Southern suburbs fire creates traffic chaos

Firefighters are battling a blaze in North Lake. Picture: Tait Schmaal Source: AdelaideNow

MOTORISTS have been urged to avoid Farrington Road near the Kwinana Fwy, with traffic backed up due to a blaze in Murdoch earlier today.

Firefighters have contained the bushfire, but westbound Farrington Road closures are causing delays, with smoke in the area causing visibility problems.

Department of Fire and Emergency Services officials have urged motorists to be careful when driving through the area.

It is not known what caused the blaze between Farrington Road and Allendale Entrance, which was reported about 11am.

There was no threat to lives or homes.

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Channel 10 news helicopter crashes

A Channel 10 cameraman has been taken to hospital after a news helicopter crashed in Perth.

The wreckage of the Channel 10 news chopper in Perth. Picture: Twitter/Channel 7 Source: Supplied

THE Channel 10 cameraman who survived a terrifying helicopter crash says "it was like a bad movie'' and he feared that the pilot - whose efforts have been praised - had been killed.

Adam Delmage, 23, said he was hanging outside the chopper, flown by experienced pilot Paul Debenham, filming a truck rollover about 11am in the Swan Valley when ''the engine just quit''. He is understood to have told colleagues that he doesn't want to fly again.

``We started going down and just basically I was filming it so I had to push myself back into the cabin, and just brace myself,'' Mr Delmage told Ten News.

``I just kind of climbed to the top, tried to jump out but the harness was still on so I ripped the cord and jumped out the chopper and I just laid there for a sec and looked up and saw the tail was up one end, the chopper was on its side - and I thought the pilot was dead... I didn't know whether to run back and help him out. I didn't know if it was going to go up in flames.''

But the young cameraman, who was treated for a sore back at Royal Perth Hospital before being discharged yesterday afternoon, said it was lucky he had just recently completed compulsory training.

``I just thought I'm going to survive this - this is not the day,'' he said. ``If I hadn't have done the course, and it wasn't so fresh (in my mind), I just wouldn't have thought to do that but I knew that I had to brace myself.''

Mr Debenham was treated for shock.

Department of Fire and Emergency Services Swan District acting officer Jason Welsh said the men were lucky to walk away.

Firefighters were already on the scene to assist with the truck rollover, which occurred about 9.30am. The truck driver was flown to RPH, where he was in a stable condition with broken bones and lacerations.

Mr Welsh said it appeared the pilot had taken the right action and it was lucky emergency services were there.

Heliwest co-founder David Grimes said he was ``beyond relieved'' the pair walked away. He paid tribute to Mr Debenham for ``being able to pull off an emergency landing in extremely difficult terrain''.

``He is a grade one instructor with more than 40 years experience,'' he said. ``There is now an investigative process that takes place under the jurisdiction of the Australian Transport Safety Bureau. We'll do what's required to ensure all the questions are answered.''

He said it was the first crash in Heliwest's 21-year history.

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Race to save yachtie in Southern Ocean

Alain Delord, the missing yachtie. Photo: Facebook Source: Supplied

A CRUISE ship is on its way to rescue a solo round-the-world yachtsman who is floating in a life raft in remote waters after abandoning his vessel southwest of Tasmania.

The Frenchman, reported to be 63-year-old Alain Delord who set off at the beginning of October, abandoned his yacht on Friday after it lost its mast and its hull was damaged in rough weather.

He is still battling rough conditions in a life raft as he awaits the arrival of the Orion cruise ship, expected on Sunday afternoon or evening.

The location, about 500 nautical miles southwest of Hobart, is too distant for a helicopter rescue with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) using three aircraft to maintain contact with the sailor until a vessel can reach him.

A language barrier has proven to be an issue in getting information from the Frenchman, although AMSA's Dornier aircraft again made contact with him today and he did not report any injuries.

''We've had a couple of difficulties in actually getting information from him because he doesn't speak English,'' AMSA spokeswoman Jo Meehan said.

The Dornier has also been attempting to gain contact with other vessels 100 nautical miles west of the life raft, but their crews don't speak English and the bad weather has meant the vessels' specific call signs can't be identified.

