Serco spy games: Escapees' ultimatum

The Yongah Hill Immigration Detention Centre. Source: News Limited

ASYLUM seekers who escape detention would be sent offshore for processing under tough new measures to deal with breakouts.

Detainees would also undergo a vetting process used to identify potential terrorists to weed out high-risk individuals.

Documents leaked to The Sunday Times show Serco, the embattled private contractor that runs most of the country's detention centres, is desperate to overhaul safety procedures.

It comes after a spate of breakouts - including 24 detainees escaping in 13 separate incidents since July last year.

Last week, The Sunday Times revealed how three asylum seekers took just 45 seconds to escape from a Northam detention centre on January 12 using nothing more than padded socks.

Serco has come under increasing pressure from authorities to lift their performance.

The documents show Serco wants to transfer detainees who attempt escapes to more secure facilities. It suggests offshore centres such as Manus Island and Christmas Island.

Serco also calls for the current security risk assessment process for detainees to be replaced by the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation's T4 Threat Methodology.

Currently, detainees are only assessed after they commit a misdemeanor.

Even then, their risk rating does not affect how they are monitored.

T4 is the group within ASIO - the country's spy agency - that provides security advice on potential threats of espionage, sabotage and politically motivated violence.

Under this process, detainees would be assessed on arrival and their threat level determined by other information such as their resourcefulness and ability to escape.

Serco also recommends escapees face criminal charges to deter copycat attempts or ¬repeat breakouts.

It also calls for facilities, such as the Yongah Hill Detention Centre in Northam, to be altered to include extra fencing to prevent escape bids.

Immigration Minister Scott Morrison this week demanded Serco lift its performance.

A spokesman for Mr Morrison yesterday said he would not comment on risk assessment processes for "operational reasons" but that all "illegal maritime arrivals" were "eligible" to be sent offshore.

He said in light of recent escapes at Yongah Hill, the government was upgrading the facility and moving medium to high-risk detainees.

The spokesman said the Minister was also "examining stronger sanction options" for escapees.

Refugee advocates have condemned the recommendation to send escapees offshore.

"I don't think any of those measures are going to help," Case for Refugees chief executive Shayla Strapps said.

"Perhaps the Minister should consider why these people are escaping."

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Aussie of the Year a Goodes choice

Collingwood president Eddie McGuire cautions against hysteria in the matter of a racial slur directed at Swans champ Adam Goodes, allegedly from a teenage Pies fan.

AFL star and Australian of the Year finalist Adam Goodes. Source: News Limited

AFL player and Aboriginal leader Adam Goodes has been named Australian of the Year for 2014.

Goodes was honoured for his leadership and advocacy in the fight against racism both on the sporting field and within society more broadly.

An indigenous Andyamathanha man, Goodes is a champion AFL player with the Sydney Swans.

He holds an elite place in AFL history, with two Brownlow Medals and two premierships.

``Thank you Australia for this award. This is a huge honour,'' Goodes told the crowd at the ceremony in Canberra.

Goodes said growing up as an indigenous Australian he had seen his fair share of racism.

``I believe racism is a community issue which we all need to address and that's why racism stops with me,'' he said.

Last year, the focus shifted momentarily from Goodes' outstanding playing ability to a racial slur on the field.

In a Swans match against Collingwood last May, a teenage girl called Goodes an ``ape'' from the grandstand.

Goodes said he turned the incident into an educational tool to teach indigenous Australians and minority groups to say no to racism.

The 34-year-old is a four-time All-Australian, member of the Indigenous Team of the Century, and has represented Australia in the International Rules Series.

He is actively involved with several indigenous sport and community programs, and has spent time working with troubled youngsters, including in youth detention centres.

RELATED: Hey, true-blue Aussies - let's take an Australia Day stand

Together with his cousin and former teammate Michael O'Loughlin, he established the GO Foundation which seeks to empower the next generation of indigenous role models.

Goodes made it clear he would have racism in his sights over the coming year.

``My hope is that we as a nation can break down the silos between races, break down those stereotypes of minority populations,'' he said.

``I hope we can be proud of our heritage, regardless of the colour of our skin and be proud to be Australian.

``The ultimate reward is when all Australians see each other as equals, and treat each other as equals.''

Goodes' mother Lisa, a member of the Stolen Generation, was among those in the crowd for the announcement.

Goodes receives his award from Prime Minister Tony Abbott. Source: AAP Source: Supplied

Australian of the Year 2014 - Adam Goodes (NSW)

- Joined Sydney Swans in 1997

- Dual Brownlow medallist

- Two AFL premiership victories

- Mentor to indigenous kids, establishing Go Foundation with his cousin and former teammate Michael O'Loughlin

Jacqueline Freney from New South Wales at a morning tea hosted by Prime Minister Tony Abbott at Parliament House in Canberra. Source: News Limited

Jacqueline Freney is no stranger to a podium but usually it's right beside a swimming pool.

On Saturday it wasn't another gold medal for the the Paralympic swimmer but instead a national honour, as the 21-year-old was named Young Australian of the Year for 2014.

``This is a significant day not only for me but for also for the Paralympic movement as it reflects the unique role Paralympians play in society,'' the Brisbane-born athlete said as she accepted her award.

Cerebral palsy has not stopped Freney achieving sporting success, and at the London 2012 Games she won eight gold medals - the greatest haul by any athlete in the Australian team.

In fact, she won a gold medal for every event in which she competed and set two world records.

The performance earned her the crown as Australia's 2012 Paralympian of the Year.

``Please understand that I'm just a country girl who was born with extra life challenges,'' Freney told the Canberra crowd.

``I'm an example of how a child with special needs can develop and achieve with support, guidance, encouragement and opportunity.

``I ask that all Australians respect each other's diversity and acknowledge their ability to contribute to this great country.''

Freney's efforts have continued out of the pool, working with Swimming Australia as a motivational speaker to inspire other athletes with disabilities.

Freney's current focus is training for the 2016 Rio Paralympics.

Young Australian of the Year 2014 - Jacqueline Freney (NSW)

- Aged 21

- Paralympic gold medal winning swimmer

- Most successful Australian of the London 2012 Paralympic Games

* * *

Senior Australian of the Year Fred Chaney AO, at a morning tea hosted by Prime Minister Tony Abbott at Parliament House in Canberra. Source: News Limited

Former federal politician Fred Chaney's contribution to Australian society remains resolute, as does his championing of indigenous rights since his departure from parliament in 1993.

The one-time Liberal senator and lower house MP for Western Australia, 72, has been named Senior Australian of the Year in recognition of his commitment to reconciliation and human rights.

Stepping up to accept his award in Canberra on Saturday, Mr Chaney voiced his hope that Australia will soon achieve constitutional recognition for indigenous people.

``I have one learning I've taken from the past 50 years and that is for the prime minister to meet his ambition, for all of us to meet our ambitions to close the gap and to do the right thing by Aboriginal people,'' Mr Chaney said after stepping forward to accept his award on Saturday.

``We have to work in partnership with Aboriginal people ... and if we do that then the political firepower that's being directed, the bureaucratic firepower and the community firepower will enable the Aboriginal people of Australia to have their rightful place in this country.''

Mr Chaney served as minister for Aboriginal affairs in the Fraser government but his commitment to indigenous rights began earlier.

He was an early advocate for Aboriginal voting rights in the 1960s and he later helped establish the Aboriginal Legal Service of WA.

Earlier on Saturday he recalled the ``brilliant campaign'' leading up to the 1967 referendum which allowed indigenous people to be counted in the census and for parliament to make laws concerning them.

He hopes a similarly strong momentum will build ahead of a planned referendum on recognising Aboriginal people in the constitution.

``In all his leadership roles, Mr Chaney inspires others to work collaboratively, respectfully and ambitiously to overcome the barriers that inhibit people's full economic and social participation in Australian society,'' a statement from the National Australia Day Council said.

Mr Chaney has served in a senior role with the National Native Title Tribunal and other advocacy groups, including the Graham (Polly) Farmer Foundation, which supports young indigenous people to reach their full potential.

The father of three, who trained as a lawyer, was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 1997 for his service to parliament and the Aboriginal community.

Senior Australian of the Year 2014 - Fred Chaney (WA)

- Federal Minister for Aboriginal Affairs in Fraser Government

- Early advocate for Aboriginal voting rights

- Founding co-chair of Reconciliation Australia

* * *

Local Hero, Tim Conolan, at the morning tea hosted by Prime Minister Tony Abbott at Parliament House in Canberra. Source: News Limited

Tim Conolan has been a hero for millions of sick children over the past 15 years and now the title is official.

The Victorian founder and boss of children's charity TLC For Kids has been named Australia's Local Hero for 2014 by the National Australia Day Council.

``To say that I'm overwhelmed is a complete understatement,'' the 44-year-old said as he accepted the honour in Canberra.

He says he set up TLC for Kids because of a lack of services for sick children.

``I believe that any sick child, regardless of their illness, has a right to support,'' he said.

And all sick children should have the opportunity to smile, he said.

``I believe that we are living in the best country in the world and with enough support and everyone getting behind us we can all make a difference. So let's make 2014 the year of the smile,'' he said.

He said the real heroes were the sick children, their families and the hospital staff that help them everyday.

Started in 1998, Mr Conolan's charity offers practical and emotional support to ill youngsters and their families at hundreds of hospitals across the country.

One of TLC's programs includes supplying therapeutic toys and items used by health-care professionals to guide children through frightening and painful procedures.

As a young man Mr Conolan was asked to address a cancer support group as a motivational speaker, where he was inspired to help some of the seriously-ill children he met.

