Guilty verdict for Dana Vulin burns attack

A district court jury took less than four hours to find a woman guilty of setting Dana Vulin on fire in her Rivervale apartment.

A district court jury has found a woman guilty of the attack which left Rivervale woman Dana Vulin with burns to 60 per cent of her body.

Dana Vulin before the 2012 attack which left her with severe burns and (right) pictured outside the District Court today following a guilty verdict against Natalie Dimitrovska. Source: PerthNow

Burns victim Dana Vulin leaves court after her attacker Natalie Dimitrovska was found guilty. Picture: Kerris Berrington Source: PerthNow

A DISTRICT court jury has found a woman guilty of the attack which left Rivervale woman Dana Vulin with burns to 60 per cent of her body.

Natalie Dimitrovska, 28, was found guilty of intentionally causing grievous bodily harm to Ms Vulin, who will require treatment for the rest of her life.

The jury took three and a half hours to reach a verdict.

Ms Vulin appeared relieved upon hearing the decision, holding her hands up to her chest and embracing her family, who let out sighs of relief.

Ms Dimitrovska held her head in her hands and cried in the dock as the decision was read.

She is due to be sentenced on October 11.

Dana Vulin's family outside the District Court following a guilty verdict against Natalie Dimitrovska. Picture: Kerris Berrington Source: PerthNow

Outside court Ms Vulin's sister, Svetlana Velickovski, spoke of her relief at the decision.

"Thank you to all of the people who have supported Dana and our family," she said.

"Today's verdict brought up a lot of relief.

"Thank you again for the tens of thousands of comments on the 'We heart Dana' Facebook page.

"We couldn't be happier and look forward to her (Ms Dimitrovska) getting a lengthy sentence."

Ms Dimitrovska's lawyer, David Manera, said his client was "devastated" by the verdict but did not want to make further comment before sentencing.

Ms Vulin will undergo further surgery on Friday.

Compelling trial

During the eight-day trial, the District Court jury was told Dimitrovska had threatened Ms Vulin repeatedly, accusing her of having an affair with her estranged husband Edin Handanovic.

Dimitrovska had told Ms Vulin she would "ruin her pretty little face" on the phone days before the attack.

In the early hours of February 16 2012, Dimitrovska and her friend Daniel Stone broke into Ms Vulin's riverfront apartment and started to argue with her.

An argument started and Dimitrovska picked up a bottle of methylated spirits, throwing it at Ms Vulin who was holding a lit methylated spirits lamp.

Dimitrovska was accused of laughing as she ran away while Ms Vulin became a "human fireball" suffering burns to 60 per cent of her body.

In the days after, Dimitrovska then changed her hair colour and bought a one-way ticket to Macedonia, before being arrested at Perth International Airport minutes before the plane was set to leave.

Dimitrovska claimed she had not meant to injure Ms Vulin, and had thrown the bottle in self-defence during the argument.

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Mother, sons killed in Hills tragedy

A mother and her two sons aged six and three were killed in a crash at Gidgegannup, about 45km north east of Perth, this morning.

A mother and her two boys aged six and three were killed in a crash at Gidgegannup, about 45km north east of Perth.

A mother and her two boys aged six and three were killed when the 4WD they were in collided with a truck in Gidgegannup this morning. Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper Source: PerthNow

Three people have been killed in a horror smash on Toodyay Road, about 45km east of Perth. Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper Source: PerthNow

Three people have been killed in a horror smash in Gidgegannup, about 45km east of Perth. Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper Source: PerthNow

A MOTHER and her two sons aged six and three were killed in a crash at Gidgegannup, about 45km north east of Perth, this morning.

The Toyota Landcruiser the 28-year-old woman was driving collided with a truck on Toodyay Road, just outside the Noble Falls Tavern and Restaurant, about 8.40am.

Initially police believed that a fourth victim, a child, had been seriously injured in the crash, but that was not correct.

Family members of the deceased trio have been informed.

Noble Falls Tavern owner Brian Wickins said the crash happened at the front of his business minutes before he arrived for work this morning.