Translators are on board some of the aircraft, including a French-speaking officer to help communication with the sailor, and a Mandarin interpreter.

Translators have also been helping issue broadcasts and messages from the rescue co-ordination centre in Canberra to vessels in the area.

A second life raft containing communications equipment has been dropped to him.

Ms Meehan said the yachtsman was well equipped with safety gear, including a survival suit but was battling unfavourable conditions including large swells, 30-knot winds and the cold.

The Orion, with 100 passengers and 80 crew on board, was returning from Antarctica and heading for the world heritage-listed Macquarie Island when it responded to the call to help.

It is making a 51-hour journey to reach the location.

''It's such a vast ocean down there and very few people go down there,'' Orion Expedition Cruises spokesman Michael Corbett said.

Ms Meehan said the Orion was the closest vessel and even if a ship had left Hobart, it wouldn't have been able to arrive any sooner.

''We are very grateful to the master and the crew and the passengers of the Orion,'' she said.

She said authorities had the sailor's co-ordinates through the emergency beacon activated at 1pm (AEDT) on Friday, while additional safety and communications equipment has also been dropped to him.

AMSA says an associate of the sailor contacted them early on Friday morning after the yacht was de-masted.

It says it made contact with the sailor but he did not declare he was in distress at the time and was advised to head towards Hobart.

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LIVE: Tomic v Federer

Bernard Tomic goes into tonight's Australian Open clash with Roger Federer as a huge underdog. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

RE-LIVE our rolling coverage of day six of the Australian Open from Melbourne Park.

RE-LIVE BERNARD TOMIC'S BIG CLASH WITH ROGER FEDERER BELOW

12.30am AEDT - SIMON OUSTS MONFILS IN MARATHON

In a battle of the Frenchman, Gilles Simon defeated Gael Monfils in a five-set marathon on Hisense Arena.

Simon took the first two sets 6-4 6-4, before Monfils hit back with the next two, 4-6 1-6.

The final set went the distance, with Simon finally closing it out 8-6 in 94 minutes.

The match lasted almost five hours in total.

And next up for Simon? Andy Murray.

9.16pm AEDT - FEDERER TOO GOOD FOR BERNIE

Bernard Tomic produced his best stuff tonight but it was not good enough as Roger Federer pulled off a 6-4 7-6 6-1 win on Rod Laver Arena.

Tomic played big from the back of the court and stretched Federer in an epic second set, but the Swiss outclassed his younger, less experienced opponent to progress to the fourth round.

8.45pm AEDT - FEDERER LEADING TWO SETS TO LOVE

Roger Federer has taken a 6-4 7-6 lead but Bernard Tomic is playing out of his skin on Rod Laver Arena.

Follow the action with our play-by-play coverage above.

7.45pm AEDT - FEDERER TAKES FIRST SET

Roger Federer has taken the first set 6-4 against Bernard Tomic.

Follow the live coverage in the chat above.

7pm AEDT - CAN TOMIC DO THE UNTHINKABLE?

Bernard Tomic goes into tonight's third round blockbuster against Roger Federer a huge underdog, but confident he can pull off an enormous upset.

Tomic said earlier this week that now was the "perfect time" to take on the Swiss great, with the Australian carrying a run of 10 straight wins into the encounter.

Follow the live coverage of the Rod Laver Arena showdown in the chat above and send your messages of support.

You can also send your tweets to @cam_tomarchio.

6.55pm AEDT - WOZNIACKI TO MEET KUZNETSOVA

Caroline Wozniacki moved into the fourth round with a relatively straightforward 6-4 6-3 win against Lesia Tsurenko of the Ukraine.

It's welcome news for "Wozzilroy", considering Rory McIlroy failed to make the cut in Abu Dhabi with his new Nike clubs.

Wozniacki will next meet two-time grand slam champion Svetlana Kuznetsova in the fourth round.

5.30pm AEDT - DEL POTRO CRASHES OUT

In the "I need a beer" category falls Andreas Seppi and Jeremy Chardy, who both finished won their five-set matches almost instantaneously.