Since then the entrepreneur has made it his mission to ensure all children in hospital have the support they need.

Australia's Local Hero 2014 - Tim Conolan (VIC)

- Set up charity TLC for kids in 1998

- Has helped more than four million sick children and their families

- Former DJ

* * *

THE FULL LIST OF AUSTRALIANS OF THE YEAR

2014 - Adam Goodes

2013 - Ita Buttrose

2012 - Geoffrey Rush

2011 - Simon McKeon

2010 - Prof Patrick McGorry

2009 - Prof Mick Dodson

2008 - Lee Kernaghan

2007 - Prof Tim Flannery

2006 - Prof Ian Frazer

2005 - Dr Fiona Wood

2004 - Steve Waugh

2003 - Prof Fiona Stanley

2002 - Pat Rafter

2001 - Lt Gen Peter Cosgrove

2000 - Sir Gustav Nossal

1999 - Mark Taylor

1998 - Cathy Freeman

1997 - Prof Peter Doherty

1996 - Dr John Yu

1995 - Arthur Boyd

1994 - Ian Kiernan

1992 - Mandawuy Yunupingu

1991 - Archbishop Peter Hollingworth

1990 - Dr Fred Hollows

1989 - Allan Border

1988 - Kay Cottee

1987 - John Farnham

1986 - Dick Smith

1985 - Paul Hogan

1984 - Lowitja O'Donoghue

1983 - Robert de Castella

1982 - Sir Edward Williams

1981 - Sir John Crawford

1980 - Manning Clark

1979 - Harry Butler, Senator Neville Bonner

1978 - Alan Bond, Galarrwuy Yunupingu

1977 - Sir Murray Tyrrell, Dame Raigh Roe

1976 - Sir Edward 'Weary' Dunlop

1975 - Major General Alan Stretton

1975 - Sir John Cornforth

1974 - Sir Bernard Heinze

1973 - Patrick White

1972 - Shane Gould

1971 - Evonne Goolagong

1970 - Cardinal Sir Norman Gilroy

1969 - Richard Gardiner Casey

1968 - Lionel Rose

1967 - The Seekers

1966 - Sir Jack Brabham

1965 - Sir Robert Helpmann

1964 - Dawn Fraser

1963 - Sir John Eccles

1962 - Alexander 'Jock' Sturrock

1961 - Dame Joan Sutherland

1960 - Sir Macfarlane Burnet

Source: National Australia Day Council. No award given in 1993

###

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Shark drumlines set to catch-and-kill

A rider on a jet ski gets a close look at the shark boat laying a baited drum line

COLIN Barnett's controversial shark-kill policy saw the first baited drum lines set off the South-West yesterday.

At 2.25pm, the first drum line with a big hook baited with three big fish was in place.

By 4.15pm nine drum lines had been set, spaced out 1km offshore from Old Dunsborough and Castle Rock at Cape Naturaliste, by the contracted fisherman.

The drum lines were attached to the ocean floor and connected to buoys and baited hooks designed to snare big sharks, which will be destroyed under the policy.

Within a couple of hours, The Sunday Times in a nearby boat watched as a very big ray, pictured left, investigated one baited hook.

A large Bull Ray has a nibble at the bait on one of the drum baits. Picture: Theo Fakos Source: Supplied

Under his contract with the State Government, the professional fisherman who set the drum lines must now monitor the coast 12 hours a day between 6am and 6pm, rebaiting the hooks and waiting for a catch.

Yesterday's start came amid strong protests from green groups and activists who were in Dunsborough but did not interfere with the operation.

However, one group was preparing to head out on a zodiac craft last night.

They vowed to visit each drum line and remove the bait from each hook, rendering them useless.

Amy-Lea Wilkins, spokeswoman for conservation group Animal Rescue Team, said she had a team of 22 volunteers in Dunsborough, including a vet and a marine biologist who would enter the water with diving gear to free hooked sharks as well as by-catch, such as dolphins, turtles and rays.

"We don't want any marine life dying and we'll do our best to save any animals that are caught, including sharks," Ms Wilkins said.

Pics of the fisherman on their boat who are preparing to set drum lines off Dunsborough. Picture: Theo Fakos Source: News Limited

Anti-cull campaigner Simon Peterffy, who has formed a "marine response unit'', yesterday pledged: "We'll be stopping the hunt, we will be neutralising these drums and we'll be doing rescues of dolphins and other by-catch.''

Before setting to work, the professional fisherman doing the job cooled off with a quick swim in the sea in his undies.

In his only interview from the back of his boat, the fisherman - whom The Sunday Times has decided not to name - said he used mackerel to bait the "very large" hooks but from next week he would be using "really good bait", salmon from South Australia.

He said Water Police and Fisheries officers were on standby to protect him against protesters "but only if necessary, and so far it hasn't been necessary".

"We are worried about what they might do, what they might throw at us or the extreme things they might do," he said.

The fisherman on theboat as they set drum lines off Dunsborough. Picture: Theo Fakos Source: News Limited

The fisherman said the drum lines "might make the beaches safer".

"But I'm more interested in the research we can contribute to," he said.

The fisherman, a South-West resident for 40 years, said he was "spooked" by the spate of shark attacks and the anecdotal increase in great white numbers.

If he caught a shark over 3m, he said: "We'll destroy it. We will shoot it and take it well offshore and dispose of it. We will puncture the gut cavity so the lice can get in."

He said by-catch would be unlikely because of the large size of the hooks used.

"We're targeting large sharks, the big ones. I doubt we'll catch anything else," he said.

Sharks under 3m would be released.

"We'll have to be very careful and we're still developing a procedure. We'll have to grab them and we've got a mesh glove for that. You don't want to put your hand down its mouth, that's for sure," he said.

"We're dealing with a wild animal that I have every respect for, and I really mean that, I have every respect for these animals and I take that very seriously."

The boat with the drumline equipment. Picture: Theo Fakos Source: News Limited

Earlier threats from activists prompted some fishermen who had tendered for the Perth contracts to pull out.

As a result, Fisheries Department staff will now bait and monitor hooks off the five locations near metropolitan beaches.

More anti-cull rallies are planned for Saturday, including another one at Cottesloe.

Organiser Natalie Banks, hopes for an even bigger crowd than the 4500 who attended the first rally earlier this month.

"We know that the majority of people are frustrated with this initiative," she said.

Premier Colin Barnett has not responded to an invitation to attend.

Great whites are protected but Federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt this week granted the State Government a temporary exemption from national environment laws.

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Brit flees facebook fury to Perth

Anton Casey with his wife, former Miss Universe Singapore Bernice Wong, has been forced to apologise after disparaging remakrs about "poor people" on public transport. Source: Supplied/Facebook Source: Supplied

A BRITISH wealth fund manager has sought refuge in Perth after receiving death threats in Singapore for apparently mocking "poor people" on Facebook.

Anton Casey reportedly fled to Perth on Friday with his wife, a former Miss Singapore, and young son after his remarks provoked a social media storm this week.

It erupted when the 39-year-old posted a photograph on his personal Facebook account of his son sitting on a train with the caption: "Daddy where is your car & who are all these poor people?"

A second photograph showing his convertible Porsche said: "Ahhhhhh reunited with my baby. Normal service can resume, once I have washed the stench of public transport off me FFS!" (A popular abbreviation of For F---'s Sake).

One of Anton Casey's offensive posts. Source: Supplied

A post from last year in which he said a cabbie deserved a "retard award" for wearing arm warmers, mittens and a towel even though it was 37C outside also emerged.

Screengrabs of Mr Casey's posts went viral online on Monday after they appeared on several Singaporean websites, prompting a torrent of abuse and making international headlines.

The expat issued an apology "to the people of Singapore" on Wednesday as even the country's Law and Foreign Affairs Minister weighed into the controversy, describing the remarks as "deeply offensive, wrong, and unacceptable". Mr Casey said his family had suffered "extreme emotional and verbal abuse online" due to his "misguided attempt at humour" and a security breach on his Facebook page.

He said a YouTube video which was misunderstood to be a dismissive reaction to the furore was made weeks ago and was not a response to the recent events.

Singapore's national newspaper, The Straits Times, yesterday reported Mr Casey had fled to Perth with his wife, Bernice Wong, and son on Friday.

In an email to the newspaper, Mr Casey said: "I hope the people of Singapore will allow me to volunteer my time and resources to community projects in order to make amends. I also hope the people of Singapore, my adopted home, will forgive me."

On Friday night his firm, Crossinvest Asia, said on its Facebook page that it had parted ways with Mr Casey "with immediate effect".

In a post "liked" more than 800 times, the wealth fund management firm said it was "deeply concerned" by the comments which had "caused great distress among Singaporeans".

"Those comments go against our core corporate and family values that are based on trust, mutual understanding and are respectful of diversity," the statement said.

"Crossinvest Asia is a family business which has been built here in Singapore. The online comments made by Mr. Casey do not represent the culture that we have built over many years."

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Long jail term call over murder plot

Prosecutors have called for a severe sentence for a frail, elderly, wealthy Albany businessman who attempted to hire a hitman to murder his son's ex-wife. Picture: File image Source: News Limited

PROSECUTORS have called for a severe sentence for a frail, elderly, wealthy Albany businessman who attempted to hire a hitman to murder his son's ex-wife.

Brian Vincent Attwell, 73, was found guilty by a jury after a five-day trial in the Albany Courthouse in November, charged with the rare offence of attempting to procure the commission of a crime.

