Toyota recall over dangerous steering

The Toyota Prius has been hit by another recall, this time over a dangerous steering fault. Picture: David Zalubowski Source: The Daily Telegraph

IN another humiliating setback for the world's biggest carmaker, Toyota has recalled 2.77 million of its most popular cars due to a fault that could result in the loss of steering.

The recall applies to 12,710 Prius models imported to Australia between 2003 and 2009.

Toyota Australia spokesman Mike Breen said continued driving "may cause the shaft to wear out, resulting in loss of control".

He said there had been three reports of related cases in Australia so far, but none had resulted in incidents.

The Prius is affected by an additional recall for a defective water pump.

Last month, Toyota was forced to recall more than 7.4 million vehicles worldwide to fix faulty power window switches.

The auto giant had barely recovered from a record 10 million vehicle pull back in 2009.

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Alleged Dana Vulin attacker denied bail

Dana Vulin suffered serious burns to her face and upper body. Source: PerthNow

A 28-year-old Perth woman accused of setting another woman on fire has been deemed a flight risk and refused bail.

Natalie Dimitrovska is accused of setting Dana Vulin on fire in February and has been charged with grievous bodily harm with intent.

She was arrested at Perth International Airport on February 24 before she could board a flight to Macedonia.

Her lawyer argued in the Perth Magistrates Court today that she was planning to escort her ill father back to Perth, but Magistrate Robert Young rejected the claim.

Ms Vulin is still being treated for her burns and faces more operations.

Dimitrovska was remanded in custody, where she has been for several months, and is due to appear in court again on December 7.

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Violent sex offender jailed for 11 years

JAILED: A violent sex offender who targeted mostly young women has been jailed for nearly 12 years. Source: PerthNow

A VIOLENT sex offender who attacked five women and children has been deemed a danger to society and sentenced to nearly 12 years in prison.

Jason Bradley Pool, a father of two who lived in Western Australia's South-West, pleaded guilty to 15 charges involving victims ranging in age from seven to 37 - mostly young teenagers.

The attacks between 2005 and 2011 included offences of indecent dealings with children, indecent assault, attempted indecent recordings, burglary and aggravated sexual penetration.

Sentencing Pool in the Perth District Court yesterday to 11 years and nine months in jail, Judge Bruce Goetze said the 42-year-old's attacks had escalated in violence over the years.

``You have no respect for the invasion of someone's personal rights and sexual integrity, and you have no respect for the invasion of someone's dwelling in which they're staying,'' he said.

``Put simply, you're a danger to society.''

Details of Pool's crimes recounted in court included cutting a girl's clothes off her body and filming himself molesting her, filming a girl naked in the shower, and taking advantage of children he was babysitting.

``They were in your care for the evening, and one can expect you to have taken care of them and not to have offended in this way,'' Judge Goetze said.

However, he said Pool had shown genuine remorse by pleading guilty.

In a letter, Pool wrote: ``No one deserves to be treated that way. I shocked myself and did not offend again. Four months later I was arrested.''

Noting the victim impact statements, Judge Goetze said some of the victims had severe issues with trust, were still living in fear, felt they were being watched, and needed counselling.

He said one victim even thought she was going to die during Pool's attack on her and another victim no longer felt comfortable in her own home.

Judge Goetze said Pool had shown a ``significant diversity of sexual offending'' and was a high risk of re-offending.

He will be eligible to be considered for parole after serving nine years and nine months in prison. His sentence was backdated to January 31.

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Luke Adams trial: one-punch accused in fight with bouncers

Dylan Winter, 20, accused of one-punch attack on Swans footballer Luke Adams. Piicture: Kerris Berrington Source: PerthNow

Swans footballer Luke Adams arrives at District Court. Picture: Kerris Berrington Source: PerthNow

TWO bouncers have claimed they were both hit during a brawl by the man accused of a one-punch attack on footballer Luke Adams.

Matthew Ryan Lindsay, 20, and Adrian Courtois, 23, were both working at the Library nightclub when a fight broke out between Dylan Gerald Wayne Winter, his friends and security staff from the venue that night.

CCTV footage was played to the District Court today that showed the group being evicted from the club then being caught up in a brawl that broke out minutes later.

Mr Winter has pleaded not guilty to causing grievous bodily harm over the incident on May 1 last year which left Mr Adams in an induced coma for several weeks.