Seppi, the 21st seed, prevailed in a seesawing affair against 12th seed Marin Cilic, 6-7 6-3 2-6 6-4 6-2.

And Chardy provided the upset of the day, beating sixth seed Juan Martin del Potro after giving up a two sets to love lead.

Del Potro, whose record in five-setters is woeful, lived up to that billing by going down 6-3 6-3 6-7 3-6 6-3.

Jeremy Chardy provided the upset of day six when he downed No.6 seed Juan Martin del Potro. Source: Getty Images

5.27pm AEDT - MURRAY YET TO DROP A SET

Andy Murray is yet to drop a set en route to the fourth round, after dispatching Ricardas Berankis 6-3 6-4 7-5.

Berankis can lay claim to having taking the most games off the world No.3 so far this tournament, and broke the Brit when Murray served for the match at 5-4, but couldn't sustain the effort and was quickly broken back before Murray served it out.

Murray is guaranteed to play a Frenchman in the round of 16, with Gilles Simon and Gael Monfils set to clash later tonight.

And Jo-Wilfried Tsonga had an even easier time of it.

Two days after labouring through his win over Go Soeda, Tsonga steamrolled Blaz Kavcic 6-2 6-1 6-4 to set up another all-French clash against Richard Gasquet.

Considering the scoreline, Andy Murray's victory celebration was uncharacteristically exhuberant. Source: AFP

4.44pm AEDT

They say the best players in the world play the big moments well, and Andy Murray stayed true to the mantra to take a two sets to love lead against Ricardas Berankis.

Berankis was up to the task for most of the second set until the 10th game, when Murray pressed him on serve and broke the Lithuanian to win the set and move one step closer to a fourth-round berth.

If that match isn't doing much for you, try the one between sixth seed Juan Martin del Potro and Jeremy Chardy, which has just entered a fifth set after del Potro was earlier staring down a three-set whitewash.

And Jo-Wilfried Tsonga is mauling Blaz Kavcic on Margaret Court Arena, taking the first two sets 6-2 6-1.

Not that you can blame Kavcic after his almost five-hour epic against James Duckworth on Thursday.

4.19pm - LITTLE TOMIC PASSES FIRST TEST

If you believe in omens, you'll be pumped to know Bernard Tomic's little sister Sara has made a winning start at Melbourne Park, coming from a set down in her first-round girls' singles match.

The 14-year-old Queenslander made a nervous start against 17-year-old Gabriela Pantuckova, dropping the first set, but quickly found her feet to move into the second round with a 2-6 6-2 6-4 result.

Could the youngest Tomic be a lucky charm for big brother Bernie in his match against Roger Federer tonight? Fingers crossed.

Sara Tomic got the Tomic name on the winners' sheet on day six of the Australian Open, ahead of brother Bernard's clash with Roger Federer tonight. Source: Getty Images

4.01pm AEDT

Juan Martin del Potro has finally shown something against Jeremy Chardy, taking the third set in a tiebreak.

Chardy was looking the goods after winning the first two sets 6-3 6-3 but will now have to arrest the Argentine's growing momentum if he wants to see fourth-round action.

Meanwhile, Andy Murray isn't surprising anyone with his performance against Richard Berankis, winning the first set 6-3, although Berankis has started the second set well, with games on serve at 2-1.

3.42pm AEDT - VINCI EXITS IN THIRD ROUND

Elena Vesnina's stellar form to kick off 2013 continued out on Margaret Court Arena, where the Russian was too good for 16th seed Roberta Vinci.

Vinci started the stronger of the pair but Vesnina, who won the tournament in Hobart before the Open, came home with a wet sail to win 4-6 7-6 6-4.

3.17pm AEDT - GASQUET JOINS DAY SIX WINNERS

Richard Gasquet recovered from a slow start to beat Ivan Dodig in four sets.

Gasquet took a while to get going and dropped the first set 6-4 before switching gears to take the next three 6-3 7-6 6-0.

The Frenchman will now play the winner of the match between compatriot Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and marathon man Blaz Kavcic.