The court heard the accused had asked a truck driver, who approached him desperate for work with his civil contracting company AD Contractors, to kill 50-year-old Michelle Patreena Attwell after becoming frustrated with a protracted, bitter legal dispute between her and his son following the breakdown of their marriage.

The driver informed police, who instructed him to set up a meeting between Attwell and an undercover policeman.

Attwell met the policeman twice at a beach near the woman's home, and paid $10,000 in two instalments as a down payment on a $30,000 job, telling the officer to bind the "maggot" in duct tape, strangle her and bury her in a 30-foot hole dug by an excavator.

Today, prosecutor James MacTaggart said that Attwell's conduct - "crudely plotting the death of someone who was once a member of the offender's family" because of the legal dispute - was "not on" and "must be visited with a very severe deterrent sentence".

"It cannot be the case that the justice system of this state is undermined in such a violent fashion," Mr MacTaggart said.

He said the undercover policeman did not say anything about a hit when he made initial contact, merely saying he had been asked to meet with Attwell.

"This is not a case where the offender was encouraged ... to commit an offence."

But defence lawyer Tom Percy suggested Attwell's comments about getting "rid off" his former daughter-in-law were "throwaway" and that he may not have taken the matter further had he not been contacted by the undercover officer after the tip-off from the driver.

"The whole idea may have died a death," he said.

"None of it ever went beyond speculation." Mr MacTaggart said Attwell made it clear to the undercover officer that he didn't want any trace of evidence that linked the crime back to him, saying the body shouldn't be buried on his land as local police knew of his antipathy towards the intended victim, and he wanted "no blood".

Mr Percy called for a jail term of less than five years, which under WA can be suspended, saying Attwell's health would deteriorate faster if he was jailed.

Attwell had already spent a significant amount of time in jail after he was arrested and his behaviour while on bail had been exemplary, Mr Percy said.

"He's heard the clanging of gates - he's been in prison," the QC said.

Referring to the victim impact statement, Mr MacTaggart said Ms Attwell had been immensely frightened by her ordeal - not even listening to music so she could hear if someone was approaching her house.

Justice Ralph Simmonds will sentence Attwell on Tuesday.

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Shark catch-and-kill 'ready to go'

WA Premier Colin Barnett with a hook from the baited drumlines. Source: News Limited

THE fisherman tasked with setting drumlines to catch and kill big sharks off WA's South-West is ready to go and could begin operating as soon as tomorrow.

A spokesman for Premier Colin Barnett said the fisherman, who has asked to remain anonymous, is heading from Perth back to the South-West today and is "tooled up'' with the drumlines and other equipment he needs.

"He is going back down south today and then it is up to him and his crew. He's tooled up, so to speak, and ready to go. We'd like him to get underway but that depends on him and his crew,'' the spokesman said.

``It's an operational matter for him now. He will go when he and his crew are ready.''

Protesters have vowed to disable the drumlines and stop sharks being caught.

But the fisherman has told media that he has a direct line to police if protesters try to stop him setting and checking the baited hooks.

Federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt this week granted the State Government a temporary exemption from national environment laws protecting great white sharks.

Up to 72 drumlines are due to be deployed after the government announced Department of Fisheries staff would bait and monitor the hooks in Perth and a fisherman had been contracted to patrol the South-West.

In the South-West, drumlines will be set from Cape Naturaliste to Gracetown, close to the scene of the latest fatal shark attack on surfer Chris Boyd, with sharks over 3m to be destroyed.

More than 4000 people protested against the plan earlier this month and a second rally is planned for Cottesloe Beach at 10am on February 1.

The proposed policy has attracted worldwide media attention, with the Wall Street Journal among many overseas publications to pick up on the story.

And Ricky Gervais and a host of other British celebrities have backed a campaign to stop WA's plan to catch-and-kill sharks.

The world famous comedian and prominent animal rights advocate was pictured holding an anti-cull sign at yesterday's National TV Awards in London.

Olympians Rebecca Adlington and Tom Daley, comedians Keith Lemon and Alan Carr and reality show star Mark Wright were also photographed on Twitter weighing into the debate.

The shark barrier designed to protect beachgoers at Old Dunsborough beach in WA's South West. Source: Supplied

Shark net trial in Busselton ready

The shark barrier designed to protect beachgoers at WA's popular Dunsborough beach has been completed.

The Premier confirmed the City of Busselton's beach enclosure trial at Old Dunsborough Beach is under way.

The $165,000 barrier, based on those used on the Gold Coast to prevent bull shark attacks, has been constructed over the past few months.

The enclosure comprises six metal piles drilled into the seabed supporting a 100m x 300m mesh barrier.

The trial will test the suitability of beach enclosures to protect beachgoers from sharks.

Mr Barnett said Old Dunsborough Beach was an appropriate location - despite no shark attacks being recorded at the location.

``Old Dunsborough Beach is used for school holiday swimming lessons, surf lifesaving and community events,'' he said.

Mr Barnett said the beach enclosure trial was one of ``a range of measures'' put in place to decrease the risk from a shark attack.

The shark barrier designed to protect beachgoers at Old Dunsborough beach in WA's South West. Source: Supplied

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Man blew up house to stop inheritance

A man who blew up his own house because he did not want his siblings to inherit it has been jailed for more than two years by a Perth judge. Picture: File image Source: News Limited

A MAN who blew up his own house because he did not want his siblings to inherit it has been jailed for more than two years by a Perth judge.

Trevor Raymond Seaman, 46, was ordered to leave the house in Hovea in September after his sister won a legal battle as the administrator of their father's will.

The day after a court hearing confirming his eviction from the house he shared with his wife and child, Seaman disconnected a 75kg gas bottle, placed it in the garage, climbed into a roof space, and ignited the gas with a lit piece of paper.

The subsequent explosion caused $350,000 damage to the house, but left Seaman with just superficial burns - despite later telling police he had intended to die in the blaze.

The house later had to be demolished.

In interviews with police, Seaman told investigators that he had helped build the house with his father, and felt after his sudden death he had more right to it than his three siblings.

The Supreme Court was told a psychologist had concluded Seaman was mentally impaired at the time he destroyed the home, due to the stress of the eviction, a failing delivery business and a medical condition being fought by his wife.

As such, Justice Lindy Jenkins said she had reduced the sentence considerably.

Seaman was jailed for two years and six months for his plea of guilty to one charge of arson. He will be eligible for parole after 15 months in prison.

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Charges over minister's home burglary

Police have charged a 40-year-old man with breaking into Corrective Services Minister Joe Francis' Atwell home last year. Source: News Limited

POLICE have this afternoon charged a 40-year-old man with breaking into Corrective Services Minister Joe Francis' Atwell home last year.

The man, of no fixed address, has been charged with one count of burglary and stealing over the incident on October 17. He will be summonsed to appear in court at a later date.

It was reported at the time that the prisons minister's wallet, credit cards and keys to two cars were stolen during the burglary.

Mr Francis triggered a personal duress alarm when he disturbed the burglar during the middle of the night break-in, prompting a police helicopter and a number of police cars to attend the scene.

The minister said his two dogs were alerted to the intruder's presence and became very aggressive.

Mr Francis said he since moved house because of safety concerns.

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Celebrities back 'anti-shark cull' campaign

Ricky Gervais is one of several UK celebrities publicly urging the WA Government to stop the planned shark catch-and-kill policy. Picture: Natalie Banks/Twitter Source: Supplied

RICKY Gervais and a host of other British celebrities have backed a campaign to stop WA's plan to catch-and-kill sharks.

The world famous comedian and prominent animal rights advocate was pictured holding an anti-cull sign at today's National TV Awards in London.

Olympians Rebecca Adlington and Tom Daley, comedians Keith Lemon and Alan Carr and reality show star Mark Wright were also photographed on Twitter weighing into the debate.

The high profile message to the Barnett Government said: "Listen to facts. Listen to science. Listen to reason. Stop the shark cull. #nosharkcull."

Gemma Care, who organised the stunt, tweeted: "Went to @OfficialNTAs tonight & got hugely appreciated celeb support for #NoSharkCull Campaign!"

Gervais has more than 5.4 million followers on Twitter, while Lemon is followed by over 1.2 million people.

Federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt this week granted the State Government a temporary exemption from national environment laws protecting great white sharks.

Up to 72 drumlines are due to be deployed after the government announced Fisheries staff would bait and monitor the hooks in Perth and a fisherman had been contracted to patrol the South-West.

More than 4000 people protested against the plan earlier this month and a second rally is planned for Cottesloe Beach at 10am on February 1.

The proposed policy has attracted worldwide media attention, with the Wall Street Journal among many overseas publications to pick up on the story.

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Teen gets seven years for rape

A 16-year-old boy who raped and threatened to kill a young woman in her Perth home last year has been sentenced to seven years' detention. Picture: File image Source: News Limited

A 16-YEAR-old boy who raped and threatened to kill a young woman in her Perth home last year has been sentenced to seven years' detention.

The teenager was armed with a knife when he broke into the woman's southern suburbs home in late September in the early hours of the morning and sexually assaulted her.

The teenager, who cannot be named because of his age, pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated sexual penetration without consent, one count of aggravated burglary and one count of create a false belief.

Today in the Perth Children's Court he was sentenced to a total of seven years immediate detention.

Harrowing details of the incident were read out in court today by Children's Court president Denis Reynolds, including how the woman grabbed the knife off her attacker and sustained cuts to her hands in the process.

The court heard how the victim was "convinced she was going to die."

The court was told the teenager broke into the woman's home via a window before entering her bedroom with a 30cm kitchen knife, threatening to kill her if she screamed before raping her.

