14 years for Christmas Island tragedy

JOURNEY TO JAIL: Ali Khorram Heydarkhani was sentenced to 14 years in jail for his role in several people-smuggling voyages, one of which killed 50 people. Source: PerthNow

JOURNEY TO JAIL: Ali Khorram Heydarkhani was sentenced to 14 years in jail for his role in several people-smuggling voyages, one of which killed 50 people. Source: PerthNow

JOURNEY TO JAIL: Ali Khorram Heydarkhani was sentenced to 14 years in jail for his role in several people-smuggling voyages, one of which killed 50 people. Source: PerthNow

Babies and children were among 80 people on an Indonesian fishing boat which crashed into rocks at Christmas island.

AN Iranian-Australian man has been sentenced to 14 years in jail for his role in several people-smuggling voyages, one of which ended in the 2010 Christmas Island tragedy that killed 50 people.

Ali Khorram Heydarkhani, 41, pleaded guilty to two charges of facilitating entry to Australia of five or more people, and two charges of reckless endangerment in the act of facilitating in the Perth District Court today.

Heydarkhani liaised with potential asylum seekers in organising the journeys and arranged the purchase of boats which were unseaworthy and did not contain enough safety equipment.

In some instances, the rotting and vermin-infested vessels did not contain a single lifejacket despite having dozens of asylum seekers on board, including children.

In his representations to potential asylum seekers, he lied about the condition of the vessels, telling some that the boats would be modern and fast, and that they would have their own rooms and food.

The court was told Heydarkhani had helped facilitate an illegal asylum-seeker journey only days after the Christmas Island disaster in December 2010.

Judge Stephen Scott said he did not accept Heydarkhani was genuinely remorseful.

He said Heydarkhani was high up in the Indonesia-based people smuggling syndicate and there was a need to send a clear message that Australian courts handed down severe sentences to such offenders.

"I am satisfied that you played an essential role,'' Judge Scott said.

"You had contact with prospective passengers and misrepresented the state of the boats.''

Judge Scott  also referred to an estimate that more than 1000 asylum seekers have drowned in Australian waters in the past decade.

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Sneak peak at WA's top 50 gold-medal wines

Chief judge Nick Bulleid has his work cut out with another top flight of potential gold-medal reds. Source: PerthNow

Chinese judge Fongyee Walker gets stuck into some wine judging in Mt Barker for the Qantas Wine Show. Source: PerthNow

AS our wine industry prepares to salute the state's best drops at the Qantas Wine Show of WA at the Hyatt this Friday, we can reveal some of the gold-medal winners from the judging in Mt Barker earlier this month.

Judges had their work cut out this year, with more than 1000 wines submitted for entry on the back of another top vintage in the west, with the cabernet, riesling and chardonnay classes particularly strong.

It's not possible for every judge to rate every wine, so they are split into three groups - each panel having two associate judges, a panel leader and two judges scoring around 350 wines over three days.

The state's premier wine show is now in its 35th year and judges the best of WA-grown wines. From only six classes in 1978, the show now includes 42 classes and 17 trophies, including the prestigious best wine of show.

After a class is judged, the panel compares scores and any wine pointed 18.5 or above is re-poured for another tasting and dissection before chief judge Nick Bulleid and the panel decide which win gold.

The whole judging process is neither easy nor that pleasant; swirling, sniffing and spitting 60 cabernets at 8am may sound enticing but teeth go black within hours (and shouldn't be brushed until the next morning) and constant concentration is needed all day.

Luckily experience is always on hand - our panel included James Halliday's right hand man Ben Edwards, 2012 Gourmet Traveller Winemaker of the Year Virginia Willcock from Vasse Felix, riesling maestro Don Young and leading wine critic and judge Peter Forrestal.

* Taste the state's best at the Top 50 Tasting this Thursday, Hyatt Regency, $50. Bookings through wineshowwa.com.au or email suraj.naik@hyatt.com or telephone 9225 1204.

OUR PANEL'S TOP 10 (in no particular order)

Our panel tried only a proportion of the wines but, of the 52 gold medals awarded, we came across 22. Here's our top 10 rated gold medal winners:

2011 Credaro Beach Head Shiraz ($19)
2008 Houghton CW Ferguson Cabernet Sauvignon ($55)
2009 Evans & Tate Frankland River Riesling ($25)
2009 Palandri 3 Oceans Vita Novus Shiraz ($35)
2010 Deep Woods Reserve Cabernet ($45)
2011 Mandoon Old Vine Shiraz ($22)
2007 Houghton CW Ferguson Cabernet Malbec ($55)
2012 Plantagenet Riesling ($25)
2011 Gralyn Estate Reserve Chardonnay ($55)
2012 Larry Cherubino Ad Hoc Riesling ($18)
 

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Corryn's family are biased, Rayney lawyers claim

ON TRIAL: Barrister Lloyd Rayney arrives at court with youngest daughter Sarah. Picture: Kerris Berrington Source: PerthNow

VICTIM: Supreme Court registrar Corryn Rayney, whose body was found in a bush grave in Kings Park in August 2007.  Source: PerthNow

FAMILY members of Supreme Court registrar Corryn Rayney are biased against her estranged husband, barrister and murder accused Lloyd Rayney, Mr Rayney's lawyers have claimed.