How many sets, Richard? Correct. Source: AFP

2.55pm AEDT - DEL POTRO IN TROUBLE

Argentine sixth seed Juan Martin del Potro will have to do it in five sets if he wants to see fourth-round action at the Australian Open.

The former US Open champ has dropped the first two sets to Jeremy Chardy 6-3 6-3 and is in danger of crashing out of the year's first grand slam.

And on Margaret Court Arena, women's 16th seed Roberta Vinci is locked at one set all against Elena Vesnina after dropping the second set in a tiebreak.

2.52pm AEDT - SERENA TRAIN GATHERS STEAM

Ayumi Morita at least gave Serena Williams some food for thought during their third-round match, racing to a 3-0 lead in the second set before the American freight train released the brakes.

Williams then won the next six games straight to wrap up the match 6-1 6-3.

If you're into stats, this mismatch don't look pretty.

Nine aces to zip, 29 winners to seven (but also 25 unforced errors to 12). Comprehensive? Yup.

2.15pm AEDT - WILLIAMS LAUNCHES 207KM/H BOMB

Serena Williams unloaded a monster 207km/h serve for the second time in the tournament on the way to taking the first set against Ayumi Morita.

Morita won the second game of the set but that was about it for the little Japanese, who was no match for Williams raw power and 16 winners.

The service cannon came on the second last point of the set as the world No.3 unleashed the full power of that big right arm for an ace down the middle.

Serena Williams hammers out another huge first serve on her way to winning the first set. Source: AP

2.08pm AEDT

The men's seeds are under fire on day six.

Sixth seed Juan Martin del Potro has just dropped the first set 6-3 to Frenchman Jeremy Chardy, while over on Show Court 3 Richard Gasquet, seeded nine, has leveled at a set all with world No.74 Ivan Dodig.

No such trouble for Serena Williams, who is running away with the first set against Ayumi Morita after a couple of tight early games, and now leads 4-1.

1.33pm AEDT - KUZI CONTINUES REVIVAL

Former top 10 player Svetlana Kuznetsova continues to show a fresh set of legs at this year's Open, beating Spaniard Carla Suarrez Navarro 6-2 4-6 6-3 for a spot in the round of 16.

1.26pm AEDT - AZARENKA TAKEN TO THREE

WORLD No.1 Victoria Azarenka escaped with an almighty fright in the third round of the Australian Open before prevailing in three sets against Jamie Hampton.

Azarenka was pushed every step of the way by the world No.63, who took the second set and broke Azarenka early in the third set to continue her push towards a career-best grand slam result.

But after receiving treatment in the third set for a back complaint, Hampton was again in some distress immediately after breaking serve in that game, and dropped the next five games to exit the tournament.

Victoria Azarenka loses her cool during her third-round match against Jamie Hampton. Source: AFP

1.15pm AEDT - KIRILENKO SETS UP POTENTIAL WILLIAMS DATE

Maria Kirilenko is the first player through to the fourth round of the Australian Open on day six, after seeing off German Yanina Wickmayer in straight sets.

The 14th seed secured the first set in a tiebreak before wrapping up the match 6-3 in the second.

Kirilenko will likely play Serena Williams in the next round, should Williams beat Ayumi Morita in the next match on Rod Laver Arena.

12.52pm AEDT - AZARENKA DROPS SECOND SET

Victoria Azarenka is under the pump out on Rod Laver Arena and has dropped the second set 6-4 against little-known American Jamie Hampton.

Azarenka saved two set points before breaking serve at 5-2, but couldn't repeat the dose when Hampton again served for the set at 5-4, spraying a forehand return wide to square the match away.

Adding to the drama, Hampton called for the trainer in the break immediately following Azarenka's tense service hold and appeared to be suffering problems with her lower back.

But she returned to the court and continued her surge to level the match at one set all.

12.44pm AEDT - AUSSIE SUCCESS IN MIXED

Their singles campaigns might have sunk quicker than the Titanic, but Jarmila Gajdosova and Matthew Ebden enjoyed a win in the first round of the mixed doubles on Show Court 3.

After securing the first set 8-6 in a nerve-jangling tiebreak, they walked away with the second 6-3 to ensure they wouldn't walk away from Melbourne Park without a win this fortnight.

