MICHAEL USHER: I’ve seen hard-working, passionate detectives crack the hardest of cases, delivering justice to victims and their families. William Tyrrell needs some of them on the case.
thenightly.com.au
It hasn’t worked, and I’d argue a couple withholding knowledge of a dead child might well have snapped by now. But they haven’t,
and slowly the other charges against them are being fought, won, partially conceded or dismissed. And now the big threat of charges that should have mattered as far as the police are concerned, the ones that relate to William’s disappearance, have been put on ice.
Facts, before we get lost in the spin
FFC, guilty of two counts of common assault of a child, found guilty of intimidation of a child, guilty to fraudulent practice during sale of house to a tribunal. Has had foster child removed from her care.
Initially plead not guilty to fraud, tried to have assault and intimidation charges heard under the mental health act.
MFC, found guilty of intimidation of a child, guilty to fraudulent practice during sale of house to a tribunal.
Initially plead not guilty to fraud, assault and intimidation.
The couple were also fined $1500 each after they had another person place dummy bids at the auction of their Sydney home, which eventually sold for $4.1 million.
Both previously pleaded not guilty to one count of dishonestly obtaining a financial advantage by deception.
She said while the assault charges occurred in the context of disciplining a child, it was “never justifiable”.
The foster mother was sentenced to a 12-month community corrections order, while the foster father was handed a 12-month good behaviour bond.
Asked if she agreed to the terms of the order, the foster mother told the court: “Yes”.
However the fraud charges were withdrawn by prosecutors and the couple both pleaded guilty to regulatory charges.
They both pleaded guilty to procuring a third party to make dummy bids, in contravention of the Property and Stock Agents Act.
Can anyone remember or have a link to the media publishing anything last year or ever about imminent charges going to be laid by police in regards to WT's disappearance? I'd be interested to see that.