He described the scene as "horrific" and said the victims were already deceased when he arrived.

"There were no ambulances there yet and there were bodies around out of the vehicle," a shocked Mr Wickins told PerthNow.

"They were already deceased – it was a horrific accident."

Noble Falls Tavern owner Brian Wickins was one of the first at the scene of a triple fatality in Gidgegannup this morning. Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper. Source: PerthNow

Mr Wickins said he had raised concerns several months ago about the 90km/h speed limit on the road, fearing there would be a fatal crash.

"The trucks pick up more speed coming down the hill," he said.

"I have said before that we need to bring down the speed limit and have more signage warning people before the bend. Otherwise crashes will keep happening."

Police Inspector Dominic Wood at the scene, confirmed: "The three people killed were all in the same car, an old Landcruiser, which collided with a prime mover.''

"There are some witnesses that we are speaking to at the moment,'' Inspector Wood said.

"The driver of the truck is physically okay, but will be suffering from quite some emotional stress.''

"It's a horrific scene.  This is a tragedy, not only for the family involved. It's a tragedy for the local community.  It's also a shocking and horrific scene for the officers.''

A local man who only wanted to be known as Ian told PerthNow, at the scene, he had seen several crashes in the area in the seven years he has lived in nearby Toodyay.

He was waiting at the police road block to see his wife who was caught up in the crash.

"`One of the worst prangs I've ever seen was here on Toodyay Road, three people were killed in that one too.'' Ian, a former police officer of 17 years, said.

"From what I can gather my wife was behind the crash or she might have come across it. One of the police officers rang me to say your wife is here but she is ok.'' 

Toodyay Road is currently closed after Preedy Road and Police have advised motorists to avoid the area for the rest of the day.

There were reports that there was an explosion at the scene of the crash, but Mr Wickins said that was probably just the impact of the collision.

The RAC rescue helicopter was initially mobilised to head to the scene, but was stood down. Police, firefighters from Ellenbrook, Midland, Mundaring and Wundowie raced to the scene.

Major Crash Squad investigators are also at the site, several kilometres east of the Gidgegannup townsite.

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Performance boss teetered on brink

Dean Robinson revealed he considered harming himself in the wake of the Bombers' drug saga. Picture: Channel 7 Source: HeraldSun

FORMER Essendon high performance manager Dean Robinson says he considered harming himself in the wake of the drug scandal that has engulfed the club.

Robinson said only the thought of his family had kept him alive.

"There are days when I couldn't sleep, there are days where, numerous days where I thought about suicide," he told Channel 7.

"It's only been in those moments that I've seen my kids, my wife and my family and I've gone 'if I leave them, who is going to look after them?'."

Hird called the shots: Robinson

Views split on Robinson tell-all

How Dank, Robinson spun the truth

Robinson, who resigned last Friday and was stood down by the club in February when an investigation into the supplements program was launched, said coach James Hird had been the driving force in the program and the club administration - including former chief executive Ian Robson - was fully aware what was going on.

Robinson, who resigned last Friday and was stood down by the club in February when an investigation into the supplements program was launched, said coach James Hird had been the driving force in the program and the club administration - including former chief executive Ian Robson - was fully aware what was going on.

Former Essendon high-performance manager Dean Robinson has given his version of events that led to the Bombers coming under investigation by ASADA and the AFL in a tell-all TV interview.

Essendon high performance manager Dean Robinson with coach James Hird. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

In the paid interview, Robinson also claimed:

HIRD had asked him to investigate a cream he believed to be a banned testosterone;

FORMER Essendon sports scientist Stephen Dank injected Hird up to 30 times with Hexarelin, a drug banned for players but not coaches;

"I can confirm that my lawyers have spoken with Steve Dank and he said that he did inject James Hird with Hexarelin on up to 30 occasions," he said.

An Essendon spokesman said the Hexarelin allegation was "an outrageous claim and will be legally challenged."

DANK had kept supplement invoices to himself and refused to say what amino acids he had purchased to account for a $60,000 bill.