The court heard the young woman grabbed the knife off him before the teenager grabbed it back again. She then managed to flee the house but the armed teen chased after her.

Realising there were people in the area outside, he fled the scene, but left many of his belongings behind.

Judge Reynolds labelled the teenager's actions "shocking, appalling and horribly wrong". He said the public would be "outraged" if he did not sentence the teenager to detention.

"The offending by you is right in the upper echelon of seriousness," Judge Reynolds said.

"There is a likelihood the impact of your offending will be long lasting on her (the victim).

"What you did was just so shocking, so appalling … horribly and seriously wrong."

Judge Reynolds said he did not believe the teenager had shown enough remorse for what he did. He said such attacks on young women had to be dealt with "firmly" by the courts.

"I don't expect you are nowhere near as remorseful as you should be," he said.

Sections of the young woman's victim impact statement were read out today in court. In part it read: "I was convinced I would die a lonely death."

The court heard the victim now suffered from panic attacks, nightmares and had sustained permanent scarring as a result of the attack.

Judge Reynolds noted the scars on her hand from being cut with the knife would remind her daily of what happened to her.

"Those scars will be a constant reminder," he said.

When the teenager appeared in court last month it was revealed that he had concocted a number of false stories to police during his interviews with them.

One such lie was that he was forced to break into the victim's home by a group of men who then forced him to commit the sexual assault.

All of the stories were proved false, hence he was charged by police with the offence create a false belief.

The teenager will be eligible for supervised release after serving half his sentence.

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Officers suspended over unlocked cell

Five youth custodial officers have been suspended over allegations a cell was left unlocked at WA's only juvenile detention centre. Picture: File image Source: News Limited

FIVE youth custodial officers have been suspended over allegations a cell was left unlocked at WA's only juvenile detention centre.

The Department of Corrective Services has confirmed that it is conducting an investigation into the alleged incident which took place at Banksia Hill this week.

A spokesman told PerthNow an occupied cell had allegedly been left unlocked on Monday night.

He said five youth custodial officers had been suspended while the inquiry was being carried out.

It is understood no damage was caused to the cell or the detention centre.

The alleged incident comes exactly one year after more than 70 young offenders went on a violent rampage at the facility.

The incident caused around $400,000 worth of damage and led to more than 150 teenage boys being moved to Hakea prison, an adult facility for prisoners on remand or who had just been sentenced.

A report into the January 21 riot by the Inspector of Custodial Services Neil Morgan found the incident was "entirely predictable" saying there were warning signs that a serious incident could occur 18 months before it took place.

His report said moving juvenile offenders into a single facility led to the problems at Banksia Hill.

The Barnett Government shut down the Rangeview Remand Centre in 2012 to make way for the Wandoo Reintegration Facility which is run by private contractor Serco.

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Kwinana bushfire downgraded

A bushfire emergency in the Kwinana area has been downgraded, but homes are still under possible threat as crews battle two blazes just 4km apart.

Fire crews battle an out of control bush fire threatening homes in Kwinana. Picture: Kirsty Little/Twitter Source: News Limited

Bushfire as seen from Sloan Drive in Leda. Picture: Nine News/Twitter Source: Supplied

THE threat from this afternoon's bushfire emergency in Perth's south has lessened, but homes are still under possible threat as crews battle two blazes just 4km apart.

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services has downgraded its emergency alert to a watch and act for the bigger of the two fires - in Leda, Calista and Medina in the Kwinana area.

A fire in bushland in Kwinana is a possible threat to homes. Picture: Justin Benson Cooper Source: News Limited

Tonight, the medium-level alert remains for people west of Medina Avenue in Medina, west of Calista Avenue in Calista and the northern part of Leda in the City of Kwinana.

There is a possible threat to lives and homes as they are approaching the area and conditions are changing. People need to leave or get ready to actively defend.

The fire is contained but not controlled.

A bushfire advice warning was tonight in place for the second blaze, affecting people in Kwinana Beach, east of Rockingham Road and Patterson Road to the railway line.

The fire is bounded by Thomas Road, Abercombie Road, Hope Valley Road and Rockingham Road in Kwinana Beach and Naval Base in the City of Kwinana.

The fire started in bushland north of Thomas Road near Ratcliffe Road.

DFES believes the now small controllable blaze was deliberately lit.

The cause of the bigger fire is unknown at this stage.

Although there is no immediate threat, people should stay alert for any updates.

Fire crews battle an out of control bush fire threatening homes in Kwinana. Picture: Kirsty Little/Twitter Source: News Limited

In regards to the Leda, Calista and Medina blaze, a wind change saw the fire shift to a north westerly direction this afternoon. The fire is now burning towards Mandurah Road. Eighty five firefighters are battling the blaze.

A second out of control fire has been sparked nearby, prompting another evacuation plea.

A watch and act alert has been issued for people in an area bounded by Thomas Road, Abercombie Road, Hope Valley Road and Rockingham Road in Kwinana Beach and Naval Base in the City of Kwinana.

The fire started in bushland north of Thomas Road near Ratcliffe Road. It is burning towards Rockingham Road.

The Kwinana Golf Club has also reportedly been evacuated.

The sense of urgency was heightened because the fire is close to the Dampier to Bunbury gas pipeline. A DFES spokesman said fire crews were doing their best to protect that asset.

The fire started between Gentle Road and Wellard Road. It is burning towards the Kwinana Golf Club.

Burning embers are likely to be blown around your home. Spot fires are starting up to 50m ahead of the fire.

About 49 hectares have been burnt.

A fire in bushland in Kwinana is a possible threat to homes. Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper Source: News Limited

Locals watch as fire edges closer

Residents along Porter Gardens in Leda have lined up in front of Sloan's Reserve watching as smoke comes closer to houses.

Martin Montgomery, who lives on Porter Gardens, said it was the first time in years that Sloan's reserve has been on fire.

"I'd say there is a fire bug about because there was a fire here last night that they put out really quickly," Mr Montgomery said.

Mr Montgomery said he was unsure if he would stay and defend or evacuate. But he said his family evacuated the home about three hours ago.

Anthony O'Bree has lived in Kwinana for 14 years and his house is about 1km away from the fire.

"I'll fight, I'll even come down and help people out," he said.

"I've had a couple of mates evacuate from Medina."

Eighty five career and volunteer Fire and Rescue Service and Bush Fire Service firefighters from 20 stations and brigades are on the scene, and aerial support has been sent to assist ground crews.

A temporary evacuation centre has been set up at the Kwinana Town Council building on the corner of Sulphur Road and Gilmore Avenue in Kwinana.

Text and voice messages have been sent to people in the area warning them of the danger.

The cause of the fire, reported at about 12.30pm, is unknown.

Fire crews battle an out of control bush fire threatening homes in Kwinana. Picture: Kirsty Little/Twitter Source: News Limited

WHAT TO DO:

•If you are not prepared or you plan to leave, leave now if the way is clear.

•There is ember attack ahead of the fire, so close all doors and windows, and turn off evaporative air conditioners, but keep water running through the system if possible.

•If you are well prepared and plan to actively defend your home, make final preparations now.

•Do not rely on mains water pressure as it may be affected. If you have access to a water tank and plan to defend your home, start patrolling with your hose and put out spot fires.

•If you are not at home, do not try to return as conditions in the area could be very dangerous.

SAFEST ROUTE:

If you live in the eastern part of Calista or Leda leave in a northerly direction. Do not travel along Wellard Road between Gilmore Avenue and Mandurah Road.

A fire in bushland in Kwinana is a possible threat to homes. Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper Source: News Limited

ROAD CLOSURES:

Avoid the area and be aware of fire and other emergency services personnel working on site.

A number of roads have been closed including:

•Wellard Road

•Gentle Road

•Stanyford Way

Vehicle control points have been set up along Mandurah Road at the following locations:

•Day Road

•Office Road

•Beach Street

•Richardson Road

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Taser cops may appeal, union angry

Two policemen who tasered Kevin Spratt repetitively assaulted their vulnerable victim in a gross error of judgment, a Perth magistrate found as he spared the officers jail time today.

TWO policemen who tasered Kevin Spratt repetitively assaulted their "vulnerable victim" in a gross error of judgment, a Perth magistrate found as he spared the officers jail time today.

More than five years after their repeated tasering of Mr Spratt in the East Perth watch house, auxiliary officer Troy Tomlin, 34, and Sgt Aaron Grant Strahan, 45 were this morning sentenced to suspended jail terms and fined thousands of dollars.

The convictions and sentences have outraged the WA Police Union, which expressed its shock and disappointment and warned the case could have widespread ramifications on the mindset of every police officer.

Union president George Tilbury backed the Tomlin and Strahan, saying the union believed they were "wrongfully convicted" and given "manifestly unjust sentences".

Aaron Strahan, left, and his colleague Troy Tomlin leave Perth Magistrates Court after being convicted of the tasering assault of Kevin Spratt. Picture: Theo Fakos Source: News Limited

The officers' futures with WA Police hang in the balance in the wake of their convictions.

They are now considering appealing against their convictions and sentence. Police Commissioner Karl O'Callaghan declined to comment because of the possibility of an appeal.

Magistrate Richard Bromfield described the assault of Mr Spratt - who was tasered by the convicted officers nine times in just over a minute after he refused to be stripsearched - as a "gross error of judgment" and a "persistent and repetitive assault on a vulnerable victim in custody."

The tasering came to light and attracted international headlines when the Corruption and Crime Commission investigated and released shocking CCTV vision of the September 2008 incident.