Matthew Ebden and Jarmila Gajdosova finally have something to smile about at the Australian Open after winning their first-round mixed doubles match. Source: Getty Images

12.22pm AEDT

Tense stuff over on Hisense Arena, where Russian glamour girl Maria Kirilenko took the first set in a tiebreak against 20th seed Yanina Wickmayer.

12.18pm AEDT

Young American Jamie Hampton is taking it right up to world No.1 Victoria Azarenka.

After a late charge at the end of the first set she's come out gunning early in the second, trading shots with Azarenka and jumping to a 3-1 lead.

Jamie Hampton is giving Victoria Azarenka more than she bargained for in their third-round match. Source: Getty Images

12.03pm AEDT

World No.1 Victoria Azarenka has escaped with the first set 6-4 against American young gun Jamie Hampton on Rod Laver Arena.

Azarenka had a stranglehold on the first set up 4-1 before Hampton engaged the Belarusian in repeated baseline rallies forcing errors while opening the door for cold winners.

Hampton made the most of her opportunities breaking Azarenka's serve twice to cut the margin to 5-4.

But the defending champion responded, taking an early lead in the tenth game, before the world No.62 served a double fault to gifting her the set.

11.54am AEDT

Plucky American Jamie Hampton is putting up a fight breaking Belarusian Victoria Azarenka to cut the margin to 5-3 in the first set.

Hampton was down 4-1 before forcing Azarenka into an error to claim the all-important seventh game.

The 23-year-old American held her nerve to hold and stay alive in the first set on Rod Laver Arena.

Azarenka appears frustrated by her game, questioning the chair umpire, between games.

11.37am AEDT

Azarenka has a stranglehold on her third round match breaking world No.63 Hampton to lead 4-1 midway through the opening set.

But the little-known American has put up a fight forcing Azarenka into long baseline rallies while picking up a break point opportunity in the fifth game.

11.20am AEDT

We're underway at Melbourne Park with defending champion VIctoria Azarenka and Jamie Hampton locked on one game apiece.

The Belarusian is in full - screeching - voice under the open roof at Rod Laver Arena.

9.50am AEDT

GOOD morning and welcome to day six from Melbourne Park.

All eyes will be on Rod Laver Arena this morning, as Australian Open favourites, Victoria Azarenka, Serena Williams and Andy Murray do battle looking to progress to the fourth round.

Defending champion Azarenka kicks off proceedings on day six against American Jamie Hampton from 11am (AEDT).

The Belarusian has hardly missed this campaign only losing six games across four sets at Melbourne Park.

Williams is next up against world No.72 Ayumi Morita who should find the going tough against the Australian Open favourite looking to win her 16th Grand Slam.

Scot Andy Murray closes out the day session on Rod Laver Arena against little-known Lithuanian Ricardas Berankis before the much-anticipated clash between Bernard Tomic and Swiss ace Roger Federer.

Both players come into the match unbeaten in 2013, while Tomic is the last Australian left in the tournament.

FIVE OF THE BEST - the matches not to be missed

1. Bernard Tomic (Aus) v 2-Roger Federer (Sui)

Bernie's talked the talk, can he walk the walk against the master he idolised as a kid? The stage is set, young man. Kicking off the night session on RLA.

2. Kimiko Date-Krumm (Jpn) v Bojana Jovanovski (Srb)

Can Date-Krumm, the 42-year-old Japanese comeback queen, roll into the last 16? Shaping as the fairytale story of the Open. Fourth match on Show Court 2.

3. 14-Gilles Simon (Fre) v Gael Monfils (Fre)

An all-French night time showdown between two flashy stroke players. Oddly, just the fifth time they've met. Kicking off the night session on Hisense Arena.

4. 7-Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (Fre) v Blaz Kavcic (Slo)

Kavcic needed fluid and "muscle relaxants" pumped into his veins after his five-set epic win in the 40-degree heat. Let's see how he handles another day in the Aussie sun. Third match of the day on Margaret Court Arena.