ONLY one player, David Zaharakis, declined to be involved in the program;

PLAYERS came to him in early 2012 with concerns about the supplements and he initiated consent forms;

Essendon coach James Hird has been forced to defend himself again amid claims he was in on a discussion that suggested the Bombers' supplements program by a "black op".

IT was him, and not Hird, who initiated protocols.

Robinson said "black ops" - referred to in Dank's job interview - meant only to push the boundaries but not stray into the territory of banned supplements.

But he said Hird was happy to explore the boundaries.

"I felt there were inferences from him (Hird) that we go down that path. I had a phone call while he was overseas telling me about a doctor he met in New York that had this undetectable substance that you could use as a cream and he came back and told me about it again, that we should investigate it," he said.

Hird targeted rival clubs

What next in Dons drug probe?

Robinson told ASADA he believed Hird was referring to testosterone cream.

"I said 'we're not going there, stay away'," he said.

Robinson said Hird had asked him to bring "bigger and stronger players to him. He felt they were being outmuscled and he specifically noted a side that he wanted to beat".

"He wanted to go after Collingwood. And he knew stuff that Collingwood were doing. He said to me that he knew they were taking supplements that were allowing them to get an advantage because he knew who was supplying them," he said.

Essendon released a statement after the interview, saying: ''The club acknowledges that Dean Robinson appears to be under an extreme amount of pressure as are a number of people who are employed at the Essendon Football Club.

''However, the series of allegations made by Dean Robinson on Channel 7 tonight are totally without foundation. They are coming from a disgruntled, disaffected and discredited ex-employee.

''They are outrageous in nature and the club is seeking appropriate legal advice.''

Robinson said he first met Dank in 2004 and thought he was smart and trustworthy.

He maintained he did not believe he had been involved in any practices that contravened the WADA code, but admitted he "couldn't say what happened behind closed doors - that I wasn't privy to - I can't talk to that."

"We never did that (run it under cover of darkness). I made sure that it was open. I sent emails out with the supplements that I knew were taking place," he said.

"It's cutting edge - its safe. That's what I believe it was, that's what I was told it was.

"I followed the directive that I was given by the head coach - as long as it was within the rules.

"But the leadership group didn't have a problem with any of this, only one player out of Essendon didn't want to be involved. David Zaharakis - it was his personal choice and that was fine."

If you need help, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or www.lifeline.org.au

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Smokers hit with $5b tax increase

More taxes for smokers. Source: Herald Sun

SMOKERS will be forced to cough up an extra $1.3 billion a year in tax to help Kevin Rudd plug an ever-deepening budget black hole and alleviate pressure on the health system.

From December this year the average price of a packet of cigarettes will rise by $1 - and will continue to increase to $5.25 more a packet by 2016, in a staged increase over four years of 12.5 per cent.

With the federal government tomorrow expected to release its pre-election economic statement - which will reveal a dramatic $8 billion in further cuts to plug the continuing collapse in its revenues - the tax grab on smokers will deliver an extra $5.3 billion to Treasury coffers.

Treasurer Chris Bowen last night confirmed the measure, and admitted that while it was being sold as a policy to deliver health benefits it would alleviate pressures on the budget.

"This increase in excise serves several purposes: it provides funds for cancer-related health services; it deters young people from taking up smoking; and, of course, it alleviates some of the revenue impacts on the budget," Mr Bowen said.

"I think the Australian people would agree that we need to consider all sorts of measures to reduce the impact of cancer caused by smoking."

Mr Rudd last hit smokers with a tobacco excise increase in 2010 when he raised taxes by 25 per cent. The government has since forced through the toughest packaging laws in the world to try to get people to kick the habit.

The public health cost of smoking is estimated to be more than $30 billion a year, killing an average of 15,000 people annually. The government claims that 750,000 hospital bed days per year are attributable to tobacco-related diseases.

The Coalition is expected to support the measure, having already announced it would "tick and flick" the majority of the government's revenue measures and spending cuts because of what it claimed was a "budget emergency".

The only exception so far has been the bungled $1.8 billion crackdown on tax breaks for salary-packaged vehicles - which has infuriated the motor vehicle industry.

