Perth husband betrayed by Chinese wife

A Perth man was betrayed by his Chinese wife who left him weeks after gaining permanent residency. Picture: AFP Source: PerthNow

A PERTH man, left betrayed and with sexually transmitted diseases, is warning others not to fall for the same tricks he did.

In April 2010, someone he now knows as the "madam" of a brothel introduced him to a Chinese woman, whom he married later that year.

On New Year's Eve in 2012, less than three weeks after she gained permanent Australian residency, she left him - with genital warts and herpes.

It was then the signs fell into place: her ready cash, her late nights "at the casino" , her two mobile phones and her "friendship" with the madam, who once lent her $2700 for one visa application.

"I obviously had feelings for the woman, and turned a blind eye to a lot of things," he said.

The man's screens for other diseases came back clear, but the HIV test result will take several weeks.

Read more about this story at inmycommunity.com.au

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Mercedes Corby bashed by five men

The sister of Schapelle Corby has left hospital after being treated for an assault in Bali. Courtesy: Nine News

• Suffered a broken nose and bleeding in one eye
• Has undergone surgery to repair damage to her nose
• She has left the Kasih Ibu hospital in Denpasar

MORE details have emerged about Schapelle Corby's sister Mercedes who was mugged and brutally assaulted by a group of men trying to rob her of her handbag in Kuta, Bali.

Mercedes told News Ltd from her hospital room in Denpasar that she was mugged for her handbag in a robbery believed to involve five people.

"It was a mugging for my handbag," Mercedes said. "I'm on the mend," she said.

Mercedes, 39, suffered a severely broken nose and bleeding in one eye when she was assaulted by the group of Indonesian men as they tried to snatch her handbag in a Kuta street.

According to Kuta police, Mercedes' husband, Wayan Widiartha, made a police report about the attack on his wife to the Kuta station on Saturday morning.

But that initial version did not contain any allegations that Mercedes had been the victim of an attempted bag snatch or robbery.

Police sources said Mr Widiartha had reported that his wife was on the way home from a birthday party at 12.30am on Saturday when she heard some people making derogatory comments about her in the  Balinese language which she understood.

Police said Mr Widiartha told them that at this time she stopped to argue with them and was punched and injured. The incident occurred in Poppies Lane 11 in Kuta, a busy sideroad off the main street of Jalan Legian.

Police said that they had not heard, except from the media, about the claims that men had tried to rob Mercedes of her handbag.

They have yet to formerly interview and take a statement from Mercedes, saying they are waiting until she is well enough.

Wayan said his wife was resting inside and he denied suggestions that the couple has split up.

Mercedes Corby and her Balinese husband Wayan Widiartha pictured at Kasih Ibu Hospital in Denpasar today.

Staff say that she arrived at the hospital suffering a broken nose.

She has since had surgery to repair her severely broken nose. Mercedes earlier today left the Kasih Ibu hospital in Denpasar, Bali's capital, where she had been staying in a private room.

Mercedes' Balinese husband Wayan Widiartha and her two children are currently at the hospital visiting her and it is believed she may be discharged today.

Mr Widiartha confirmed his wife was robbed by seven people in Kuta and that she was injured while trying to fight them off and stop them from stealing her handbag.

Mercedes Corby's text message confirming the assault.

He said the incident happened just as Mercedes was getting on her motorbike and the Indonesian men had tried to steal her handbag.

He said his wife, who had a black belt, had fought back and was then helped by a friend.

An angry Mr Widiartha said Kuta was becoming dangerous and needed to be cleaned up.

Mr Widiartha also denied rumours that he and Mercedes have split up, a move that could put Schapelle's parole bid in danger.

Mercedes Corby suffers broken nose during attack by bag snatchers on a Bali street. Courtesy of Nine News.

"We are still together. We are still in love," he told News Ltd from his central Kuta home this afternoon.

Mr Widiartha said his wife was inside their home, resting, after being discharged from hospital.

A hospital staff member earlier told news.com.au Mercedes had been initially expected to stay for up to four days.

"She is OK," she said. "We've already operated.

Mercedes Corby's husband Wayan Widiartha seen today at Kasih Ibu Hospital in Denpasar with their children.

"Some of the family (is here)."

Mercedes's mother Rosleigh Rose confirmed the incident to news.com.au, but said her daughter wanted privacy.