As Supreme Court judge Brian Martin, QC, considers his verdict in the long-running trial, Mr Rayney's lawyers have asked him to disregard evidence from some of those closest to his late wife.

In written closing submissions to the court, Mr Rayney's lawyers said there were many examples of Mrs Rayney's sister Sharon Coutinho giving evidence which displayed her ``clear bias'' against Mr Rayney.

In particular, they said Mrs Coutinho had testified that when Mr Rayney telephoned her on August 8, 2007 to tell her Mrs Rayney was missing she ``honestly felt, that he had done something.''

"This evidence was inadmissable and was not in answer to the question,'' Mr Rayney's lawyers told Justice Martin in a written submission which was released today.

Mr Rayney's lawyers also said Mrs Coutinho's husband Rohan ``volunteered a great deal of evidence about Mr Rayney's use and experience with lifting weights in answer to a question that was completely unrelated to the question asked''.

Mr Rayney's lawyers said both Mr and Mrs Coutinho had told the court that Mr Rayney gave the same speech at his wife's funeral as he did at their wedding.

But they said the two speeches only had three matters in common _ when Mr Rayney told of how he first met his wife, of their first date and why he was initially attracted to her.

Mr Rayney has been on trial for more than three months charged with wilfully murdering Mrs Rayney on or about August 7, 2007. He also faces an alternative charge of manslaughter.

Justice Martin will hand down his verdict on November 1.

Both charges carry jail terms if convicted. Wilful murder carries a maximum term of life imprisonment and manslaughter, a maximum penalty of 20 years jail.

In their summing up, Mr Rayney's lawyers said the evidence of Mrs Rayney's father Ernest da Silva was also inconsistent with Mr Rayney's actions following his wife's disappearance.

"The evidence of Ernest da Silva that Mr Rayney could not look at him is inconsistent with the evidence that Mr Rayney asked him to attend the Kensington Police Station to assist with the making of a missing persons report,'' they said.

Mr Rayney's lawyers said the evidence from Mrs Rayney's cousin Kevin da Silva, who lives in Canada, was "ludicrous''.

Mr da Silva testified via video link that Mr Rayney had told him he had a brown belt in karate. He said he had also witnessed Mr Rayney adeptly lifting heavy weights in the gym.

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Pamela Stephenson bares all to Perth fans

MY STORY: Pamela Stephenson prepares to address her audience in Perth today. Picture: Richard Polden Source: PerthNow

DANCE FAN: Pamela Stephenson on hit British reality TV show, Strictly Come Dancing. Picture: Michelle Moore/WireImage Source: Supplied

PAMELA Stephenson has told a Perth audience that the key to a long and happy marriage - she's been married to Billy Connolly for 33 years - is to spend time apart.

The comedian/actress/psychologist/author/mother of three and ballroom dancer - who has spent much of her time in Perth with fellow "lamazouk'' dancers at a venue in Cottesloe -  told 90 guests at a literary luncheon at the  that her marriage has remained strong because she and Connolly have been busy with careers that involve travelling independently.

When asked by someone in the audience for marital advice, she said her own experience was that it was "good to have break from each other and be free to do your own thing''.

"Travelling separately is one of the ways we've been going strong for so many years,'' she said.

Stephenson revealed that Connolly brashly warned her not to take part in British TV's Strictly Come Dancing (the UK version of Dancing with the Stars) because she would "make an arse of yourself''.

She went on to become a finalist in the reality series and her new-found passion for dancing has grown ever since. So much so that her Perth appearance at the Parmelia Hilton featured some impromptu moves.

In a surprise for guests, 20 dancers dressed as businessmen "stormed'' the luncheon - moving furniture and dancing wildly midway through her address.

"Pamela's a passionate dancer so we put on an impromptu dance session,'' publicist Carol Warwick explained.

In promoting her new book The Varnished Untruth - My Story, Stephenson reflected on her difficult childhood - she was kicked out of home at 15 and was blamed by her father for a fatal car accident (she wasn't the driver) - and recounted how she and Connolly "saved" one and other, having both come from troubled pasts.

"You could say we were joined at the wound'' she said.

Stephenson told the audience that when she lost her virginity as a teenager,  "I suppose it was rape. My father told me 'You are no longer my daughter' and kicked me out''.

