations. “Seven has told me no current or former colleague has made any complaint against me,” he said in a statement to <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-06-07/robert-ovadia-investigation-alleged-inappropiate-behaviour/103952758">the ABC</a>. “As far as I am aware, I have not been stood down by the company. Any suggestion I have behaved inappropriately at any time is false, malicious and will be defended.” Just days after being placed on leave, The Australian revealed that the allegations stem from emails exchanged four years ago between Ovadia and a former Seven female employee. <div> <div>Ovadia’s sacking comes amid an exit of numerous senior males at Seven in the past month and following the appointment of Anthony De Ceglie as Seven West Media’s new director of news and current affairs and editor-in-chief.</div> </div> Image credits: Seven <div style="caret-color: #000000; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: none; display: block; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px;"> </div>

Legal

Fourth person arrested over alleged murders of Perth brothers

A fourth person has been arrested over the alleged murders of Perth brothers Jake and Callum Robinson, who went missing in Mexico earlier this year. The brothers were on a surf trip and were camping in the Baja California region of Mexico, near Ensenada, along with their American friend Jack Rhoad, when they disappeared on April 27. They were found weeks later near their remote campsite and three people were arrested soon after, with one of the suspects carrying a mobile phone belonging to one of the victims. It is believed that the brothers were shot dead in a "robbery gone wrong". Now, another man has been arrested in connection to their alleged murders, just one month after the brothers' bodies were found 10 metres down a well. According to 9News, authorities have not yet provided any further details or the identity of the man. The Robinson brothers were <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/love-harder-perth-brothers-farewelled-at-emotional-memorial-service" target="_blank" rel="noopener">laid to rest</a> earlier this month, with hundreds grieving friends and family watching the memorial service at Perth's Sacred Heart College, where the brothers attended high school. Debra Robinson paid tribute to her sons, along with her husband Martin during the service. “We loved that Jake was curious, kind and happy and never judgmental,” Mrs Robinson said at the time. “Callum always made a conscious decision to wake up and be positive every day. He saw so much fun in life. We miss you beyond description, Callum and Jakey boy, please shine on us.” Image: Instagram

Legal

Alleged killer cop files lawsuit against NSW Police

The former police officer accused of murder has now filed a lawsuit against the NSW Police for bullying and harassment. Former NSW Police senior constable Beau Lamarre-Condon is accused of shooting Jesse Baird, 26, and his partner Luke Davies, 29, at Baird’s Paddington house in February and disposing of the bodies on a rural property near Goulburn. While still awaiting trial over the alleged murders, the suit against the police force has been filed, with Sunrise newsreader Edwina Bartholomew sharing the updates. “The defence lawyer for accused killer cop Beau Lamarre-Condon says his client is continuing with a lawsuit against the NSW Police Force for bullying and harassment while he was a constable,” Bartholomew said. Lamarre-Condon's lawyer John Walford confirmed the move to <a href="https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/subscribe/news/1/?sourceCode=DTWEB_WRE170_a_TCA&dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailytelegraph.com.au%2Ftruecrimeaustralia%2Fpolice-courts-nsw%2Fchilling-unseen-photos-of-beau-lamarrecondon-cosying-up-with-exlover-he-allegedly-killed%2Fnews-story%2F4fdbac4f0dac6d7ea38b3094e808e3ab&memtype=anonymous&mode=premium&v21=LOW-Segment-1-SCORE" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Daily Telegraph</a>, saying, “Yes, action against police is continuing … it’s huge.” The former officer has been in protective custody at the Metropolitan Remand and Reception Centre at Silverwater in Sydney's west for the past four months and sources close to the 28-year-old say his mental state is deteriorating. "He's not doing real well at the moment," a source told <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13471215/Beau-Lamarre-Condon-Chilling-pictures-accused-killer-Jesse-Baird-Luke-Davies.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Daily Mail Australia</a> in April. "Obviously it's set in now - what's happened and the allegations and where he is. I think the rot's set in mentally-wise. He's at a low point at the moment. He's very down. He's hit the lows." Lamarre-Condon is expected to front court again on June 18th. Image credits: 7News / Shutterstock

