Jet ski crash leaves 15yo dead, 14yo's arm severed in Sylvania, Sydney
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News.com.au
7 minutes ago
- News.com.au
Kathleen Folbigg to get payout after wrongly convicted of killing children
NSW Attorney-General Michael Daley has decided to make an ex-gratia payment of $2 million to Kathleen Folbigg who was locked up for 20 years after being wrongly convicted of killing her children. The decision follows 'thorough and extensive consideration of the materials and issues raised in Ms Folbigg's application and provided by her legal representatives', a spokeswoman for Mr Daley said. 'The decision has been communicated to Ms Folbigg via her legal representatives,' the statement continued. 'At Ms Folbigg's request, the Attorney-General and Government have agreed to not publicly discuss the details of the decision. 'The Government will not make further comment on this matter.' Ms Folbigg was 35 years old when she was locked up in 2003, wrongly convicted of killing her four babies. The children — Caleb, Patrick, Sarah and Laura — died between 1989 and 1999 at ages ranging from 19 days to 18 months. She was released from prison in June last year after receiving a pardon following an independent inquiry, which heard new scientific evidence that indicated her children may have died from natural causes or a genetic mutation. Ms Folbigg's solicitor, Rhanee Rego, has since issued a statement describing the $2 million payment as 'profoundly unfair and unjust'. Experts had predicted a payment to Ms Folbigg upwards of $10 million. 'The sum offered is a moral affront – woefully inadequate and ethically indefensible,' Ms Rego said. 'The system has failed Kathleen Folbigg once again. Kathleen lost her four children; she lost 20 of the best years of her life; and she continues to feel the lasting effects of this ongoing trauma. 'The payment does not reflect the extent of the pain and suffering Kathleen has endured. This should be about the system recognising the significance of what it did to her.' Ms Rego said an inquiry is urgently needed to understand how the government decided on this figure. 'When Lindy Chamberlain was exonerated in 1994, she received $1.7 million for three years in prison. Kathleen Folbigg spent two decades in prison, yet for her wrongful imprisonment she has been offered $2 million. 'Kathleen Folbigg's fight should be over. After being failed at her conviction and abused in prison, she is now being treated with contempt by the very system that should be making amends.' Ms Folbigg recently described how while she might not be locked in a cell any more, she still carried the shackles of 20 years of incarceration. 'I'm always watching who's coming through the door, who's behind me. I won't say fear, it's not a fear, just a bit of trepidation,' she said during an exclusive interview in Newcastle, the place she calls home. 'And I wait for someone else to open doors. When you're inside, you don't open doors or you cop it from the guards. 'I hadn't opened a door for 20 years, so yeah, I even find myself hesitating at my own doors at home.' 'Then there is the anxiety that comes with meeting new people.'
News.com.au
37 minutes ago
- News.com.au
Police believe they have found the body of Meilee Chen, 68, who went missing three months ago
Police believe they have located the body of a missing Newcastle woman who disappeared three months ago. Meilee Chen, 68, was last seen in the Newcastle area in May, when she could not be located or contacted police were notified and an investigation commenced. Police and SES crews searched Martins Creek in Birmingham Gardens and Jesmond in May and July, but Ms Chen was not located. Police found a body during a search of a property at Birmingham Gardens about 9am on Thursday. The Daily Telegraph reported specialist detectives and forensic officers were at the property investigating the death. A police spokesman said while the body has not yet been formally identified, it is believed to be Ms Chen. 'A report will be prepared for the Coroner,' a spokesman said.
News.com.au
44 minutes ago
- News.com.au
Simon Lara: Notorious ‘fake seizure guy' handed community order for beach act
A 'notorious' man known for faking seizures in public places and asking strangers to sit on him has issued an apology, saying he had no idea of the impact of his actions on a man. Simon Lara, 43, appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Thursday, after pleading guilty to a single charge of public nuisance. Lara had initially been facing a second charge of sexual assault by compelled sexual touching, however the court was told this had been withdrawn. The charge related to an incident on the Bay Trail at Sandridge Beach in Port Melbourne on February 3, 2025. In a statement, the man affected by Lara's actions said the incident had left him feeling shame and humiliation. He told the court he'd moved to Melbourne three years prior from Brisbane and was unfamiliar with 'fake seizure guy' until he'd conducted online research following the beach incident. 'After speaking with friends I was laughed at and ridiculed, they couldn't believe I had never heard of this guy before,' he said. 'Since this incident I am less inclined to help people in public … I'm not willing to assist anyone in public who appears to be distressed or needs help.' The man said he no longer visited the beachfront out of fear of running into Lara or other passers-by who, at the time, thought he was assaulting Lara. Responding to the statement, Lara's lawyer Jamie Bridgland said her client was 'shocked about the significant impact this had on the victim'. 'He is extremely remorseful and wanted to pass onto the victim he is regretful and sorry,' she said. Ms Bridgland noted Lara had 'quite significant vulnerabilities' and had received threats and abuse following online commentary about his actions. Lara was sentenced to an 18-month community corrections order with treatment for his complex mental health needs and judicial monitoring. Handing down the sentence, Magistrate William Parker said he took into account Lara's 'extremely traumatic background' and diagnoses including autism, anxiety and OCD. But Mr Parker noted Lara had a 'poor history' and the offending represented him taking advantage of a good Samaritan just walking in public. 'The purpose of this CCO (community corrections order) and justice plan is so we can break this cycle of you returning to back to court,' he said. 'This is the best chance to move forward.' In Court, Lara said he wanted the prosecution to pass onto the person affected his apologies and that he had 'no idea' of the impact from his actions. 'I'm very shocked … if they want to continue to go to the beach, I'm not going to go there,' he said. Mr Parker responded saying he'd taken those comments as a sincere sign of remorse. 'What would give me great comfort is just don't do it again,' he said.