"She's asked for privacy at the moment. I can't say any more," she told news.com.au. "I'll just get upset. I don't want to talk about it."

Mercedes lives in a traditional Balinese compound home in central Kuta with her two children and her husband.

Mercedes has been living in central Kuta since her younger sister was arrested and jailed in 2005 for smuggling 4.2 kilograms marijuana into Bali inside a body board bag.

In recent months she has been fighting for Schapelle, 36, who has always claimed she is innocent and was set up by a smuggling ring,  to be released on parole and either allowed to live with her in Bali or return to Australia.

Sources close to the family vigorously denied reports today that Mercedes and her husband had separated, which would place Schapelle's parole bid in doubt.

Reports today claimed Mr Widiartha had not lived in the family compound in Kuta for some months and was living elsewhere.

An important part of Schapelle Corby's parole bid, under intricate Indonesian parole laws, is the promise that she could live with Mercedes and Mr Widiartha if released.

The couple would help her financially, with her "morale" and oversee her education as "a responsible citizen".

Sources said the couple have not split, but had rented a second property in Kuta because they needed more space.

Their original family compound had become too well-known and their neighbours were angry that it was the centre of attention, the sources said.

Muggings of tourists have become common in Kuta and sources close to the family said the incident had nothing to do with Schapelle.

The gang did not manage to take her handbag.

According to one Australian man who says he witnessed the event in Bali,  "she had blood all over her face and her eyes were closed". 

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Southern Cross at hoax inquest

A student of a nursing college places a candle in front of a picture depicting nurse Jacintha Saldanha, during a candle-lit vigil organized by a local politician in Bangalore, India. An inquest into the apparent suicide of Saldanha, who was duped by a hoax call from Australian DJs about the pregnant Duchess of Cambridge, heard she had left three notes. AP /Aijaz Rahi Source: AP

THE radio broadcaster involved in the royal hoax call that tricked a nurse days before she took her own life will be a party to her inquest amid accusations the prank contributed to her death.

Mother of two Jacintha Saldanha was found hanged in her apartment in the nurses' quarters in central London last December, three days after unwittingly putting 2Day-FM DJ's posing as royal family members through to the hospital ward where the Duchess of Cambridge was recovering from severe morning sickness.

Yesterday at the reopening of the inquest at Westminster's Coroner's Court, Southern Cross Media applied to be a party to proceedings with the media group's lawyer Maya Sikand saying the hoax may have had "perceived consequences".

Ms Sikand said her clients had apologised for the "unforeseen and totally unintended consequences" of their actions and subsequent death but she was "dancing in the dark" in terms of how their involvement will materialise and likely witnesses to be called but recognised there was great public anger at her clients for the tragedy.

She also said it could be Southern Cross could assist in recommendations for future in terms of "lessons learnt".

Their inclusion into the proceedings, which will start proper on May 2 and is set down for two days, were granted.

The 46-year-old Ms Saldanha's husband Benedict Barboza, 49 and their children Junal, 16 and 14-year-old Lisha were present in court.

Their legal representative John Cooper QC did not object to Southern Cross being party to the hearing since he said the radio station had claimed it had contacted the hospital "four or five times" to seek permission to broadcast the hoax but the hospital had been adamant that no call was received.

He said those facts were likely to be in dispute.

Mr Cooper also asked whether Ms Sikand would be representing the two DJs behind the hoax Mel Greig and Michael Christian, who posed as the Queen and Prince Charles when they rang the King Edward Hospital.

Mr Cooper also indicated he would be asking how it was Ms Saldanha came to be working effectively as a receptionist and whether that was in her contract

Coroner Dr Fiona Wilcox abruptly adjourned the hearing for the two lawyers and two others representing the hospital and the police service to meet immediately in her chambers for a discussion.

After proceedings continued sometime later, Dr Wilcox said there would be four witnesses including the duty nurse, whose name is suppressed, and the hospital's boss John Lofthouse.

She also indicated her hearing would not be a "court of adversity" but a court of inquiry to allow a cause of death to be recorded and not other issues.

Outside court, family spokesman Keith Vaz said the inquest would mark the beginning of the end of the case.

He said the family was still suffering from the loss of their beloved mother and wife and the weeks before the inquest would be hard, not least of all because the two children had crucial exams to prepare for.