Legal

Bombshell allegations in murder case of young school girl

The man accused of murdering nine-year-old Charlise Mutten has claimed her mother was the one to pull the trigger. Justin Stein, 33, is facing trial for allegedly murdering Charlise in January 2022 at Mount Wilson, in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney. Nine-year-old Charlise was shot once in the head and once in the back, with her body recovered from a barrel dumped near the Colo River, four days after she was reported missing by her mother. On Monday, Stein formally pleaded not guilty to the charges, and has now alleged it was actually Charlise's mother who killed her and helped stuff her body in a barrel before lying to police. The court heard that Stein was in a relationship with Charlise's mother Kallista Mutten, as the pair met while both serving jail sentences. Both parties struggled with substance abuse, as Kallista had been using ice since she was in her early 20s, while Justin had been undergoing treatment for heroin addiction. Before the alleged murder, Stein and Kallista broke into a neighbour’s home near the Mount Wilson property, taking two firearms, crown prosecutor Ken McKay SC told the jury. Stein initially told police the girl may have been taken by unknown persons, but later told a corrections officer Kallista had shot and killed her daughter and that he had helped dispose of the body. According to Stein’s lawyer, Carolyn Davenport SC, Stein had been inside a shed on the Blue Mountains property when he heard a gunshot, and had gone outside to see Kallista shooting her daughter a second time. At the time of her death, Charlise was living with her grandparents at Tweed Heads, and had flown to Sydney on December 21st with plans to spend Christmas and New Year’s Eve with her mother and Stein. Image credits: ABC / NSW Police

Legal

Samantha Murphy's alleged killer faces fresh new charges

The man accused of murdering Samantha Murphy has been hit with fresh charges over a drug and alcohol-fuelled bender. Patrick Orren Stephenson, 22, who has been charged with murdering Ms Murphy, has been slapped with several drink and drug driving charges after he allegedly crashed a motorbike into a tree on the night of October 1st. He has also been also charged with careless driving. A former friend of Stephenson told the <a href="https://www.heraldsun.com.au/truecrimeaustralia/police-courts-victoria/accused-samantha-murphy-killer-patrick-stephenson-charged-with-driving-offences/news-story/1ce6e68acdb7575b876f9e7f9100f285" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Herald Sun</a> the crash occurred following an AFL Grand Final gathering that kicked off in the afternoon and ran late into the night. Stephenson was first arrested in connection with the Ballarat mother's disappearance on March 7th, weeks after the 51-year-old was last seen alive. Samantha Murphy was last seen by her loved ones on the morning of February 4th when she went to go on her daily morning run in the Canadian State Forest. Stephenson has been charged with one count of murder, and is said to not be cooperating with police in efforts to find her body. The new charges come after police have continued their gruelling search for Ms Murphy, three months after she went missing. Despite numerous searches, Victoria Police detectives appear no closer to finding her body despite having her alleged killer in custody. A Victoria Police spokesperson told <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/melbourne/article-13374863/Alleged-killer-Samantha-Murphy-fresh-charges-Victoria.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Daily Mail Australia</a> this week that the investigation remained "very much active and ongoing". "We are continuing to do all we can to locate her," the spokesperson said. Image credits: Nine

Legal

Michael Slater hit with 19 charges over alleged domestic violence

Michael Slater, a former Australian Test cricketer is being held in police custody after being charged with more than a dozen offences over alleged domestic violence. Slater, 54, had his case briefly heard in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Monday. It was reported by the ABC that he did not appear and no plea was entered. The charges include domestic violence offences of unlawful stalking or intimidation, breaking into a dwelling with intent at night, common assault, assault occasioning bodily harm and choking or suffocation. The 19 charges relate to offences allegedly committed on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast between December 5, 2023 and April 12 2024. Slater was also charged with breaching bail and and 10 counts of contravening a domestic violence order. He was then remanded in custody, with his case mentioned in the same court on Tuesday afternoon. During that second hearing, Slater collapsed in court after failing in his bid for freedom over an alleged domestic violence incident. Upon learning that his bid for bail had been refused, the former cricket great placed his head in his hands then collapsed while being led back to the cells by Corrective Services staff. Slater made his debut during the 1993 Ashes tour and played 74 tests for Australia. He amassed 5,312 runs and played 42 one-day internationals. Since retiring from cricket in 2004, he has had a successful TV commentary career. Image: Getty

Legal

Judge finds Bruce Lehrmann raped Brittany Higgins and dismisses Network 10 defamation case. How did it play out?