"My view is we'll wait and see but the interesting thing about this government is that it can't control its own spending; therefore it always looks to increase taxes on the Australian people," Opposition Leader Tony Abbott said.

Health Minister Tanya Plibersek yesterday admitted tobacco tax rises hit lower income earners harder, but said these people were more price sensitive and therefore more likely to be encouraged to kick the habit.

"We know that increasing excise is the single most effective way for government to reduce premature death and disease due to smoking," Ms Plibersek said.

"This is a significant public health measure that will also help to build on the government's record investment of an extra $4.1 billion for world class cancer care here in Australia since 2007.

"Lower smoking rates will help to reduce rates of cancer, heart disease and stroke."

Mr Rudd yesterday said stopping people smoking would be a key health priority.

"We need to get serious on this major driver of cancer in Australia and around the world," Mr Rudd said.

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Abbott parties at million-dollar bash

Around 1000 people will fork out up to $50,000 for a table at Tony Abbott's fund-raiser , Source: News Limited

BUSINESS is bankrolling a record-breaking $1 million Liberal Party fundraiser in Melbourne on Thursday as Tony Abbott cashes in on his election favouritism.

But Kevin Rudd's comeback has also significantly boosted Labor's coffers with the Prime Minister hosting a series of intimate "boardroom" dinners - including Sydney on Thursday for $5500 per head.

Both major parties are scrambling to raise tens of millions of dollars to bankroll a record campaign blitz - likely to soar to well over $100 million.

The Opposition Leader will join a raft of senior Liberal frontbenchers - and two Premiers - at tonight's record-breaking fund-raiser, to be held at Crown Casino in Melbourne.

Around 1000 people - including a raft of blue-chip corporates - will fork out up to $50,000 for a table, to be hosted by senior Liberal MPs including shadow treasurer Joe Hockey, deputy opposition leader Julie Bishop and immigration spokesman Scott Morrison.

Victorian Premier Dennis Napthine and NSW's Barry O'Farrell will also attend the "federal campaign launch dinner" - expected to raise a record sum for a single political fund-raiser.

Tickets for the event start at $175 - but dinner at a table hosted by a shadow minister will cost a minimum $1000.

Mr Abbott - whose chances of winning the election have lengthened since Julia Gillard was ousted - has been cashing in on business hopes of a Coalition victory.

Last night, the Opposition Leader appeared at a small fund-raiser in the Sydney offices of National Australia Bank - the former employer of the ALP's national secretary George Wright.

Executives from St George Bank were understood to be among the guests at the Sydney dinner.

But Labor is also exploiting the Prime Minister's strong popularity by going all out to raise funds to bankroll the party's election campaign.

There has been a "significant improvement" in corporate donations since the change of leadership, senior ALP figures have confirmed.

Mr Rudd - who has been hosting a series of small boardroom dinners in capital cities during the past few weeks - will play host to a small function in Sydney on Thursday, expected to raise around $60,000 for Labor.

Invitations advise business representatives to "respond early to avoid disappointment".

But while the Prime Minister has sought to improve relations between Labor and the business community since returning as leader, several ALP supporters say he retains a reputation for turning up late to fundraisers and only showing moderate interest in his corporate guests.

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Search for missing brothers

The Department of Child Protection and Family Support is searching for two brothers not seen since the start of the month.

John Frederick Blurton, 9, and Robert John Blurton, 13, have been listed by police as missing. Picture: Supplied Source: PerthNow

THE Department of Child Protection and Family Support is searching for two brothers not seen since the start of the month.

Robert John Blurton, 13, and John Frederick Blurton, 9, have been listed by police as missing.

They were last seen in Padbury on Friday, July 5, and since then the Department has been working with police and family members to find them.

The public is now being asked for assistance if they have seen the boys, pictured above.

Robert has a big build, is about 140cm to 150cm tall, with short hair and is likely to be wearing a cap.

John is of medium build, about 120cm to 130cm tall with short hair and usually wears a red sweat band around his wrist.