Mr Courtois told the hearing today he was standing at the exit door when he saw one of the evicted men spit into his colleague's face.

The bouncer then pushed the male and a brawl ensued.

Mr Courtois said he then went over to help his colleagues, but slipped over and fell.

It was when he was on the ground that he claimed someone attacked him.

"He was hitting me on the right side on my head," Mr Courtois told the court.

Mr Courtois said he also remembered being kicked and punched in the ribs but later under cross-examination acknowledged parts of his recollection were wrong. He did however insist he remembered being hit at least three times.

During his evidence the court was shown footage of the brawl, which showed Mr Courtois hit Mr Winter during the scuffle.

The 23-year-old later accepted under cross examination that he hit Mr Winter during the brawl.

Earlier Mr Lindsay told the court that he entered the melee at the point he saw Mr Courtois being attacked.

He told the hearing he saw a man punch Mr Courtois in the back of his head with his fist.

When he arrived he said he tried to pull Mr Winter out of the way and restrain him using a bear hug. The pair then collided with a nearby car, a struggle followed and Mr Lindsay claimed Mr Winter then lightly struck him on the left side of his jaw.

Mr Courtois then pulled the accused off Mr Lindsay and the trio dispersed, he added.

Under cross examination, Mr Winter's lawyer Craig Eberhardt suggested to Mr Lindsay that his client did not hit Mr Courtois but tried to fling him away. But Mr Lindsay said his recollection was that Mr Winter had punched his colleague.

A police officer who was nearby at the time of the incident, Constable Megan Want, also later testified that she saw Mr Winter attack a bouncer.

She told the court she was standing outside the Elephant and the Wheelbarrow pub when she saw the melee break out.

She said she saw a male with a grey shirt with rolled up sleeves "forcibly" pull a bouncer to the ground. This man was later identified as Mr Winter.

The trial continues.

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Barnett defends Abbott's Aboriginal quote

Ken Wyatt, Member for Hasluck and first indigenous MP elected to the federal House of Representatives, giving his maiden speech. Picture: Ray Strange Source: The Australian

PREMIER Colin Barnett has defended comments by Federal Opposition leader Tony Abbott in which he described WA Liberal MP Ken Wyatt as an "urban Aboriginal''.

Mr Abbott today said it would be terrific to have an "authentic'' Indigenous representative of central Australia in Canberra, in response to a question about the possibility of Northern Territory minister Alison Anderson switching to Federal politics.

That comment angered some, with accusations Mr Abbott was suggesting Mr Wyatt was somehow not authentic.

Mr Barnett said today he did not think that in praising Ms Anderson, Mr Abbott was in any way diminishing Mr Wyatt's worth.

"I'm not quite sure that Tony Abbott was properly interpreted,'' Mr Barnett said.

"I didn't hear exactly what he said, but can I just say Ken Wyatt is an outstanding person.''

Mr Barnett praised Mr Wyatt for being the first Aboriginal elected to the Federal Lower House.

"I've known Ken for over 20 years. He's a terrific guy, a great leader of Aboriginal people, a great representative of his community,'' the Premier said.

"So I don't think Tony Abbott intended any discounting or diminishing of the stature of Ken Wyatt.''

Mr Wyatt told Fairfax Radio on Wednesday that Mr Abbott's comments were not helpful, but he wanted to move on and get on with his job.

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INXS confirm Perth show was their last

INXS are reportedly breaking up. Picture: Sean Middleton Source: PerthNow

FOOTAGE has emerged of INXS drummer Jon Farriss' speech at the band's concert at Perth Arena on Sunday night, announcing that it was their final performance.

A Mix 94.5 listener known as Mike sent the footage of the announcement, first revealed here on PerthNow, to the radio station.

SEE THE VIDEO ON MIX 94.5 HERE

"Tonight is very likely to probably be the last show we ever do," Farriss said.

"Seriously we kind of kept it under wraps but we wanted to leave it till tonight to let you guys know and Perth is really important to us because we feel very connected to this wonderful city. I'm getting all teared up."

The band also released an official statement confirming the news on Tuesday.

"We understand that this must come as a blow to everybody, but all things must eventually come to an end. We have been performing as a band for 35 years, it's time to step away from the touring arena."

"Our music will of course live on and we will always be a part of that."