Yesterday, Mr Bromfield found Tomlin guilty of all three common assault charges against him and Strahan guilty of three charges and not guilty on a fourth.

Today the magistrate concluded imprisonment was the only sentence, but chose to suspend the officers' eight-month terms for six months.

Tomlin was also fined $3800, while Strahan was slapped with a $3250 penalty.

"No reasonable person could view that footage without being disturbed,'' Mr Bromfield said.

He said claims from defence lawyer Karen Vernon that Mr Spratt could have been screaming in joy during the assault were "fanciful''. Instead, he described Mr Spratt's utterances as loud and protracted cries of anguish.

While Mr Spratt had been intoxicated and unco-operative before the assault, his struggling during the incident was an understandable response as the Tasers were clearly causing him discomfort, he said.

"He was in custody. He could not flee from either of you. He was in an extremely vulnerable position,'' he said.

An image from CCTV vision which shows Kevin Spratt being tasered by police. Source: Supplied

Mr Spratt was at court today, but did not comment on the sentences as he left.

Mr Tilbury said the case would strike fear into the minds of every police officer who carries a Taser.

"Tasers were brought in to provide another less than lethal force option and prevent injury to police officers and others. This incident is a case in point, as no one was injured," he said.

"However, officers are now faced with the prospect of criminal convictions clouding their decision if they use their Taser.

"Officers should not be backed into a corner like this. They should be able to use all reasonable force options required in the circumstances and should not be scared to use their taser when needed."

Mr Tilbury said the case had gone on too long and caused a significant toll on the officers and their families.

After yesterday's verdict, Mr Spratt expressed relief in a statement saying the decision confirmed that no one was above the law and that a Taser should only be used as a last resort.

He hoped the verdict would make it less likely that others would suffer at the hands of police misusing their power.

Tomlin and Strahan, who were previously fined $1200 and $750 respectively after an internal police disciplinary hearing, declined to comment outside court but are expected to issue a statement later today.

They are expected to have to fight to keep their jobs as a result of the convictions.

The verdict will now likely factor into Mr Spratt's imminent application for an ex-gratia compensation payment.

Sentencing submissions

Yesterday, the officers' defence lawyer Karen Vernon argued for spent convictions and either a good behaviour bond or fines rather than imprisonment.

She said it had been a "long and dark period" for her clients.

Both officers were senior constables at the time, but Strahan has since been promoted to a sergeant while Tomlin has become an auxiliary officer for WA Police.

Ms Vernon submitted Tomlin stepped down from frontline policing over the events in question.

"It seems that for them this is a situation that just continues to play out and play out in the public arena," she said.

Ms Vernon said the officers had suffered personal condemnation and shame.

She also said her clients, who could lose their jobs as a result of the verdict, would seek to apply for a spent conviction as it would dent their employment prospects.

However, state prosecutor James MacTaggart said a spent conviction would "trivialise" the pair's conduct and submitted a "substantial fine" would be appropriate.

Mr Bromfield rejected the spent conviction application.

Six-day trial over tasering in 2008

Strahan and Tomlin have been on trial for six days, jointly accused of common assault over the tasering of Mr Spratt.

CCTV footage showed the senior constables tasering Mr Spratt nine times in just over a minute after he refused to be stripsearched.

In handing down his decision in Perth Magistrates Court yesterday afternoon, the magistrate acquitted Strahan of the fourth assault charge because there was insufficient evidence that the Taser actually struck Mr Spratt on that occasion.

He convicted the officers of all other charges, saying there was no reason for self-defence and their actions were "not authorised or justified."

The court heard from an expert witness that police were instructed not to use the devices for the purposes of ensuring compliance.

Kevin Spratt who was repeatedly tasered by police. Source: News Limited

Victim relieved

Mr Spratt was not in court yesterday, but in a statement issued after the verdict he said it was a "huge relief that justice has finally been delivered."

"I am pleased that the court has confirmed that no one is above the law and a Taser should only be used as a last resort," he said.

"I am hopeful that today's convictions and the views previously expressed by the CCC will make it less likely others would suffer at the hands of police misusing their power."

Mr Spratt will soon apply to the Attorney-General for an ex-gratia compensation payment. If that is unsuccessful, he will consider launching a civil case against the two officers and possibly others.

The policemen were charged following an inquiry by the Corruption and Crime Commission.

In April 2012, the CCC recommended the Director of Public Prosecutions consider laying charges against the pair.

Self-defence claims

During the trial, Ms Vernon argued that Mr Spratt had became uncontrollable and the officers had used justifiable force as Mr Spratt was extremely difficult to restrain.

But Mr MacTaggart said Mr Spratt wasn't posing a threat to anyone.

"To the extent that it's suggested that the application (of the taser) was self-defence ... we say that was not a reasonable response in the circumstances," Mr MacTaggart said.

"On the floor he didn't constitute a threat.

"With so many officers around ... there was simply no need to exercise the taser again."

The court was told that when Tomlin first tasered Mr Spratt he said "give me your hand or you're going to get f...... tasered" before he went on to taser Mr Spratt for three seconds.

After Strahan first tasered Mr Spratt, he then him "do you want to go again? Do you want to go again?" before shocking him for another five seconds..

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Woman threatened with hammer in violent invasion

A police officer has risked his life trying to arrest a man wanted over a home invasion.

A 21-YEAR-OLD woman is too scared to sleep in her family home after a man threatened her with a hammer in a violent home invasion.

Police are searching for the man, whose vehicle is shown in the above video, who broke into the woman's Bunbury home on Friday night.

The woman, who wished to remain nameless for safety reasons, said she had been taken home by a friend about midnight and was about to go to bed when she heard a strange noise in her backyard.

A 21-year-old woman has told of how she's scared to sleep in her family home after a man broke in and threatened her with a hammer. Source: Supplied

She originally thought she was being paranoid because her home had been broken into twice over the Christmas season.

"But then I heard someone trying one of the back doors, so I yelled out hoping they would go away and be scared by me," she said.

"Then I heard really loud banging on the back window."

Before she could do anything, the man smashed into her living room.

"He was on one side of the dining room so I picked up a chair to put something between us," she said.

"He brought the hammer so close to my head and screamed at me 'Where's your money?' and kept screaming at me."

A 21-year-old woman has told of how she's scared to sleep in her family home after a man broke in and threatened her with a hammer. Source: Supplied

He left her home with her purse.

After he left, a neighbour, who had heard the commotion, came to help, armed with a bat.

He chased the offender down the street and gave police a description of a vehicle, later involved in a chase.

Police located the Toyota Hilux and pulled it over when an officer was dragged by the car when the driver attempted to take off.

Police then had to abort a chase due for safety reasons.

A 21-year-old woman has told of how she's scared to sleep in her family home after a man broke in and threatened her with a hammer. Source: Supplied

The woman said she was very angry someone had made her feel unsafe in her family home.

"I'm shocked someone could commit a crime like this but on the other hand it shows how amazing some people can be to come out of their home and put themselves in danger to help me," she said.

"But I'm really angry that someone has made me feel scared in my own home - I grew up in that house and now I can't even sleep there."

Anyone with any information should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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Claremont killer rumours 'wrong'

Murdered: Jane Rimmer Source: News Limited

Missing: Sarah Spiers Source: Supplied

WA Police have been forced to hose down rumours of an imminent arrest in the State's biggest unsolved murder case.

In an unusual move this afternoon, Major Crime Squad Detective Superintendent Anthony Lee issued a statement rejecting suggestions an announcement would be made on the Claremont serial killer investigation.

It is the case that continues to haunt the State almost 20 years on, that began with the disappearance of 18-year-old Sarah Spiers from the western suburb on Australia Day 1996.

It was followed by the disappearance of Jane Rimmer, 23, in June that same year.

Ms Spiers' body has never been found, while Ms Rimmer's body was discovered in bushland a month after her disappearance.

Then in March 1997, Ciara Glennon, 27, also vanished after a night out in Claremont. Her body was found in April 1997 in scrubland.

Det. Supt. Lee said there had been talk in the community recently suggesting a significant development in the case, dubbed Macro, or an arrest was imminent.

However, he said those rumours were not correct.

Murdered: Ciara Glennon Source: News Limited

"This type of rumour does not serve to assist the investigation and causes unnecessary distress to the families. We know the investigation generates significant interest and for this reason WA Police are clarifying the situation with the public," he said.

"The investigation remains active and WA Police are committed to resolving these serious crimes."

Anyone with information is asked to phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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Escapee caught in Northbridge

A detainee who led police on major police hunt throughout Perth city centre today after escaping while under the watch of Serco guards has been caught.

Police have recaptured a detainee who escaped Serco custody. He was caught on the corner of William and Newcastle street. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: News Limited

A DETAINEE who led police on major police hunt throughout Perth city centre today after escaping while under the watch of Serco guards has been caught.

Officers arrested the man, who is believed to be Vietnamese, in Northbridge just before 6pm this evening. He had been on the run since 3.45pm after giving the guards the slip from the corner of Pier and Wellington Streets in the Perth CBD.

Police have recaptured a detainee who escaped SERCO custody. He was caught on the corner of William and Newcastle street. Photo by Daniel Wilkins Source: News Limited

Police shut down parts of the city and flooded the streets, checking stores along the shopping strip as well as big department stores such as Myer.

The police helicopter was also brought in to help track the man down who was seen wearing green cargo pants, blue t-shirt and a white bandage on his left hand.

It is not known why the man was in the custody of the Department of Immigration but it is believed he had been treated at Royal Perth Hospital shortly before he escaped.