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/brendan-clift-715691">Brendan Clift</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-melbourne-722">The University of Melbourne</a> Bruce Lehrmann has lost his defamation suit against Channel Ten and journalist Lisa Wilkinson after the media defendants proved, on the balance of probabilities, that Lehrmann raped his colleague Brittany Higgins in Parliament House in 2019. After a trial lasting around a month, Federal Court Justice Michael Lee – an experienced defamation judge – concluded that both Lehrmann and Higgins had credibility issues, but ultimately <a href="https://www.judgments.fedcourt.gov.au/judgments/Judgments/fca/single/2024/2024fca0369">he was persuaded</a> that Lehrmann raped Higgins, as she’d alleged and he’d denied. <h2>Criminal trials by proxy</h2> Ordinarily, charges like rape would be resolved through the criminal courts, but Lehrmann’s criminal trial was <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-10-27/jury-discharged-in-trial-of-bruce-lehrmann-brittany-higgins/101583486">aborted</a> in October 2022 after juror misconduct. The charges against him were soon <a href="https://www.news.com.au/national/nsw-act/courts-law/bruce-lehrmann-sexual-assault-charge-dropped-dpp-confirms/news-story/3f82dd388d2cfa38680f7d4f4ceb1c5e">dropped</a>, nominally over concerns for Higgins’ mental health. Higgins, however, foresaw civil proceedings and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/dec/05/brittany-higgins-volunteered-to-be-defamation-trial-witness-as-she-would-not-let-rapist-become-a-millionaire-ntwnfb">offered to testify</a> should they arise. That they did, as Lehrmann, free from the burden of any proven crime, sued several media outlets for defamation over their reporting into the allegations (<a href="https://www.fedcourt.gov.au/services/access-to-files-and-transcripts/online-files/lehrmann">the ABC</a> and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/dec/06/abc-agrees-to-pay-bruce-lehrmann-150000-to-settle-defamation-claim-court-documents-reveal">News Corp</a> both settled out of court). <iframe class="flourish-embed-iframe" style="width: 100%; height: 550px;" title="Interactive or visual content" src="https://flo.uri.sh/visualisation/17195035/embed" width="100%" height="400" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" sandbox="allow-same-origin allow-forms allow-scripts allow-downloads allow-popups allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation"></iframe> <div style="width: 100%!; margin-top: 4px!important; text-align: right!important;"><a class="flourish-credit" href="https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/17195035/?utm_source=embed&utm_campaign=visualisation/17195035" target="_top"><img src="https://public.flourish.studio/resources/made_with_flourish.svg" alt="Made with Flourish" /></a></div> Like Ben Roberts-Smith’s <a href="https://theconversation.com/dismissed-legal-experts-explain-the-judgment-in-the-ben-roberts-smith-defamation-case-191503">recent defamation suit</a> against the former Fairfax papers, this became another case of civil proceedings testing grave allegations in the absence of a criminal law outcome. The form of proceedings made for some key differences with the aborted criminal trial. In criminal cases, prosecutors are ethically bound to act with moderation in pursuing a conviction, which requires proof beyond a reasonable doubt, while defendants have the right to silence. By contrast, this trial featured detailed accounts from both sides as each sought to convince, in essence, that their contentions were likely to be correct. Also like the Roberts-Smith case, live streaming of the trial generated very high levels of public engagement. Today’s stream reached audiences of more than 45,000 people. It gave us the chance to assess who and what we believe, and to scrutinise the parties’ claims and the media’s reporting. The Federal Court doesn’t have juries, but we, the public, acted as a de facto panel of peers. We saw accusations and denials, revealing <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-12-23/bruce-lehrmann-defamation-trial-network-ten-lisa-wilkinson-ends/103260752">cross-examination</a> of the protagonists, witness testimony from colleagues, CCTV footage from nightclubs to Parliament House complete with lip-reading, expert testimony on alcohol consumption and consent, and lawyers constructing timelines which supported or poked holes in competing versions of events. The complexity of high-stakes legal proceedings was on display, with Justice Lee issuing many interim decisions on questions of procedure and evidence. Whenever transparency was at stake, it won. The preference for full disclosure led to