He said last Sunday would have been Ms Saldanha's 47th birthday.

He said the family specifically wanted him to thank the police for their thorough investigation and the media for respecting their privacy in this difficult time.

The duchess' hospitalisation with acute morning sickness last December made headlines around the world with details of how husband Prince William rushed her to hospital after a weekend away with her parents when she could not stop throwing up.

The dash to King Edward VII Hospital then forced the palace to prematurely reveal the duchess was pregnant.

Jacintha Saldanha's family arrive at Westminster Coroners Court for the inquest into her death. Picture: Charles Miranda

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Ellen wants to call Australia home

Ellen and Portia talk to Tracy Grimshaw of A Current Affair at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Melbourne. Vision courtesy of Nine.

• Star says she could imagine herself living in Australia
• The welcome from fans has been overwhelming
• VIPs attend the black-tie cocktail in Melbourne

TV STAR Ellen DeGeneres said she could imagine living in Australia one day as she and wife Portia de Rossi attended an exclusive cocktail party in Melbourne.

"I shouldn't put it out there, but I can see us living here one day,"she told the crowd at the Grand Hyatt Hotel where 300 VIPs graced the red carpet for the black-tie event hosted by Premier Denis Napthine.

"Not for a while as I've got shows to do, but I can see it happening,"  she said. "This is the most incredible trip, I will never forget it."

The event featured prominent business, entertainment and sporting figures including Qantas CEO Alan Joyce, Sonia Kruger, John Bertrand, Shane Jacobson, Magda Szubanski, Lisa Wilkinson, Hawthorn footballer Josh Gibson and many more.

Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi pictured on the red carpet at the Grand Hyatt. Picture:  Julie Kiriacoudis

Ms DeGeneres was asked her thoughts on host Premier Napthine who earlier today told 3AW he didn't support gay marriage.

"There are people who don't support it and people who do, politicians or not it doesn't make me judge them, as a human being," she said.

"That's his opinion, I obviously think he is wrong, but he will come around," she added.

The Premier welcomed DeGeneres at the cocktail party, telling the audience he admired her style.

Brynne Edelsten was among the VIP crowd at the cocktail party. Picture:Julie  Kiriacoudis

"I am a great fan. I remember watching your show Ellen and thought it was one of the best shows of its time,"Napthine said.

He also made reference to Portia and said the people of Geelong wanted to say a special hello.

"I was in Geelong yesterday and the people of Grovedale wanted to say hello," he said.

Ms De Rossi said next time she arrives she definitely would take Ellen to her home town of Geelong.

Magda Szubanski also made an appearance at the black-tie event. Picture: Julie Kiriacoudis

Ms DeGeneres also said she has been humbled by the support her Australians fans have shown, despite her recent illness which initially forced her to postpone her trip.

"I was supposed to be here early so thank you , I got a bit sick," she said.  "I'm back and I'm healthy."

"I've wanted to come to Australia for a long long time, before meeting Portia."

Swisse boss Radek Sali praised Ms DeGeneres after her performance in front of thousands of fans at Birrarung Marr.

"I don't know how you have the energy, I'm fried from sitting in the front row," he said.

Ms DeGeneres said the support has been incredible in Australia, and she promised to return.

"We will be back," she said.

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Freed hostage bans wife from seeing him

Australian former soldier Warren Rodwell thanks Philippine officials, friends and family for their help in his release after being held hostage by Abu Sayyaf militants for 15 months. Jessica Gray reports.

Miraflor Gutang wife of Warren Rodwell. Photo: Supplied Source: Supplied

Australian hostage Warren Rodwell recovers after being released by militants following 15 months in captivity. Picture: AP Source: AP

THE Filipino wife of freed hostage Warren Rodwell - who claimed she had to sell her house to help pay his $94,000 ransom - has been blocked from seeing her estranged husband.

It has emerged that Miraflor Gutang, who was married to Mr Rodwell soon before he went missing, has fled her Mindanao home to seek refuge with family after Mr Rodwell reportedly denied a request to see her.

Ms Gutang, 29, could not be contacted yesterday for comment and sources reported that she was hiding out in Naga City.

The pair is believed to have fallen out before Mr Rodwell was kidnapped and the couple has not spoken to each other since Rodwell was released on Saturday.