A WA police spokesman confirmed the man was under the guard of the department and Serco staff.

Police have recaptured a detainee who escaped SERCO custody. He was caught on the corner of William and Newcastle street. Photo by Daniel Wilkins Source: News Limited

Alex Kwon, manager of Sun Cafe on William and Newcastle streets said he saw the man running north along William before police stopped him.

Mr Kwon said it was all over quickly and the man was arrested without any violence.

The latest escape comes just a day after detainees broke out of Yongah Hill Detention Centre in Northam and just over a fortnight after another breakout. Three detainees escaped the Northam detention centre on January 12.

PERTH NOW - Police have recaptured a detainee who escaped SERCO custody. He was caught on the corner of William and Newcastle street. Photo by Daniel Wilkins Source: News Limited

The Sunday Times/PerthNow revealed this week that it took those detainees just 45 seconds to scale the fences at the detention centre using nothing more than padded socks.

Documents leaked by a Serco insider highlighted major security flaws at the WA facility as well as other Australian detention centers.

Sources have confirmed to PerthNow that the man who escaped was under the watch of Serco.

The Immigration Minister Scott Morrison was contacted for comment.

RECENT ESCAPES

January 21 - Four men scale the fence at the Yongah Hill detention centre. They are recaptured within hours.

January 17 - Bradley McIntosh-Narrier escapes from Joondalup Health Campus in a stolen Subaru Liberty after smashing up a bathroom and threatening guards. He was recaptured three days later.

January 12 - Three men take just 45 seconds to break out from Yongah Hill Detention Centre. Two of the Vietnamese detainees were caught, with a third still on the run.

January 3 - Rapist Cameron John Graham and fellow inmate Kelden Edward Fraser kick their way out of a prison van at the Geraldton Airport, as they are transferred back to Perth. They were found at a bush camp near Mullewa, about 450 kilometres north of Perth, 36 hours later.

December 27 - A Vietnamese detainee escapes on his own from the Yongah Hill detention centre.

August 17 - Five detainees escape from the Yongah Hill detention centre after scaling the internal and perimeter fences. All the men were eventually recaptured.

Police have recaptured a detainee who escaped SERCO custody. He was caught on the corner of William and Newcastle street. Photo by Daniel Wilkins Source: News Limited

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Two cops guilty of Spratt Taser assault

Kevin Spratt is relieved that two policemen who repeatedly tasered him in a Perth lockup were today convicted of assault, saying it confirms no one is above the law.

Sgt Aaron Strahan, left, and his colleague Troy Tomlin leave Perth Magistrates Court after being convicted of the tasering assault of Kevin Spratt. Picture: Theo Fakos Source: News Limited

Kevin Spratt who was repeatedly tasered in a Perth lockup. Picture: File image Source: News Limited

KEVIN Spratt is relieved that two policemen who repeatedly tasered him in a Perth lockup were today convicted of assault, saying it confirms "no one is above the law."

Auxiliary officer Troy Gregory Tomlin, 34, was found guilty of all three charges of common assault, while Sergeant Aaron Grant Strahan, 45, was convicted of three of four charges. The fourth common assault charge could not be proven.

Strahan and Tomlin have been on trial for six days, jointly accused of common assault over the tasering of Mr Spratt in the East Perth watch house in September 2008.

CCTV footage showed the senior constables tasering Mr Spratt nine times in just over a minute after he refused to be stripsearched.

In handing down his decision in Perth Magistrates Court this afternoon, Magistrate Richard Bromfield acquitted Strahan of the fourth assault charge because there was insufficient evidence that the Taser actually struck Mr Spratt on that occasion.

He convicted the officers of all other charges, saying there was no reason for self-defence and their actions were "not authorised or justified."

Mr Bromfield will sentence the officers tomorrow morning.

Mr Spratt was not in court today, but in a statement issued after the verdict he said it was a "huge relief that justice has finally been delivered."

"I am pleased that the court has confirmed that no one is above the law and a Taser should only be used as a last resort," he said.

"I am hopeful that today's convictions and the views previously expressed by the CCC will make it less likely others would suffer at the hands of police misusing their power."

Mr Spratt will soon apply to the Attorney-General for an ex-gratia compensation payment. If that is unsuccessful, he will consider launching a civil case against the two officers and possibly others.

The policemen were charged following an inquiry by the Corruption and Crime Commission in a case that made international headlines. In April 2012, the CCC recommended the Director of Public Prosecutions consider laying charges against the pair.

The officers' defence lawyer Karen Vernon has argued for spent convictions and either a good behaviour bond or fines rather than imprisonment.

She said it had been a "long and dark period" for her clients.

Both officers were senior constables at the time, but Strahan has since been promoted to a sergeant while Tomlin has become an auxiliary officer for WA Police.

Ms Vernon submitted Tomlin stepped down from frontline policing over the events in question.

"It seems that for them this is a situation that just continues to play out and play out in the public arena," she said.

Tomlin and Strahan had already been fined $1200 and $750 respectively after an internal WA Police disciplinary hearing and they had suffered personal condemnation and shame, she said.

Ms Vernon also said her clients, who could lose their jobs as a result of the verdict, would seek to apply for a spent conviction as it would dent their employment prospects.

However, state prosecutor James MacTaggart said a spent conviction would "trivialise" the pair's conduct and submitted a "substantial fine" would be appropriate.

During the trial, Ms Vernon argued that Mr Spratt had became uncontrollable and the officers had used justifiable force as Mr Spratt was extremely difficult to restrain.

But Mr MacTaggart said Mr Spratt wasn't posing a threat to anyone.

"To the extent that it's suggested that the application (of the taser) was self-defence ... we say that was not a reasonable response in the circumstances," Mr MacTaggart said.

"On the floor he didn't constitute a threat.

"With so many officers around ... there was simply no need to exercise the taser again."

The court was told that when Tomlin first tasered Mr Spratt he said "give me your hand or you're going to get f...... tasered" before he went on to taser Mr Spratt for three seconds.

After Strahan first tasered Mr Spratt, he then him "do you want to go again? Do you want to go again?" before shocking him for another five seconds.

.

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Sharks exempt from environment laws

FEDERAL Environment Minister Greg Hunt said it was in the "national interest" to exempt WA's plan to bait and kill sharks from national environment law.

Mr Hunt said public safety and the impact on the tourism industry were both "matters of national significance".

On January 6, WA Premier Colin Barnett asked for his plan to deploy up to 72 drum lines 1km off busy beaches be exempt from an obligation for Commonwealth assessment.

Minister for Environment Greg Hunt. Source: News Limited

In his reply, Mr Hunt said it was "an accepted and desirable part of the Australian culture and way of life" that people understand the risk of swimming, surfing and boating in the open seas.

Individuals must take responsibility for their own water safety, he said, adding that diminishing that sense of self responsibility may create "greater risk of misadventure, accident or tragedy".

But he said it was clear that public safety and economic interests "fall within the broader definition of national interest".

Mr Hunt wrote: "One does not have to agree with a policy to accept that a national interest exemption is warranted to protect against imminent threat to life, economic damage and public safety more generally."

Union claims Fisheries officers now at risk

In his reasons for granting exemption, Mr Hunt said "shark strikes" had increased from less than one a year in the mid-1990s to three in each of 2010, 2011 and 2012 and two in 2013.

"This evidence indicates that the number of white shark strikes in Western Australia is increasing over time at a faster rate than population growth though generally the frequency of white shark sightings reduces during the January-April period," he wrote.

There is anecdotal evidence, Mr Hunt adds, that shark attacks are impacting on WA businesses, citing the example of one dive shop which said it had seen a 90% decline in people learning to dive.

He said Australia's beach culture was a strong drawcard for international visitors and a loss of confidence in water-based activities impacts the Australian economy.

Requiring the measure to be assessed by the Commonwealth would delay the deployment of the drum lines until after summer, Mr Hunt added.

The exemption was granted on January 10, but only announced on Monday. Asked to explain the 10-day delay, a spokeswoman said: "The Minister was waiting on final confirmation of arrangements from the West Australian government."

Greens senator Rachel Siewert today said her party would challenge the decision when Parliament resumes.

"The Minister has basically approved the indiscriminate killing of great white sharks. If this is the Abbott Government's benchmark for protection of nationally protected species woe betide Australia," she said.

Greens MLC Lynn MacLaren said official figures show tourism in WA increased last year despite international media coverage of shark attacks.

"We reject the scant evidence provided to Mr Hunt by Premier Barnett which made wild, and we believe, erroneous conclusions about the impact of shark incidents on tourism," she said.

Humane Society International's Alexia Wellbelove said the exemption of the WA shark policy was "a complete disgrace".

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Chopper rescue for stranded family

A dramatic helicopter rescue saved five children and their father, who had been bogged on a remote flooded Western Australian road for nearly four days.

A DRAMATIC helicopter rescue saved five children and their father, who had been bogged on a remote flooded Western Australian road for nearly four days.

Police launched the rescue mission early today, after one man walked more than 50 kilometres to get help, and the children's father swam across a flooded river while carrying a full petrol can in a bid to save himself and the youngsters.

The party, including the children aged between three and 11, were safely flown into Halls Creek after their ordeal, which started in torrential rain on Friday afternoon.

Police said they were delighted to be able to relate a happy ending to the adventure, but also warned the outcome could have been disastrous if not for good planning and a lot of luck.

"We are very lucky that nothing more serious happened to them,'' WA Police Assistant Commissioner Gary Dreibergs said.