Anyone with information is asked to phone the Department's Crisis Care Unit on 9223 1111.
 

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New era: Metro councils slashed from 30 to 14

WA Premier Colin Barnett announces council merger plans on Sunday. Picture: Kerris Berrington Source: PerthNow

John Gangell, Mayor of the Town of Bassendean. Picture: Richard Hatherly Source: PerthNow

Colin Barnett has done a deal with Brendan Grylls to force some city councils to merge.

The proposed Metropolitan Local Governmen boundaries, released today by the Premier. Source: PerthNow

THE landscape of local government in Western Australia has been transformed, with the number of Perth's metropolitan councils to be slashed in half.

After years of wrangling, Premier Colin Barnett today unveiled the state government's plan for the state's councils, with WA's 30 metropolitan councils to be reduced to 14 by July 1, 2015.

Having said during the March election campaign they would not support forced amalgamations, Mr Barnett revealed nine new super councils would be formed.

See how your suburb is affected here

The plan includes the merging of seven of Australia's most affluent areas in Perth's western suburbs, which could save up to $2 million.

South Perth and Victoria Park will join forces, as will Cockburn and Kwinana; Melville, Fremantle and East Fremantle; Armadale and Serpentine/Jarrahdale; Bayswater and Bassendean, Swan and Mundaring; Canning and Gosnells; and Belmont and Kalamunda.

``Today is decision day, and we intend to act with speed,'' Mr Barnett said.

``Perth is the fastest growing city in Australia but our local government structure dates back to the late 1800s.''

The Premier said the reform plan redefined outdated local government boundaries to create councils with improved economies of scale and provided better co-ordination across the metropolitan area.

It would create nine new local government areas through a series of mergers.

Mergers not forced - Barnett

Despite repeated accusations from mayors of forced mergers, both Mr Barnett and Mr Simpson insisted the moves were voluntary.

"I said we won't have forced amalgamations and we have not got forced amalgamations, in 2015 in the unlikely event this is not in place then we will reconsider that position," Mr Barnett said.

"A forced amalgamation would be if we brought in a piece of legislation into parliament next week, redraw the boundaries putting it through parliament and achieving it in a week.

"This is about bringing about what is long overdue."

Wanneroo, Joondalup, Rockingham unchanged

The Wanneroo, Joondalup and Rockingham local government areas would remain unchanged. Perth and Stirling would undergo boundary adjustments. Vincent residents would become ratepayers of either Stirling or Perth.

The Premier added: "The key objective is to create stronger councils to provide the best possible services to residents with maximum efficiency - and modern councils to meet the needs of a rapidly growing city.''

"We need local governments with the scale and capacity to deal with these challenges. Council reform will deliver a more strategic, co-ordinated approach across the metropolitan area for issues like planning, road networks, waste management, the Swan River, recreation, housing and health.''

Before the state election in March, Mr Barnett said there would be no forced council amalgamations, but confirmed in The Sunday Times that the state's 40 councils would be reduced in number.

David Templeman Opposition local government spokesman, said: "Tony Simpson, I've got to say, he himself made an apology back in February this year that the Liberal Party does not support forced amalgamations, he got it wrong and it was his mistake."

"He just needs to be upfront, this is forced amalgamations, there's no other word for it."

"I am appalled by what he said today, and this has created I think a huge amount of chaos in councils throughout the metropolitan area.''

Mr Barnett today said that a further $2.5 million has been allocated to assist councils in the merger process.

The Premier said he did not expect the amalgamations to hinder any developments in progress under Directions 2031, but would help such developments.

Defending the planned mergers, Mr Barnett said 69 councillors for the Western Suburbs was way too much.

State Labor leader Mark McGowan and federal candidate Alannah MacTiernan yesterday criticised the merger plans.

'Changes don't suit Fremantle' - Mayor

Fremantle Mayor Brad Pettit was one of the first council leaders to leave the meeting and said the changes did not suit the area.

"Fremantle alway's been a centre that's had a unique character and watering it down with suburbs all the way to the freeway doesn't really suit our needs, especially when key parts like North Fremantle are being removed " he said.