Warren Rodwell is released in Pagadian City in the southern Philippines, 15 months after he was taken captive by rebels from the Abu Sayyaf group.

News Limited can also reveal that Filipino investigators and senior officials are looking into the possibility that the high-profile al-Qaida linked group Abu Sayyaf was not involved in Mr Rodwell's 15-month kidnapping ordeal.

Mr Rodwell, who is still recovering from emaciation, has already undergone questioning by detectives from the anti-kidnapping unit who were keen to talk with him as soon as possible about any clues he could provide.

ADFAT spokesman last night said there had been "various claims" about who was responsible for the kidnapping, which had been picked up by media outlets.

Kidnapped man Warren Rodwell has offered his heartfelt thanks to Australian and Filipino authorities.

"The kidnappers made every effort to hide their real identities ... we cannot be certain of the accuracies of these public claims (by the group responsible)," he said.

It is believed that other splinter Islamic groups or opportunistic locals could have targetted Mr Rodwell and this is being investigated by senior Filipino police led by Senior Superintendent Renato Gumban.

DFAT said it would continue to support Mr Rodwell, 54, as he recovers his strength.

They will also provide ongoing assistance for his sister Denise and brother Wayne - who helped co-ordinate and put up the ransom money.

The family of freed Australian hostage Warren Rodwell have thanked Philippine and Australian authorities.

The former Australian soldier could remain in Manila for up to two weeks depending on his health and the Philippines' famous Easter week celebrations - where major government departments and stores across the country shutdown - are also likely to cause some delay.

Sources said Mr Rodwell - who is staying at an undisclosed location - was keen to get back to Australia as soon as possible after his ordeal.

His captors had initially threatened to kill him unless a $US2 million ($1.93) ransom was paid.

Through a strategy of using Mr Rodwell's wife Miraflor as a front for negotiations, the ransom was eventually settled for $94,000 in a deal brokered by Al-Rasheed Sakalahul, the vice-governor of the southern Philippine province of Basilan.

On the weekend, Ms Gutang claimed she had to sell her home, a water filling station and a vehicle to help fund Mr Rodwell's ransom.

Australian hostage Warren Rodwell (C) who was recently released talks arrives at the Manila International Airport in Manila on March 25, 2013. Australian Warren Rodwell said on March 25 he was overwhelmed, happy and thankful at finally being free after 15 months as a hostage of Islamic militants in the southern Philippines. AFP PHOTO/NOEL CELIS Source: AFP

It is believed that Mr Rodwell's Australian based family provided the bulk of the funds.

Mr Rodwell was released by his captorsnear Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur on the weekend.

He was put in a boat in the early hours of the morning and had to paddle his own way to shore.

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Car stealer 'shot over drug debt'

Damien Phillip Mathews and Hayden Shane Wayne Joseph are on trial in the Supreme Court for the murder of Jeremia Iskander, 21, who was shot in the chest at close range in December 2011. Source: Supplied

A STAND-OFF between two former friends after a $20,000 car was stolen to settle a drug debt ended in the murder of one of them, the WA Supreme Court has heard.

Damien Phillip Mathews and Hayden Shane Wayne Joseph are on trial for the murder of Jeremia Iskander, 21, who was was shot in the chest at close range on December 2, 2011.

Prosecutor Amanda Forrester said in her opening address on Monday that Mathews had fired the fatal shot, but Joseph was involved in its planning and was therefore equally culpable.

The court heard Mr Iskander had been friends with Joseph for several years but they had fallen out because Joseph owed him money.

Ms Forrester said Joseph's car was stolen on November 13 to force him to pay his debt to Mr Iskander.

She said Joseph believed Mr Iskander was driving the car and doing burnouts, "rubbing his nose" in his loss.

The court heard Joseph and Mathews confronted Mr Iskander in a driveway and the three men, as well as a woman who accompanied the accused men, had an argument.

Mr Iskander accused Joseph of wanting to fight only when other people were around and said he would rather have a "one-on-one" with Joseph, Ms Forrester said.

Instead, Mathews shot Mr Iskander in the chest and the accused men fled, she said.

An ambulance took Mr Iskander to Joondalup Health Campus, where he died.

