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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