5. 29-Sloane Stephens (USA) v Laura Robson (GBR)

Two of the brightest teenage talents in the sport, who carry the hopes of their huge nations. Neither will get a better opportunity to leap into the last 16 of a slam. Third match on Show Court 2.

SCHEDULE

Rod Laver Arena - from 11am

1-Victoria Azarenka (BLR) v Jamie Hampton (USA)
3-Serena Williams (USA) v Ayumi Morita (JPN)
Ricardas Berankis (LTU) v 3-Andy Murray (GBR)

From 7pm

Bernard Tomic (AUS) v 2-Roger Federer (SUI)

Hisense Arena - from11am

20-Yanina Wickmayer (BEL) v 14-Maria Kirilenko (RUS)
6-Juan Martin Del Potro (ARG) v Jeremy Chardy (FRA)
10-Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) v Lesia Tsurenko (UKR)

From 7pm

14-Gilles Simon (FRA) v Gael Monfils (FRA)

Margaret Court Arena - Not before noon

Elena Vesnina (RUS) v 16-Roberta Vinci (ITA)
7-Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) v Blaz Kavcic (SLO)

Show Court 2 - from 11am

Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) v Carla Suarez Navarro (SPA)
21-Andreas Seppi (ITA) v 12-Marin Cilic (CRO)
29-Sloane Stephens (USA) v Laura Robson (GBR)
Kimiko Date-Krumm (JPN) v Bojana Jovanovski (SRB)

Show Court 3 - Not before noon

Ivan Dodig (CRO) v 9-Richard Gasquet (FRA)
13-Milos Raonic (CAN) v 17-Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER)

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Rare whale shark sighting at City Beach

A WHALE shark was spotted in a rare sighting off City Beach this afternoon.

Surf Life Saving WA spokesman Josh Walker said the seven to eight metre shark was spotted about 500m offshore of City Beach at 2pm.

It was last seen heading north past Floreat Beach.

Mr Walker said a spike in local water temperature had most likely prompted its rare journey this far south.

"We had a couple (of whale sharks) spotted last year, this warmer water is bringing them down," he said.

Perth sightings are uncommon, with the Marine Parks WA website suggesting whale sharks are more likely to be found in Shark Bay or Kalbarri at this time of year, if at all.
 

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Fears for missing Goldfields prospector

WA Police and State Emergency Service volunteers have been searching for Michael Keith Graham since Tuesday. Source: PerthNow

MISSING: As the search for Michael Graham continues today. police released these images of the camp site, or last known point for Mr Graham. Source: PerthNow

LAST KNOWN SITE: The search for Michael Graham is continuing today. Source: PerthNow

THE search for a missing prospector in Menzies will continue for a fifth day tomorrow.

WA Police and State Emergency Service volunteers have been searching for Michael Keith Graham, 46, since Tuesday afternoon.

Mr Graham was last seen on Sunday.

Police will continue their search for as long as possible tonight while SES volunteers will return to the search area at first light tomorrow morning.

Police said this afternoon a crew on board a helicopter identified a number of mine shafts in the area which will be searched further.

Nearby mining company Norton Gold Fields Paddington Operations have provided a specialist emergency response team to help with the search of the mine shafts.

The Shire of Menzies is also providing logistical support while local contractors have provided specialist equipment.

 

Bush camp photographs clue

Police yesterday issued photographs of a bush camp as they continue the search. 

Photographs of the site where Mr Graham was believed to have been staying show his abandoned car, tent and belongings.

It is not known if Mr Graham has access to food, water and shelter, and police said there were serious concerns for his safety because his supplies were still with his vehicle.

Police went to his campsite Tuesday afternoon and found his vehicle, but officers could not find the prospector.

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Murder accused has support in court

A MAN has appeared in court today charged with the murder of convicted drug trafficker Stephen Cookson, whose severed head was found in a bag on Rottnest Island.

Aaron Carlino, 28, of Guildford was charged by detectives late last night following a series of searches in Perth's southern suburbs.

Mr Carlino appeared before the Perth Magistrates Court this morning, but was not required to enter a plea.

The 28-year-old has been accused of murdering Cookson in East Perth on December 15 and will next appear in Stirling Gardens Magistrates Court on Wednesday February 6 via video link.