Mr Pettit said he would be arguing for changes more in line with Directions 2031 that had Fremantle as a centre.

He said with Fremantle merging with other councils, it may no longer be treated as a regional centre and heritage could suffer if resources weren't allocated correctly.

The Urban Development Institute of Australia (WA) today welcomed the government's release of the new council boundaries.

"Whilst the detail of where the lines on the map have been placed are bound to dominate discussions, achieving economies of scale and a more robust planning and approvals system is the goal for the industry," said Debra Goostrey UDIA (WA) Chief Executive Officer.

The Metropolitan Local Government Review final report (Robson Report) said that "the fragmented approach to local planning results in a system that is unnecessarily complicated, uncoordinated and lacking in strategic focus.''

Industry is on record as saying that the biggest delays in the system occur in the structure planning process which is largely controlled by local authorities.

"The current fragmented planning system has seen dramatic variations between local authorities including engineering conditions that to a large extent should be consistent," said Ms Goostrey.

"Our rapidly growing population demands a planning and approvals system that is efficient and effective if affordable housing is to be achieved in Perth."

Earlier today criticism of the planned mergers started to flow in the lead up to this morning's official announcement by the state government.

Yesterday Opposition Leader Mark McGowan and City of Vincent Mayor Alannah MacTiernan raised questions about the process.

This morning those questions continued from Town of Bassendean Mayor John Gangell who predicted his council would be forced to merge with Bayswater, despite wanting to join the City of Swan.

"We decided to take the front foot, go and analyse, speak to our residents and community and see which was the preferred option, Swan or Bayswater. Clearly it was Swan," Mr Gangell said on ABC radio.

"Unfortunately despite both councils unanimously voting and supporting and taking that position to the advisory panel, the State Government is going to completely disregard that, it's quite astonishing."

Mr Gangell said he had already been told that merging Bassendean and Swan would be "too hard" and leave Bayswater standing alone.

Mr Simpson will announce the local government reforms later this morning.
 

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Fade to black: Amy's last days

TWO years after her death, Howard Sounes delves into the tragic life of Amy Winehouse.

Amy discharged herself from the Priory clinic on May 31, 2011, angry with those who had persuaded her to go there.

Neither her brief stay, nor her doctor's written warning, altered her behaviour. Amy joked about Dr Cristina Romete telling her that her drinking was putting her life in danger.

"She'd joke and laugh about it," says drummer Troy Miller.

"We'd all laugh - not in a sinister way - she was genuinely joking about it. It's not that she knew it was going to happen, but she was sick."

He means she had psychological problems. "She had a dark sense of humour."

Amy was in no state to sing at a family bar mitzvah, let alone give a concert, yet there were plans afoot for an 11-date European tour, starting in Belgrade, Serbia, on June 18.

Her father, Mitch Winehouse, says Amy wanted to tour, despite the misgivings of her manager.

She ordered new suits for her band and arranged to give a private warm-up show at the 100 Club in London on June 12. It was at this show she betrayed warning signs

of the disaster that was to follow.

Amy had been sober for several days - some say weeks - prior to the 100 Club gig.

But on the day of the performance she was gripped with stage fright, craved a drink and became very bad-tempered.

British singer Amy Winehouse performs at the Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm, in Glastonbury on June 28, 2008. AFP PHOTO/BEN STANSALL Source: AFP

Finally she was able to perform and the show went tolerably well. But if Amy had got herself into this state at a club gig in front of family and friends, what would she be like on tour?

Five days later, on the eve of the tour, Amy told her father she didn't want to perform. He asked why, but couldn't get a lucid explanation.

The following day she changed her mind and boarded the private plane leased for the tour.

The first show was an open-air event in the grounds of the Kalemegdan fortress in Belgrade. On a hot summer night, Amy and a cast of support acts drew an audience of 20,000 from across Serbia and neighbouring countries. Once again

Amy was gripped with stage fright. Mitch Winehouse (who wasn't present) said she became agitated before the concert and asked her manager for a drink.

"So Raye [Cosbert] allowed her one glass of wine to help her calm down."