This recently publicised chapter of her life led to her living for short time on the streets before being sent by her parents to a refuge.
 
Stephenson's Perth appearance was the last in a national tour which started in Brisbane on October 10.

She's heading home to Britain "for a rest" before resuming a new series of Shrink Rap, an offbeat TV series which will feature interviews with Robin Williams, Stephen Fry and Joan Rivers.

The Varnished Untruth - My Story, published by Simon and Schuster, is out now, rrp $29.

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Freo holiday maker 'left dog to die'

A FREMANTLE man has been charged with animal cruelty after allegedly leaving his dog to die while he went on holiday.

The 46-year-old will appear in Fremantle Magistrates Court tomorrow to face the charge.

It will be alleged that RSPCA inspectors went to his property on January 18 after receiving a complaint about an animal in distress.

They found Bessie, a blue heeler, lying on its side under a tree.

The animal appeared to be gasping for breath with dilated pupils and bright red gums.

The inspectors tried to contact the owner and later found out that he had gone away on holidays.

It was revealed the dog had cancer.

When an RSPCA inspector made contact with the owner later that month, he allegedly told them he had left water and a bone for the dog and had expected the dog to be dead by the time he returned.

He allegedly claimed it would have stressed the dog out to take it to the vet.

A veterinary examination determined Bessie was suffering from a state of infectious shock and she was euthanised.

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WA man fights for life after nightclub attack

A NIGHTCLUB confrontation spilled over into violence which has left a man fighting for his life.

The victim was attacked in Mildura after earlier being involved in an altercation at a venue.

He was knocked to the ground at the corner of Gallaghers Lane and Pine Ave at 2.50am.

The man, from Perth, was taken by air ambulance to The Alfred hospital in Melbourne.

Detectives from Mildura CIU have appealed for witnesses or anyone else with information to come forward.

Anyone able to help can call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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Tagged great white hanging around

SIGHTED: A large great white shark has been detected off Ocean Reef beach this morning, closing several northern beaches. Source: PerthNow

SEVERAL northern beaches were closed this morning after a tagged great white shark was detected off Ocean Reef several times, the most recent just before midday.

The tagged great white was first detected at 9am and again at 11.52am off Ocean Reef.

Surfers also reported seeing a large shark about 200m off the Ocean Reef beach at 9am and again at 9.30am.

Nearby Mullaloo Beach was also cleared with hundreds of junior lifesavers ordered out of the water after the shark sighting.

North Mullaloo Beach remained closed, by an order from the City of Joondalup rangers.

Earlier today, at 7am, there was another report of a 3m to 4m great white shark 100m off the beach at Searbird, 100km  north of Perth.

A 4m-5m great white was spotted off Busselton Jetty about 9.30pm on Friday night.  

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One devil captured, two still loose

ONE DOWN: One of three Tasmanian devils which escaped from Peel Zoo has been recaptured, but two remain on the loose. Source: PerthNow

Three Tasmanian Devils have escaped from a Peel Zoo after their enclosure was damaged.

ONE of three Tasmanian devils on the loose in rural Western Australia has been found.

The four-month-old male devils - Itchy, Scratchy and Genghis - escaped from Peel Zoo, on the outskirts of Pinjarra, south of Perth, after a tree smashed their enclosure on Tuesday.

Zoo owner David Cobbold said Scratchy was found at about 3am today but the other two hand-reared animals remained on the loose.

Mr Cobbold said two men chased Scratchy through the bush and trapped the animal against a fence before wrapping it in a towel.

They then secured it in their bathroom, but Scratchy clawed its way through part of the plasterboard wall.

Mr Cobbold thanked the men but said people should not try to handle the animals themselves.

``The capture proved devils aren't as dangerous as their reputation suggested,'' he said.

``The name is more about the noise than the behaviour.''

Mr Cobbold has urged members of the public who see the remaining two devils to call him on 0400 788 289.

A truckdriver reported seeing "little bears'' crossing South West Highway near Pinjarra on Friday and paw prints were found around the town's golf course.

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Locals fight back against beach violence

A 15yo has been charged after a brawl involving about 20 African youths on the Scarborough beachfront yesterday.

BEACH ACTION: Residents gathered at Scarborough Beach to voice their opposition to violence at the beach. Picture: Marie Nirme Source: PerthNow

ON THE BEAT: Police patrol Scarborough Beach as residents protest recent violence. Picture: Marie Nirme Source: PerthNow

TROUBLE: The first hot day of October, a holiday Monday, sparked violence at Scarborough Beach. Picture: Nine News Source: PerthNow

SIGN OF THE TIMES: A resident holds a placard outlining recent problems. Picture:  Marie Nirme
Source: PerthNow

SCARBOROUGH locals are fighting back against recent alcohol fuelled violence which has plagued the beachfront suburb.