"We would like to express our heartfelt thanks to all the friends and family that have supported us throughout our extensive career. Our lives have been enriched by having you all as a part of the journey"

The band, which formed in Sydney in 1977, played at Perth Arena on Sunday night as a support act for American rockers Matchbox Twenty.

INXS has strong roots in Perth after being formed by Farris and his brothers Andrew and Tim, who spent part of their teenage years in WA, and late frontman Michael Hutchence.

The band has performed with several frontmen since the death of Hutchence in 1997, including Jon Stevens and Terence Trent D'Arby. Irishman Ciaran Gribbin has held the role since September 2011. The band's search for a permanent singer was documented in the 2004 reality TV series, Rock Star: INXS which was won by Canadian J.D Fortune.

Fortune tweeted on Monday: "They are my friends and I feel very sad for them. It was an honour to have been a part of the band's history. Love and Mayhem."

The tour was the final leg of their run supporting Matchbox Twenty, leading some to speculate if the band were referring to the end of a tour, not the end of their career and were misquoted.

It is believed the band had scheduled a two year break after the tour, which marked 25 years since their international breakthough Kick was released but decided they would no longer play live before the Matchbox Twenty gigs started.

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Trains between Cannington and Thornlie cut

SERVICES between Cannington and Thornlie train stations have been cancelled this afternoon.

A Public Transport Authority spokesman said a technical issue with a train had halted services on the Thornlie train line between the two stations from about 1.45pm.

He said the problem was minor, and there was a bus that serviced the same route.

Workers are trying to rectify the problem.

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Ultramarathon victims grateful for payment

Burns victim Turia Pitt (and inset, before the race) will receive $450,000 as an 'act of grace' from the state government. Source: Supplied

A $450,000 Act of Grace payment by the State Government will "go a long way" in helping Kimberley Ultramarathon burns victim Turia Pitt with her medical treatment, her lawyer says.

Ms Pitt and Kate Sanderson, who suffered life-threatening burns during last year's ill-fated ultramarathon, will both reveive the payments announced by Tourism Minister Kim Hames in Parliament today.
 
Both woman suffered burns to more than 60 per cent of their bodies when they were trapped in a gorge by a bushfire as they were running in the 100km race in September.
 
Lawyer Greg Walsh, who is representing Ms Pitt and two other men injured in the race, said Ms Pitt was "very appreciative" of the money.
 
"She's a wonderful young woman and she's very appreciative of what the government's done. They didn't have to pay any money so she's positive about it," Mr Walsh told PerthNow.

 
"She's pleased that the government's prepared to pay what she believes is a significant sum of money to help her and it will go a long to helping her in the short-term with her treatment."
 
Mr Walsh said he was still in discussions with the organiser of the event, Racing The Planet, and hoped to come to an out-of-court settlement with the company before Christmas.
 
He said Ms Pitt's ongoing medical costs for her horrific injuries would exceed $3 million.
 
"I'm very hopeful that Racing The Planet will now sit down and try to resolve these matters. It's in their interest to do so and this is the time to do it," he said.
 
"Turia doesn't want to go through all the stress and anxiety of litigation - it would just be horrendous for her."
Tourism Minister Kim Hames today tabled the government's response to an inquiry into the event, which recommended the state consider making ex-gratia payments to the injured competitors.

In handing down the government's response, Dr Hames said the payments would be made to "assist in alleviating their financial stress while they explore other options."

"The terrible tragedy that occurred on September 2, 2011, is something with which we can all empathise, but no one can truly appreciate the pain, suffering and disfigurement that Miss Pitt and Miss Sanderson have endured, and will continue to experience for the remainder of their lives," Dr Hames told Parliament.
"With this in mind, the Western Australian Government will make an act of grace payment of $450,000 each to Miss Pitt and Miss Sanderson under Section 80 of the Financial Management Act 2006.

"The Western Australian Government believes that having regard to the Committee recommendation, the gravity and extent of the injuries suffered by Miss Pitt and Miss Sanderson, and the uncertainty of any other act of legal redress available to them, an act of grace payment is appropriate."

Dr Hames said the Act of Grace payment was not an acceptance of any "legal, causal or moral responsibility" to compensate the athletes.

Michael Hull and Martin Van Der Merwe also received serious burns and required skin grafts, but will not receive compensation as their circumstances were not as "extraordinary", Dr Hames said.

Mr Walsh said his two other clients were not concerned about missing out on the Act of Grace payments.
 