Unless that glass was as big as a bucket, it wouldn't account for the state Amy got into.

Either she drank a great deal more than one glass, or she mixed alcohol with medication, or both.

Amy Winehouse performs at the Brit Awards 2008 in London. Source: AP

She was out of her head by showtime and didn't want to perform. But 20,000 people were yelling her name, so finally the band was given the signal to begin.

Amy let the audience sing most of the first verse of Tears Dry on Their Own, while she danced with backing vocalist Zalon Thompson, shouting the occasional line. The song was about ex-husband Blake Fielder-Civil, and one of the songs she found difficult. She roused

herself to sing a couple of the most vivid lines about their doomed love and then gave up.

The next moment she seemed to nod off, stumbled and grabbed the mic stand for support. People were laughing. Throughout the show Amy alternated between inebriation, pathos and schoolgirl cheek.

The stage manager helped Amy offstage as the crowd howled and booed, furious that they'd paid to see a fiasco. There were no encores.

The tour party left for Istanbul, where the next concert was due to take place. But the show was cancelled, along with the rest of the tour. Amy would never perform a concert again - her career ended in Belgrade.

In a spooky parallel to fellow tragic talent Jimi Hendrix, Amy was booed offstage at her last gig - an open-air concert in a foreign land.

She checked in to theWHotel in Istanbul and was later joined by boyfriend Reg Traviss.

By the time he arrived, she was sober and contrite.

Director Reg Traviss, a close friend of Amy Winehouse is comforted as he looks at flowers left by mourners in Camden Square outside the house following her death, in Camden, northern London. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis) Source: AP

"She was taking it seriously. She was like, 'Aw, f*ck, what did I do?'" he says.

Amy and Reg returned to London on June 22. She watched amateur footage of the Belgrade show on YouTube. It was unusual for her to look at herself online, though she did so more than once in her final days.

Amy was sober for several days, then started drinking again, possibly triggered by news that ex-husband Blake had been given 32 months in prison for burglary.

Reg spent Tuesday night, July 19, at Amy's house in Camden Square, leaving for work the next morning at the time Amy's bodyguard, Andrew Morris, returned after a break. Reg said Amy was sober when he left the house, though she got up early to make breakfast.

Morris told the police that when he arrived at 10am he realised she'd been drinking, "Because of the way she was speaking to me." He wouldn't say she was drunk - he'd seen Amy drunk too many times to use the word lightly.

British singer-songwriter Amy Winehouse performs at the 46664 charity concert in honor of Nelson Mandela's 90th birthday in London. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis, File) Source: AP

Amy was going out that evening, to hear her goddaughter, Dionne Bromfield, sing at the Roundhouse venue. It was her last public appearance. Dionne, only 15 but a confident performer with a strong voice, introduced Amy to the audience. She came onstage

chewing gum and looking edgy. Dionne gave the signal for the band to play Mama Said, appearing to want Amy to join her, but Amy merely danced around the stage, looking evasive and high. Still, she hugged Dionne at the end and exhorted the crowd to cheer.

Mitch called by Amy's house on July 21 and found her looking at family photos. He was flying to New York and didn't see Amy alive again. Amy called Reg, who was busy at

work and couldn't come over. Amy disliked being alone and several people she normally counted on for company were unavailable.

Amy's mother, Janis Winehouse, visited at lunchtime on July 22 with her partner.

"When we left, she hugged me and said, 'I love you, Mummy.' She was always calling me that and telling me she loved me. Amy never really grew up. She was like a little girl, permanently fixed in time as a kiddie."

Amy drank throughout the day. In her search for company, she Skyped childhood friend Ricardo Canadinhas.

Cover of Back to Black by Amy Winehouse. Source: News Limited

"When she was on Skype it was because no one was there," says Ricardo, providing an insight into how lonely Amy had become. "She was like,

'Talk to me, talk to me.'"

Attempts to reach others failed. "A lot of people had missed calls. Basically everyone was out," says local publican and friend Doug Charles-Ridler. "Kelly [Osbourne] said she tried to Skype. Naomi [Parry, her stylist] had missed calls. Everyone had missed calls. No

one picked up, and she was alone."