A major rescue operation has saved five children and a man who have been stranded in a vehicle near Halls Creek since Friday.

"Everyone is in good health and good spirits, but this is a very good warning. Those roads become extremely dangerous.''

The group were travelling from Darwin to Halls Creek along an unsealed road on Friday when they became stranded by floodwater about 80km from the nearest Aboriginal community.pe

The two adults had both tried to get help - with one man walking about 50km before a passing worker drove him to the Ringer Soak community yesterday afternoon where he raised the alarm.

Police were alerted, and told three days' worth food and water had been in the vehicle when he left on Friday - with one child requiring urgent medication, and two of the other youngsters suffering asthma and needing medication.

A group of children who were stranded for five days in outback WA now are all smiles after they were rescued today.

Early today, emergency services discovered the man who remained with the vehicle - the father of the five children - had himself decided to leave the vehicle and head for help.

He had swum across a river and located staff from a nearby station, then swam back across the river with a petrol can.

He managed to restart his stricken car - but became bogged.

A WA police spokesman said a search plane was sent up at first light this morning and the vehicle was spotted.

A group of children who were stranded for five days in outback WA now are all smiles after they were rescued today.

Two helicopter trips took all seven people to Halls Creek, where they were said to be safe and well.

Police reminded anyone travelling in the area to be aware of potential flooding, and to prepare with food, water, spare tyres, fuel and maps.

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Four Northam escapees caught

Three more asylum seekers have broken out of the Yongah Hill Detention Centre today. Picture: File image Source: News Limited

FOUR more asylum seekers broke out of the Yongah Hill Detention Centre today.

Sources have told PerthNow the four detainees managed to escape by climbing over the fences this afternoon.

Three asylum seekers were caught soon after the escape, while one detainee remained on the run.

However, tonight the remaining escapee was found and is now in police custody.

This is now the fourth successful escape at the Northam facility since August and the third in a month.

It comes after The Sunday Times/PerthNow revealed this week that it took three asylum seekers just 45 seconds to escape from Yongah Hill on January 12 using nothing more than padded socks.

Documents leaked by a Serco insider highlighted major security flaws at the WA facility as well as other Australian detention centres.

According to the confidential information, weaknesses included asylum seekers' access to the internet to book plane tickets or organise getaway cars through friends via social media and even download Google maps to plan their escape routes.

Detainees had become increasingly confident because of the number of successful escapes in recent years, while the voltage on the 3.2m electric fence was not strong enough to actually shock escapees and its design made it easy to climb.

The Serco insider claimed the entire system was "dysfunctional" and that he was speaking out because he was tired of the "incompetence".

"The whole thing is dysfunctional from the top down," he said.

"For instance the Serco immigration contract has had eight escapes since December due to poor leadership and general incompetence.

"Bottom line -there is no training given and everything is about money. Every time we have these incidents the main effort isn't improving but more so passing the buck and looking for someone to blame.

"This occurred in Thailand last year when Serco lost a high risk and dangerous detainee in the Bangkok airport."

The Department of Immigration and Border Protection has been contacted for comment.

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Verdict near in Spratt tasering case

A decision will be handed down tomorrow in the case of two policemen accused of the tasering assault of Kevin Spratt. Picture: File image Source: News Limited

A MAGISTRATE will tomorrow hand down his decision in the case of two policemen charged with assaulting an Aboriginal man by repeatedly tasering him in a lock-up.

Aaron Grant Strahan and Troy Gregory Tomlin have been on trial in Perth Magistrates Court, jointly accused of common assault over the tasering of Kevin Spratt in the East Perth watch house in September 2008.

CCTV footage showed the senior constables tasering Mr Spratt nine times in just over a minute after he refused to be strip-searched.

In her closing address on Monday, defence lawyer Karen Vernon said Mr Spratt had became uncontrollable.

Ms Vernon said he told the accused and two other policemen to "f*** off" and gripped onto the arm of a bench, refusing to let go. After they prised his fingers off the bench, there was a scuffle and Mr Spratt was tasered several times, including while on the floor as officers restrained his arms and legs.

Ms Vernon said the policemen used justifiable force as Mr Spratt was extremely difficult to restrain.

"It was not easy to get hold of Mr Spratt," she said.

"He resisted all of their attempts to restrain him." She also said that on one occasion, Mr Spratt had tried to remove Tomlin's taser from its holster before Strahan fired his device at the prisoner.

But state prosecutor James MacTaggart said Mr Spratt wasn't posing a threat to anyone.

"To the extent that it's suggested that the application (of the taser) was self-defence ... we say that was not a reasonable response in the circumstances," Mr MacTaggart said.

"On the floor he didn't constitute a threat.

"With so many officers around ... there was simply no need to exercise the Taser again." Magistrate Richard Bromfield will hand down his verdict tomorrow afternoon.

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Threats force Fisheries into shark cull plan

Threats to the safety of fishermen being paid to kill sharks for the State Government has forced Premier Colin Barnett to order his own Fisheries officers to carry out the controversial catch and kill policy instead.

The Department of Fisheries will control the shark baiting program in the metropolitan area after threats against a private company forced it to pull out of the tender process. Source: News Limited

Premier Colin Barnett with a hook from a drum line which is to be baited to catch large sharks. Picture: Colin Murty Source: News Limited

THREATS to the safety of fishermen being paid to kill sharks for the State Government has forced Premier Colin Barnett to order his own Fisheries officers to carry out the controversial catch and kill policy instead.

The anger against the WA government's creation of a 1km kill zone full of baited hooks off the coast has become so heated that personal threats have been made towards Fisheries Minister Ken Baston and the firms who tendered for the right to patrol as government ``shark sheriffs''.

The threats were deemed so serious the firm that won the contract to monitor Perth beaches has pulled out and WA Police have been informed.

Mr Baston confirmed today that a government boat staffed with Fisheries officers will do the job instead, to begin within weeks.

However, a private contractor's tender to carry out the baited drum line plan in the South West - where the last shark attack victim was killed in November - has been accepted.

``That particular tender pulled out because of the worry of threats to him and his family, so now we will use the Department of Fisheries to have a boat available and so we are putting that together,'' Mr Baston said.

``I would say that will happen within a matter of weeks.

``Everyone is entitled to peaceful action, but when people make personal threats on people's lives then that is appalling, and that is a police matter.''

The other potential fishermen who applied for the contract were not successful, and would not be offered the contract, Mr Baston said.

Despite the threats, he said fisheries officials were happy to do the work.

``Anyone is worried about a security threat, and of course everyone is taking it seriously,'' Mr Baston said.

Greens MP Lynn MacLaren said she "would not be surprised if there are resignations" from Fisheries staff.

"I guarantee that virtually no one at Fisheries will be happy about this," she said.

"The WA Fisheries Department's mission is to conserve and manage the aquatic resources of WA to ensure there are 'fish for the future' - the shark cull completely contradicts this."

Ms MacLaren said she feared Fisheries resources would be diverted for the cull plan.

The WA shark policy has prompted a furious reaction from environmental activists, who have said they will take direct action against the drumlins, and those who operate them.

Activist Simon Peterffy denied any threats had been made by those in his Marine Response Unit organisation.

``The government has no-one to put these drumlins out in the water for them,'' Mr Peterffy said.

``These campaigns have scared these fishermen, and they don't want to be seen culling these marine animals.''

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Johnson wins Allan Border Medal

Australia's quick Mitchell Johnson can now add an Alan Border medal to his impressive start to 2014, edging out Captain Michael Clarke.

Mitchell Johnson with his wife Jessica Bratich-Johnson. Picture: Phil Hillyard. Source: News Limited

WHEN Mitchell Johnson was at his lowest ebb, he promised himself if he got another chance to play Test cricket, he'd make the most of it.

On Monday night, that promise earned him Australian cricket's highest individual honour - the Allan Border Medal.

Johnson, who took 37 wickets as Australia swept to a 5-0 Ashes whitewash, was stunned when his name was read out. His wife Jessica, with a tear in her eye, hugged him as the 200-strong crowd at Doltone House cheered.

GALLERY: WAGS AND PLAYERS ON THE RED CARPET

GALLERY: MITCHELL JOHNSON'S DREAM NIGHT

Peter Siddle and partner Anna Weatherlake on the red carpet. Picture: Brett Costello Source: News Limited

"I was very surprised and very emotional," Johnson said.

"I guess the emotions flowed from what's happened in the past 12 months and even before that. I guess all the hard work, the blood, sweat and tears you go through, the ups and downs of a professional sportsman, it all just came out tonight.

"I knew if I got the opportunity to play Test cricket again I'd make the most of it. I'm very fortunate to get that chance again."

The terrifying left-arm quick has played just six Tests in the past year, but in five of them he was a genuine matchwinner.

He took man of the series honours as Australia reclaimed the Ashes in the most emphatic of manners and put the world on notice that, at 32, his career is far from over.

He paid the biggest tribute to his wife, who's been by his side throughout his ups and downs.

"She's been through it with me, she's been a huge part of my career so far," said Johnson, who's taken 242 career Test wickets.

Gerard Middleton and Malcolm Conn bring you the latest from the red carpet of the Allan Border Medal.

"She's seen all the bad times and all the doubters. She's been a huge support for me and obviously a very positive support for me as well."

Two years ago, Johnson's career looked over after a troubled tour of South Africa ended with a foot injury.

Johnson didn't feature in Australia's 3-0 Ashes series loss during the English summer earlier in the year.

He forced his way back into Test calculations in the one-day arena - and courtesy of injuries in Australia's fast bowling ranks.