"They were just concerned about whether Turia or Kate got compensation. They're really nice people and they were more concerned about them," he said.
 
Opposition tourism spokeswoman Michelle Roberts said the payment was not enough and she expected the woman to be offered $1 million or more.
"The Government is being very mean-spirited here. Clearly $450,000 won't be adequate," she said.

"I've spoken to a lot of people in the community about this issue. Just about all of them have said to me 'we don't mind our taxpayers' money being used to help these girls get on with their lives."

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Mother killed in freak Mt Lawley accident

Family members console each other at the scene of an accident where a car collided with a pedestrian. PICTURE: Daniel Wilkins Source: PerthNow

A WOMAN has been killed after she was hit by a car in Mt Lawley this afternoon.

The crash happened just after 3.30pm at the intersection of Walcott St and Learoyd St.

It's believed the woman was hit moments after her vehicle collided with another car and she stopped to inspect the damage.

A young boy, thought to be the woman's son, witnessed the crash.

Earlier reports indicated he was also injured but police have since said he was unharmed and taken away from the scene by ambulance.

Walcott St and Learoyd St have been closed and motorists are being asked to avoid the area.

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Heated exchange before alleged one-punch attack on footballer

Swans footballer Luke Adams arrives at District Court. Picture: Kerris Berrington Source: PerthNow

Dylan Winter, 20, accused of one-punch attack on Swans footballer Luke Adams. Piicture: Kerris Berrington Source: PerthNow

BLOOD began pooling around Luke Adams' head moments after it "cracked" against the ground in an alleged one-punch attack, the District Court was told today.

Friend and fellow Swan Districts team mate Travis Gray, 20, told jurors at the trial of Dylan Gerald Wayne Winter that seconds after Mr Adams became caught up in a verbal argument with passers-by, he saw him falling backwards and heard his head hit the ground.

"He was motionless," Mr Gray told the hearing.

"He did not move after he hit the ground. I rushed to his aid to try and protect him. He was already out cold."

Mr Winter, 20, of Port Kennedy, is accused of causing Mr Adams grievous bodily harm over the incident on May 1.

The alleged attack left the promising footballer in an induced coma for several weeks. Mr Winter denies the charge.

The court heard Mr Gray had been out drinking with Mr Adams and a few other friends in Northbridge that night when the incident occurred.

They had been at The Deen nightclub, where they remained until about 1am then left to get pizza and had planned to go to the Capitol nightclub afterwards.

It was as they travelled to the club that Mr Gray said he remembered a verbal argument take place between Mr Adams and a group along Lake Street in Northbridge.

After words were exchanged Mr Gray then said Mr Adams said to him in a "firm" tone: "C'mon Travy, let's go smash these c****."

When asked by Mr Winter's defence lawyer Craig Eberhardt if Mr Adams caused the argument, Mr Gray said he could not remember.

However the 20-year-old did admit under cross examination that he deliberately withheld this information when he gave his first police statement because he did not want people to think Mr Adams started the fight.

When re-examined by prosecutor Amanda Forrester if he thought Mr Adams had started the argument, Mr Gray replied: "I am not sure who started it."

Mr Gray also told the hearing that when the comments were made he was about two metres in front of Mr Adams and was positive no-one else could have heard.

He also said he could not see anyone near Mr Adams when the comments were made nor did he see him being punched.

He only saw him "falling backwards" and went to his aid immediately.

"He was falling backwards with his arms up in the air," Mr Gray told the court. "I heard his head cracking on the ground."

Mr Gray said that when he rushed over to Mr Adams he was also punched in the back of the head however it wasn't hard enough to hurt him.

When he got to Mr Adams he said blood started "pooling" around his head and he went into shock.

A crowd gathered and an ambulance was called.

Mr Gray told the court Mr Adams never regained consciousness.

Earlier the court was shown CCTV footage showing Mr Winter and his friends being kicked out of the Library nightclub then becoming caught up in a scuffle with bouncers.

The footage also showed the group being issued with move-on notices by police just after 2am – about half an hour before the alleged incident with Mr Adams.

Other footage showing Mr Adams leaving The Deen nightclub and staggering down Lake Street was also shown to the jury.

No CCTV captured the alleged incident.

The court was also told Mr Winter, who fled from the scene, texted a friend later that day and told her that Mr Adams was "mouthing off so he got what he deserved".

The trial continues.

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