In the lead-up to the murder and the hours after it, Joseph sent many text messages to friends, indicating in one message that he was responsible for Mr Iskander's death, Ms Forrester said.

Joseph and Mathews set fire to the car to destroy evidence and went missing for nine days until they finally turned themselves in, she said.

Police say they found four unfired bullets in the driveway that the prosecution claims came from the gun used in the killing, but no weapon has ever been found.

The defence team has not yet made its opening address.

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Woman teacher 'had sex with boy student'

A WA female teacher has been charged over allegedly starting a sexual relationship with a former student in 2009.

Child Abuse Squad Detectives have charged the 35-year-old woman from a south-east metropolitan suburb, alleging in 2008, the then 13-year-old boy was a student at a Kewdale school.

Officers will allege he and the teacher, who was 31 at the time, developed a friendship, which continued via phone and email after he moved schools in 2009.

That year, police will allege the correspondence then took on a sexual nature and when the boy 14 years old, a physical relationship started.

The woman has been charged with six counts of sexual penetration of a child under 16, and three counts of indecent dealing with a child under 16.

She will appear in Perth Magistrates Court on April 9.

Victims of child abuse or people who know of someone being abused, are asked to contact police on 131 444.
 

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Cot death: Father denies giving baby alcohol

TRAGEDY: A baby has died in Perth's south and found to have had a blood alcohol reading of 0.03 per cent. Source: PerthNow

A TWO-month old baby, who died after being found lying face down in his cot, was later discovered to have a blood alcohol reading of 0.03 per cent, an inquest into his death has heard.

The boy, named only as "Baby Shorn'', died in November 2008 after being found not breathing by his father at their home in Parmelia, in Perth's southern suburbs.

After he was rushed to the local hospital, the 46-day-old boy was given up to a dozen doses of adrenaline, and a faint pulse was detected.

However, after suffering a cardiac arrest and being transferred to Perth, he died two days later.

The tragic death took a mysterious turn when blood samples taken from him on his admission to hospital showed a blood alcohol concentration of 0.03 per cent.

At the opening of an inquest at Perth Coroner's Court today, West Australian deputy state coroner Evelyn Vicker was told the boy's father denied giving any alcohol to his baby.

But he did admit to drinking two cans of bourbon and cola himself before falling asleep on the couch next to the baby's portable cot.

That night was the first time he had looked after his son on his own, after his partner had earlier been admitted to hospital with complications with her caesarean scar.

Senior counsel Kate Ellson, assisting the coroner, said the inquest intended to find out what caused Baby Shorn's death, where the alcohol in his body had come from and whether it was a contributing factor in his death.

Detective Sergeant Terry Rakich, of WA's major crime squad, told the inquest the infant would have been without oxygen for up to an hour when his father brought him to the hospital.

Police searches of the house and the car raised no alarms, and a post-mortem examination found no signs of mistreatment.

But after the discovery of the significant alcohol level, police launched further inquiries - including quizzing the manufacturer of Karicare, the brand of formula Baby Shorn had drunk since birth.

Nutricia provided statements that no alcohol of any type was present in the formula, or the individual ingredients.

The boy's father, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was due to give evidence on today, but was excused until later this week to seek legal advice and family support.

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Bus fires: fleet will stay in service

PREVIOUS FIRE: A bus was destroyed by fire in Munster. Picture: Richard Polden Source: PerthNow

PERTH'S gas-fuelled bus fleet will not be taken off the road because it would cripple public transport, despite three of the vehicles catching fire since December last year.

The Public Transport Authority is investigating a bus fire at the Welshpool depot last night which destroyed one gas bus and damaged another.

Last night's blaze involved the third gas bus to catch fire in recent weeks, with the first in December and the second in February.

A bus was destroyed in Munster in a December fire preventing investigators from examining the vehicle.

The bus that caught fire in Bentley last month forced 20 passengers to flee the vehicle but was still tact for investigators.

Each bus is worth about $500,000 and despite $1.5 million of bus now lost to the fires and Transport Workers Union drivers threatening to walk off the job because of safety fears, the vehicles will not be shut down.

"We've got about 1250 buses in the Perth fleet, the gas buses represent about 40 per cent of that," PTA spokesman David Hynes said.

"We've got about 500 gas buses, to take them off the road would absolutely cripple the bus services."

Mr Hynes said it was now a matter of the PTA "managing the fires."