the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/law/2024/apr/02/bruce-lehrmann-defamation-trial-network-10-fresh-evidence-bid-lisa-wilkinson-brittany-higgins-delay-ntwnfb">case being re-opened</a> at the eleventh hour to call former Channel 7 producer Taylor Auerbach as a witness, providing a denouement that the judge called “sordid”, but which had little relevance to the final result. <h2>An argument over the truth</h2> Lehrmann had the burden of proving that the defendants published matter harmful to his reputation. That matter was Wilkinson’s interview with Higgins on Channel Ten’s The Project in which the allegations were made. A statement is only defamatory if it’s untrue, but in Australian law, the publisher bears the burden of proving truth, should they opt for that defence. And more serious allegations usually require more compelling proof, as the law views them as inherently more unlikely. This can be onerous for a defamation defendant, but it also involves risk for the plaintiff, should the defendant embark on an odyssey of truth-telling yet more damaging to the plaintiff’s image. That happened to <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-65717684">Ben Roberts-Smith</a> and it happened to Lehrmann here. On the other hand, if the media hasn’t done their homework, as in <a href="https://www.judgments.fedcourt.gov.au/judgments/Judgments/fca/single/2023/2023fca1223">Heston Russell’s case</a> against the ABC (also presided over by Justice Lee), the complainant can be vindicated. This case was a manifestation of Lehrmann’s professed desire to “<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/oct/26/how-bruce-lehrmanns-media-interviews-cost-him-his-anonymity-in-toowoomba-case">light some fires</a>”. Few players in this extended saga have emerged without scars, and here he burned his own fingers, badly. As Justice Lee put it, Lehrmann, “having escaped the lion’s den [of criminal prosecution], made the mistake of coming back to get his hat”. <h2>How was the case decided?</h2> Lehrmann denied having sex with Higgins, whereas Higgins alleged there had been non-consensual sex. The defamatory nature of the publication centred on the claim of rape, so that was what the media defendants sought to prove. This left open the curious possibility that consensual sex might have taken place: if so, Lehrmann would have brought his case on a false premise (there had been no sex), but the media would have failed to defend it (by not proving a lack of consent), resulting in a Lehrmann win. That awkward scenario did not arise. The court found sex did in fact take place, Higgins in her heavily-inebriated and barely-conscious state did not give consent, and Lehrmann was so intent on his gratification that he ignored the requirement of consent. Justice Lee found Lehrmann to be a persistent, self-interested liar, whereas Higgin’s credibility issues were of lesser degree, some symptomatic of a person piecing together a part-remembered trauma. The judge drew strongly on the evidence of certain neutral parties who could testify to incidents or words spoken in close proximity to the events. <h2>Defamation laws favour the aggrieved</h2> Australian defamation law has historically favoured plaintiffs and, despite recent <a href="https://www.ruleoflaw.org.au/civil/defamation/2021-law-reform/">rebalancing attempts</a>, it remains a favoured legal weapon for those with the resources to use it. This includes our political class, who sue their critics for defamation with unhealthy frequency for a democracy. In the United States, public figures don’t have it so easy: to win they must prove their critics were lying. In Australia, the media sometimes succeeds in proving truth, but contesting defamation proceedings comes at great financial cost and takes an emotional toll on the journalists involved. Nor can a true claim always be proven to a court’s satisfaction, given the rules of evidence and the fact that sources may be reluctant to testify or protected by a reporter’s guarantee of confidentiality. But this case demonstrates that publishers with an appetite for the legal fight can come out on top.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/225891/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/brendan-clift-715691">Brendan Clift</a>, Lecturer of law, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-melbourne-722">The University of Melbourne</a> Image credits: Getty Images This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/judge-finds-bruce-lehrmann-raped-brittany-higgins-and-dismisses-network-10-defamation-case-how-did-it-play-out-225891">original article</a>.

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Judge finds Bruce Lehrmann raped Brittany Higgins and dismisses Network 10 defamation case. How did it play out?

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