About six people were in the public gallery to support Mr Carlino, including a woman with a baby. PerthNow understands the woman was most likely his twin sister and her child.

Mr Carlino, who went to Chisholm College in Inglewood, doesn't have any children.

Forensics scour holiday property

Yesterday, a large team descended on a property in Golden Bay, 60km south of Perth, as they continued to hunt for clues, and the rest of Cookson's body.

Officers also searched the nearby Silver Sands beach after a member of the public reported what could be human flesh on the beach.

The object was being tested to confirm whether it was human or marine.

A forensic team is also believed to have searched another property near Mandurah as part of the investigation.
Part of Cookson's remains were discovered on Rottnest Island by an 11-year-old girl earlier this month, who was beachcombing with her family at Porpoise Bay.

It has been reported the 56-year-old, who was a disliked figure within the WA racing industry, was believed to have been murdered in his East Perth apartment in Hay Street about a fortnight before Christmas.

Cookson was convicted in WA in 2000 on one count of possessing a quantity of heroin with intent to sell or supply.

He unsuccessfully appealed that conviction all the way to the High Court.

In 2005, Cookson was fined $5000 for improper conduct by WA racing authorities, for assaulting a former horse owner, Peter Graham, breaking his nose.

Cookson had been due to appear in the Perth District Court today on a charge of possession of methylamphetamine with intent to sell or supply.

As the investigations continued, Tom Percy QC, who represented Cookson some years ago, said he remembered the convicted drug trafficker as a "charming, well spoken, articulate fellow".

Cookson was heavily involved in the drug industry, Mr Percy said.

"It just shows there is a drug underworld in Perth, there are some very nasty people here," he said.

"It is not idle threats. You cross some of these people, you end up dead in a bag on the other side of Rottnest. That is quite terrifying.

"With the way drug laws are in WA it is coming to that. It is because we have the toughest drug laws in Australia and that makes drugs extremely precious.

"We have descended down to the underbelly that they have in Melbourne - we have come of age."

The remains of Cookson, 56, were discovered on the island by an 11-year-old girl earlier this month, who was beachcombing with her family at Porpoise Bay on the southeast of the island.

A long-time member of the seamier side of the racing industry in Victoria and WA, Cookson was convicted in WA in 2000 on one count of possessing a quantity of heroin with intent to sell or supply.

He unsuccessfully appealed that conviction all the way to the High Court.

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Life and crimes of seedy racing figure

The man's head was found in a bag on Rottnest Island on Sunday January 6. Source: PerthNow

A former racehorse owner has said he knew the head found on Rottnest Island was that of Stephen Cookson.

WEST Australian police are still refusing to officially confirm the identity of the severed head washed up on Rottnest Island as racing identity and convicted drug user Stephen Cookson.

Cookson, who has a long criminal history including heroin convictions in Germany, has been widely identified as the man whose remains were found by holidaymakers last weekend.

WA police were today still struggling to contact Cookson's relatives in the eastern states, despite reports it was his head inside a bag on the beach.

A long-time habitue of the seamier side of the racing industry in Victoria and WA, Cookson was convicted in WA in 2000 on one count of being in possession of a quantity of heroin with intent to sell or supply.

He unsuccessfully appealed that conviction all the way to the High Court, where the former law student chose to represent himself.

In 2005, Cookson was fined $5000 for improper conduct, after assaulting a former horse owner Peter Graham and breaking his nose. That fine was unsuccessfully appealed.

Mr Graham told the media he had an inkling the head in the bag was Cookson's, or "Cookie'' as he was known in Victorian racing circles.

"The missing teeth and the beard were telltale details and I knew Cookson had not been seen for a while,'' Graham said.

"I even contacted a former, prominent racing investigator to make sure the coppers got the message.

"He was capable of anything if he didn't get his own way,'' Graham said.

"One time we argued over a horse yard in a stable we were sharing. I insisted the yard was mine. Cookson disagreed and did his block. Two days later I found my horse dead in the yard.''