To comfort herself, Amy drank. She drank vodka more or less constantly the last three days of her life. But her GP was satisfied she wasn't suicidal. "She specifically said she did not want to die," Dr Romete told the police.

Amy Winehouse's father Mitch Winehouse (C) and brother Alex Winehouse (R) look at floral tributes left at her house by fans on July 25, 2011 in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

Amy was alone at the end, in her bedroom suite, although Morris was in the house. It's not known for certain what she did in her last moments, other than drink more vodka, judging by the post-mortem evidence and empty bottles. So she drank to forget herself and her problems, as drunkards do. She drank herself into a stupor in the early hours.

Flowers, pictures and messages are left in tribute to late soul music and pop star Amy Winehouse, near the house in north London where her body was found the previous day, on July 24, 2011. AFP PHOTO/CARL COURT Source: AFP

Then she curled up to sleep as the sky lightened with the dawn. She may not have meant to die, but she'd been living dangerously for a long time. Death had been shadowing her for years, sometimes coming close, sometimes retreating. We can imagine death

materialising at the foot of her bed as the vodka bottle slipped from her grasp and the last grains of sand ran through the hourglass.

This is an edited extract of Amy, 27, by Howard Sounes (Hodder &Stoughton).

Amy 27 by Howard Sounes (Hodder & Stoughton) Source: Supplied

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Former UWA professor fined

A former associate professor of the University of WA has been convicted of attempted fraud. Source: PerthNow

A FORMER associate professor of a prestigious Perth university has been convicted of attempted fraud after he tried to claim almost $3000 from a research fund.

Steve Su worked at the University of WA until last year after the institution detected he had falsified a personal credit card statement and an invoice to claim $2750.

UWA reported it to the Crime and Corruption Commission before the money could be paid, an investigation was launched and Su was charged.

Today, the 34-year-old pleaded guilty in the Perth Magistrates Court and fined $4000 and ordered to pay $129.35 in costs.

Su resigned from UWA in December and now lives in Sydney.

He was not required to appear in court and was granted a spent conviction, meaning the conviction will not appear on his criminal record.
 

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Tourist attack 'racially motivated'

Three people are being questioned over a gang attack on four tourists in Northbridge last night, which police believe was racially motivated.

The Perth Cultural Centre, where four tourists were attacked last night. Picture: Marie Nirme Source: PerthNow

Four tourists were attacked in the Perth Cultural Centre last night, with a Swedish man and woman hospitalised.   Source: PerthNow

THREE people are being questioned over a gang attack on four tourists in Northbridge last night, which police believe was racially motivated.

Two of the tourists, a Swedish couple aged 35 and 22, had only arrived in Perth yesterday, a few hours before they were attacked.

The Swedes and a New Zealand couple, were assaulted about 9.30pm in the Perth Cultural Centre near James Street.

The Swedish couple was taken to Sir Charles Gardiner Hospital for treatment for head and facial injuries.

The New Zealand pair, a 31-year-old woman and a 27-year-old man, received minor injuries in the assault and were treated at the scene.

There are reports that the 27-year-old New Zealand man was approached as he walked to his hostel last night and he was asked for a cigarette, but when he declined, he was set upon.

This afternoon Perth City Detectives revealed they were interviewing a man and two women in relation to the attack.

It's believed the couples were assaulted by up to eight people, six men and two women.

"One of the male offenders was not wearing a top during the incident," a police spokeswoman said.

"The offenders used offensive and racially motivated language towards the victims."

City of Perth acting lord mayor Janet Davidson said: "It is always disturbing to hear of tourists, or anyone else, being assaulted in the city."

"The circumstances of Monday night's incident are for the police to investigate and establish.

"All cities are subject to violence, but by international standards Perth is a relatively safe city and remains very popular with tourists.

"Safety and security is a priority for the City of Perth. We maintain a network of CCTV cameras and will supply any footage to the police to assist with their investigations."

Anyone with any information about the incident is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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