"What we've done is, we've installed fire suppression equipment and then after the latest fire in February there was a number of steps put in place," he said.

"One of those was to substantially upgrade the fire suppression equipment that we have.

Each of the gas buses has tubing around the engine bay and when the temperature reaches a certain level, a fire suppression fog is dispersed through seven nozzles into the bay for 45 seconds.

After the February fire, the PTA has moved to increase the number of nozzles to 11 and the spray time to 90 seconds.

"That upgrade, and it's a fairly major upgrade, will take place on every gas bus we have and work on that actually starts this week," Mr Hynes said.

Mr Hynes said the works were originally planned to finish by June 30 but those works will now be sped up.

He also said the PTA was working closely with the drivers, contractors and union in fixing the problem.

"I can understand the drivers would be concerned, we're doing everything we can," he said.

Mercedes and the investigators are working with the PTA to find a solution, with all the planned upgrades expected to cost $1.5 million.

"We're working to stop the fires completely, but if we can't stop the fires the next best thing is to put it out immediately," Mr Hynes said.

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Boy dies as asylum boat hit by waves

Footage from Nine shows asylum seekers arriving at Christmas Island after a boat carrying 95 capsized, killing two.

A YOUNG boy was among two asylum seekers killed yesterday after a terrifying series of waves smashed a dangerously overcrowded asylum boat, with the latest tragedy coming as three more boats arrived.

Traumatised Customs staff plucked 93 survivors from waters 14NM north of Christmas Island, including a seriously ill pregnant woman, aged in her 20s, and a boy, aged six to seven.

The pair ingested water and diesel from the surface of the water and were in a serious condition with breathing difficulties.

Children and their parents who survived the tragedy arrived at Christmas Island around 2pm, three hours after the disaster.

Customs staff are caring for two traumatised officers who had boarded the overcrowded 12-15m Indonesian fishing boat moments before two waves slammed into it in swells of between 1-2.5 metres.

Rescued passengers receive medical care after a suspected asylum seeker boat carrying 95 people capsized off Christmas Island killing two. (AAP Image/Sharon Tisdale)

The vessel, carrying mostly Afghans, was the latest in a string of arrivals, including another vessel with 128 on board which was found on the weekend, with the government bracing for more boats as monsoonal conditions ease.

Last night it was revealed another three boats, carrying almost 150 people, had arrived over the previous 24 hours.

Since Saturday seven vessels have arrived, carrying more than 430 people, taking March's total to 1583.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard last night said: "I worry every time we hear that a boat is out on the water, too many people have lost their lives getting on these very dangerous boats, paying people smugglers to do so and what a dreadful tragedy this is."

A passenger on the stricken vessel had made a distress call to the Australian Maritime Safety Authority's Rescue Coordination Centre at 9.30pm Sunday night, almost six hours after it was first spotted by a Customs Dash 8 surveillance plane.

Customs vessel the Ocean Protector was sent from Christmas Island at 10.13pm Sunday and spotted the asylum boat 33NM north of Christmas Island.

Home Affairs Minister Jason Clare said the vessel was underway and "did not appear to be in distress" and Customs staff waited until first light at 7am (11am AEST) to board.

The vessel stopped to allow Customs staff on board, making it more vulnerable to the two unexpected waves which slammed into it, swamping the hull with water, he said.

"Two officers from Customs and Border Protection Command boarded the vessel, about that time two large waves hit the vessel, the vessel rolled and a number of people entered the water," Mr Clare said.

"The two Customs and Border Protection officers were recovered and are safe. The men and women of protection command acted quickly to rescue the people from the water.

"The men and women of border protection command have experienced another tragic event, two of our men and women have been on board that vessel when it foundered, they went into the water, it is very important we provide them with support services and counselling."

Counsellors were being flown from WA.

Survivors still face being sent to Nauru or Manus Island to have refugee claims processed, Mr Clare said.

Border Protection Command Commander Rear Admiral David Johnston said the Customs officers had approached the vessel in a small rib boat, leaving the larger Ocean Protector 300m away.

He said it was safer to wait until the sun rose to attempt a boarding.

"We are confident we rescued all those we saw in the water," he said.

HMAS Maitland was patrolling the surround area yesterday but it was not expected any more asylum seekers had drowned.

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