Michael Clarke was widely favoured to win what would have been a record fifth AB Medal.

Clarke polled 156 votes, second to Johnson's 168, while James Faulkner, who has played just the one Test match during the voting period, was the surprise finisher in third.

The Australian captain couldn't have been happier for his teammate.

"I think every single one of the players in the XI that took the field throughout the Ashes deserves a lot of credit, but in saying that Mitchell Johnson certainly deserves the accolades he's receiving and well and truly deserves the Allan Border Medal," Clarke said.

"He was able to bowl the way I personally feel he bowls his best, as an impact bowler, as an X-factor."

Australian captain Michael Clarke and his wife Kyly Clarke. Picture: Brett Costello. Source: News Limited

Johnson is just the third fast bowler to win the award, joining Glenn McGrath (2000) and Brett Lee (2008).

Clarke wasn't left empty-handed, after walking away with the Test player of the year award, finishing above Steve Smith and Chris Rogers.

George Bailey was the runaway winner of the ODI player of the year. He averaged nearly 96 during Australia's series against India and currently has the second-highest average in world cricket.

Faulkner came in second, just ahead of Johnson.

It was a bitter-sweet night for Bailey, who was left out of Australia's Test squad for South Africa.

"It's disappointing not to be going to South Africa but I think I have come to terms with it," Bailey said.

"If you are going to play five Tests over a summer you would pick the five we played. It's been extraordinary."

Meg Lanning, just 21-years-old, won the Belinda Clark medal for the best female cricketer of the year.

Big-hitting Aaron Finch was named the Twenty20 player of the year, in front of Faulkner and Fawad Ahmed.

Other awards of the night went to Victorian Cameron White, who was named the domestic player of the year.

Jordan Silk from Tasmania claimed the Bradman young player of the year.

Relive cricket's night of nights in our live blog below!

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Man jailed over fatal drunken assault

Murdered Mandurah teenager Jessie Cate. Source: News Limited

In the Supreme Court today a 42-year-old man has been jailed for six years and two months over a drunken assault causing the death of the father of murdered teenager Jessie Cate. Source: News Limited

THE family of the father of murdered Mandurah teenager Jessie Cate has called for an end to alcohol-fuelled violence after a man was today jailed over his bashing death.

Timothy John Skipper, 42, was been jailed for six years and two months over a drunken assault that caused the death of Paul Edward Cate, 46.

Cate died after a fight with Skipper at Mr Cate's caravan home near Mandurah on May 31, 2012.

The fight happened a day after Kyle Rohan Garth pleaded guilty to murdering Mr Cate's 15-year-old daughter, Jessie, by strangling her.

The WA Supreme Court heard today that Skipper and Mr Cate had been drinking with friends when Mr Cate touched Skipper's girlfriend on the bottom.

Skipper repeatedly punched Mr Cate and kneed him in the head before the group returned to their drinking, believing Mr Cate had fallen asleep.

When they realised it was more serious, they called for an ambulance and tried to resuscitate him, but Mr Cate died in hospital, the court heard.

Skipper first said Mr Cate fell over and Justice Lindy Jenkins said there was "an element of self-interest" in his failure to mention the fight.

Skipper, who has a criminal record including assault, claimed to not remember details about the fight.

"The simple fact is, if you had not been drinking, if you had not let your anger go, then Mr Cate would be alive today," Justice Jenkins said.

She said the Cate family had endured a "double tragedy" with the death of Jessie and then her father.

"I have seen over the decades too many people losing their lives from thoughtless violence even though there has been no intent to cause significant injury," she said.

Outside court Mr Cate's brother, Shane, called for an end to alcohol-fuelled violence.

He said his brother had unfortunately not had much contact with his daughter before her death.

"Obviously our family has been through an awful lot the last two years," he said.

"I don't think any parent could ever recover from losing their child." He said as a young kid he tended to idolise his brother.

"Deep down, he was a good person and he loved his kids." Skipper must serve four years and two months before being eligible for parole.

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Teen rehab cuts crime

There has been a 53 per cent drop in crime among some of WA's worst young offenders. Source: News Limited

POLICE have described a substantial drop in the amount of crime committed by some of WA's worst young offenders in the past 12 months as "extraordinary".

There has been a 53 per cent drop in crime among 160 of them.

Diverting the teenagers into behaviour management programs has helped, police say.

Youth crime intervention officers, or YCIOs, are placing youths classed as prolific priority offenders (PPOs) and those deemed as "persons of interest" into behaviour management programs offered by government and non-government agencies.

There are 19 YCIOs case-managing 297 youth offenders in WA. Of those, 160 have been placed into behavioural-change programs.

Police figures show that before being placed into the programs those 160 youths had been charged with a total of 1098 offences at a cost of $2.5 million to police.

But since being placed into those programs, the number of offences they've committed decreased 53 per cent to 471.

YCIO co-ordinator Sgt David Johnson said the results were extraordinary.

Acting Inspector Mark Fleskens said: "Besides the cost-benefit, addressing the underlying issues of these young people has now been shown to reduce reoffending.

"This provides PPOs with a better future and is in line with the WA Police crime reduction strategies."

Acting Police Minister John Day said: "The State Government sees this program as a very important initiative in preventing crime in our community. That's why we promised 30 youth crime intervention officers at the last election."

Youth Affairs Council of WA chief executive Craig Comrie said the non-government sector had been calling for a great focus on rehabilitation for young people in the justice system.

"The reality is that the majority of young people who find themselves having contact with the justice system have a range of issues that they're experiencing and often have a history of things like trauma or violence in their family," Mr Comrie said.

"If we don't deal with those issues, we won't make a difference.

"If we just lock young people up, it does nothing to change their behaviour.

"The only known way to change behaviour in this area is through education."

Mr Comrie said there needed to be an inquiry into juvenile justice in Western Australia.

"We invest so much money in locking up young people and we have one of the worst rates of incarceration of young people in the country," he said.

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Gone in 45 secs: Serco insider reveals flaws

IT TOOK three asylum seekers just 45 seconds to escape from Northam detention centre last week using nothing more than padded socks on their hands.

A leaked report into the brazen daylight breakout reveals major security flaws at the WA facility and other Australian detention centres.

It was the third successful escape from the Yongah Hill Detention Centre in five months and yet another embarrassing bungle for the private operator Serco - which manages the country's detention centres, WA's prisoner transport system and our soon-to-be-opened Fiona Stanley Hospital.

Yesterday, police were still trying to locate a dangerous prisoner who escaped from Serco's custody while being treated at Joondalup Health Campus on Friday afternoon.

The Sunday Times can today reveal that one of the Northam escapees had been classified "high risk" after being caught with an "escape tool" in the months leading up to the January 12 breakout.

According to confidential information provided by a Serco insider, a detainee's security risk rating has no bearing on how they are monitored.

The documents also reveal other security weaknesses at detention facilities managed by Serco, including:

■ How asylum seekers have been able to use the internet to book plane tickets or organise getaway cars through friends via social media and even download Google maps to plan their escape routes.

■ Detainees becoming increasingly confident because of the number of escapes in recent years.

■ The lack of penalties means there is no deterrent to escape attempts.

■ Many centres are located in remote areas next to bushland, which means once an escapee has broken out they can disappear almost immediately.

■ The voltage on the 3.2m electric fence at Yongah Hill is not strong enough to shock escapees, and the design of the fence makes it easy to climb.

Detention centre staff at Northam this week threatened to walk off the job unless more employees were hired and their salaries were increased.

The Serco insider claims the security flaws at detention centres were indicative of "dysfunctional" leadership.

"The whole thing is dysfunctional from the top down," he said.

"Bottom line - there is no training given and everything is about money. Every time we have these incidents the main effort isn't improving but more so passing the buck and looking for someone to blame.

"This occurred in Thailand last year when Serco lost a high-risk and dangerous detainee in the Bangkok airport."

The insider said he was speaking out because he was tired of the "incompetence".

While two of the Vietnamese detainees from the January 12 breakout have been caught, one almost immediately and the other the next day, the third still remains at large.

The confidential material reveals concerns about the infrastructure problems at the Northam facility were first raised with the Department of Immigration after a successful escape at the facility last August.

And it warns the ability of detainees to scale the permitter and electric fences in less than a minute meant it would be impossible to stop them without structural changes.

A spokeswoman for Federal Immigration and Border Protection Minister Scott Morrison said the department took any recommendations made after an escape incident seriously and implemented them "if appropriate".

She said under its contract, Serco was fined for breaches, such as escapes.

The Yongah Hill breakout occurred just one week after two prisoners, one a violent rapist, kicked their way out of a prison van at Geraldton airport under Serco's watch.

The bungle sparked a massive manhunt lasting 36 hours.

On Friday afternoon, a dangerous prisoner in Serco's custody escaped through a toilet ceiling while being treated at Joondalup Health Campus.

A discarded Toyota Rav 4 allegedly stolen by the escapee, Bradley McIntosh-Narrier, was found about 7.30am yesterday morning in Balcatta.

This latest Serco incident prompted Opposition Leader Mark McGowan to call for a parliamentary inquiry into the company's contracts with the WA Government.

WA Corrective Services Minister Joe Francis yesterday ordered his department and Serco to provide a car for the woman whose vehicle was stolen by McIntosh-Narrier.

"It was the first thing I thought about," Mr Francis said.

"I told my chief of staff and Serco to sort it out. She is the innocent victim here."

In May, seven Vietnamese detainees held at the Serco-run Scherger detention centre in Queensland managed to break out when they jumped into a car that was allegedly waiting for them.

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