A self-appointed "equine consultant'', Cookson had been due to appear in the Perth District Court this Friday on a charge of possession of methylamphetamine with intent to sell or supply.

Mr Cookson's lawyer Linda Black said she could not divulge any details as she is also acting for one of Mr Cookson's fellow accused, Lejla Tresnjo.

The head was found by an 11-year-old girl on the beach at Porpoise Bay on the southeast of the island last Sunday.

She's believed to have opened the plastic bag and seen a human ear.

Police later confirmed the head belonged to a caucasian male, possibly aged between 30 and 60 years.

Forensic officers then spent the weekend searching an apartment at the Quattro complex on Hay Street in East Perth, while also investigating a nearby hotel and TAB.

Seven of the man's upper front teeth were missing - and had been for some time - but the man did not wear a plate or dentures, forensics have revealed. His remaining teeth were also in a poor condition.

The discovery is being treated as a murder.

People with information are asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Callers may remain anonymous.

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Federal MP convicted of $100,000 fraud

FORMER Federal MP Peter Shack has been convicted of stealing $100,000 from a family trust.

The Liberal member for the WA seat of Tangney from 1977 to 1993 had claimed during his trial that his mother-in-law agreed to lend him the money in 2004 for an investment.

He claimed she wanted to keep the loan a secret from her children to avoid jealousy.

However today a jury in the Perth District Court found Shack guilty after deliberating for several hours.

He will be sentenced in April.

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US must lead Middle East peace talks

Australian and British leaders in Perth as part of the AUKMIN summit today. Source: PerthNow

Australian and British leaders in Perth as part of the AUKMIN summit today. Source: PerthNow

THE United States must be a leader in facilitating 'urgent' progress for peace in the Middle East, Australian and British leaders in Perth said today.

British Foreign Secretary William Hague, Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Bob Carr, British Defence Secretary Philip Hammond and Australian Defence Minister Stephen Smith issued a communique after the annual Australia/UK Ministerial (AUKMIN) summit in Perth today.

They said the Palestinians and Israelis needed to sit down for "negotiations without preconditions''.

Mr Carr said the US needed to lead a major effort this year to achieve a negotiated two-state solution with a secure Israel alongside a Palestinian state.

"There must be an urgent, concentrated effort and only the United States has the capacity and the authority and the influence that will bring this to fruition,'' he said.

"But it's in the interest of the region and the interests of the world that the cycle of violence in the Middle East over Arab-Israel conflict is brought to a peaceful end.''

Mr Hague said "the alignment of circumstances'', including the Israeli election coming to an end next week, the US elections now over and the political situation in the Middle East becoming more difficult, meant now was the time for action.

"That requires a particularly strong international effort,'' he said.

"We lay no criticism or blame on previous attempts that have not been successful - it's been right to attempt it - but I do think it requires the US administration to be a strong leader and other countries to support it.''

Mr Carr agreed that both countries acknowledged the "hard slog'' so far but time was running out.

The UK and Australia also jointly called for the Israelis to halt settlement activity, labelling it illegal under international law and said it undermined prospects for peace.

The ministers also condemned the violence in Syria and continued to call on President Assad to step aside so that peaceful political transition could occur.

"We support the efforts of the Joint Special Representative of the UN and the Arab League, Lakhdar Brahimi, to end the violence in Syria and bring about a process of political transition,'' the communique said.

"We shared concerns about the stockpile of chemical weapons in Syria and agreed that any use of these weapons would be unacceptable.

"We will maintain pressure on the Assad regime never to use these weapons and to take all responsible measures to keep the weapons secure.''

They also shared concerns over the nature of Iran's nuclear program and the threat it posed to regional stability and security, calling on the country to comply with resolutions of the United Nations Security Council and International Atomic Energy Agency.

Both also voted not to oppose enhanced Palestinian status in the UN and called on the Palestinian Authority to exercise restraint and avoid provocative actions at international forums.

"Australia and the United Kingdom urge the Palestinians to resolve their internal differences, unite for peace and cease acts of violence against Israel,'' they said in the communique.

"In particular, we call for the Palestinians to abide by the terms of the Gaza ceasefire and to stop all rocket attacks.''

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