Some residents revealed today that they are too scared to go to the beach on hot days because they fear they will be assaulted by drunken thugs.

A community crime forum on the beachfront this morning, organised by City of Stirling councillors Jason Robbins and Bill Stewart, saw about 80 local residents descend on the beach keen to voice their concerns and ideas following a string of drunken and violent incidents at the beach in the past few months.

Among the incidents to hit the headlines recently have been several brawls involving dozens of drunken youths, while two men aged in their 30s were attacked with bricks and bottles by a gang of thugs just 12 days ago.

Mr Robbins told those at the forum that the time had come for action to rid the area of violent and drunken thugs.

"We hear the same spin from the same spin doctors…we are sick of the spin, we want some action," Mr Robbins said.

"We need to send a strong message…making it clear to the thugs they are not wanted."

Mr Robbins flagged a number of ideas at the forum including a proposed police post at the beach over the summer months in an effort to deter trouble makers to the area.

Mr Robbins said police officers needed to be seen enforcing the law to the full extent to those who break it.

"We need to be decisive and we need to be consistent and they (the thugs) need to learn that they are not going to come down here and cause problems for the rest of us because we are here to have a swim and enjoy the peaceful environment," he said.

"Let them (the police) enforce the law by confiscating alcohol…(that) in turn will build trust and confidence in the area."

Married couple Kellie and Josh Bannister and their baby son Taj were among those at today's community forum.

They have lived in Scarborough for the past two years and said they no longer felt safe going to the beach on hot days.

"We are sick of it, we just won't come down here on a hot Saturday afternoon anymore, it's just too dangerous," Mrs Bannister said.

"You can't even come down here for fish and chips…we just want it to stop, enough is enough."

Martin Symes, 36, was one of the two men attacked with bricks and bottles at the Scarborough beachfront 12 days ago.

He needed seven staples to his head after being struck with a brick and counts himself lucky to be alive.

He too attended the forum this morning along with his mate who was also assaulted.

"We just want to put a stop to the whole summer time, weekend violence that comes to Scarborough," Mr Symes said.

"We are aware that we have to share our beach and we generally do but we don't need the trouble out of it."

My Symes welcomed the idea of a police post at the beach this summer.

"I think the (police) presence would help but I think they've got to be seen to be actually policing, patrolling and making arrests and showing people that you can't get away with it," he said.

Latest police figures show there were 100 non-aggravated sexual assaults, aggravated sexual assaults, non-aggravated assaults and aggravated assaults in Scarborough between January and September this year.

That compares to just 18 in the nearby coastal suburbs of Cottesloe and nine in City Beach.

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Miss Universe hopefuls strut their wares

FAMILY BEAUTY: Miss Universe Australia 2012 Renae Ayris with her sister Rachel Ayris. PIcture:  Marie Nirme Source: PerthNow

IN IT TO WIN IT: A Miss Universe WA hopeful struts her stuff. Picture: Marie Nirme Source: PerthNow

FAMILY BEAUTY: Miss Universe Australia 2012 Renae Ayris with her sister Rachel Ayris. PIcture:  Marie Nirme Source: PerthNow

IN IT TO WIN IT: A Miss Universe WA hopeful struts her stuff. Picture: Marie Nirme Source: PerthNow

IN IT TO WIN IT: A Miss Universe WA hopeful struts her stuff. Picture: Marie Nirme Source: PerthNow

IN IT TO WIN IT: A Miss Universe WA hopeful struts her stuff. Picture: Marie Nirme Source: PerthNow

IN IT TO WIN IT: A Miss Universe WA hopeful struts her stuff. Picture: Marie Nirme Source: PerthNow

DOZENS of WA beauties flooded the Perth CBD today for their chance to become the next Miss Universe.

Hundreds of young women from all over WA descended on the Murray Street mall this afternoon under a warm and sunny sky for the 2013 Miss Universe Australia registration day.

After strutting their stuff on the stage in front of a large crowd, including current Miss Universe Australia and Perth girl Renae Ayris, today's bevy of beautiful contenders were whittled down to a group of just 60 who will now go on to compete in a series of WA heats, from which a select group of finalists will be chosen to compete in the state final.

From there, six WA girls will be announced as the 2013 winners.

They will go on to compete for the Miss Universe Australia crown next year, the winner of whom will represent Australia at the prestigious international event.

Western Australia has produced the last two Miss Universe Australia winners.

Connolly woman Renae Ayris will represent Australia in the Miss Universe final in Las Vegas in December.

Scherri-Lee Biggs, also from WA, placed in the top 10 of the Miss Universe contest when she represented Australia in the 2011 competition.
 

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