Harris jury considering verdict

The jury in the Rolf Harris trial has been asked to deliver true verdicts 'whatever the consequences.'

THE jury in the long-running Rolf Harris trial has now retired to consider its verdict on his 12 charges of indecently assaulting four women from 1968 to 1986.

After seven weeks of hearing evidence from almost 100 witnesses including live Skype testimony from Australia and the US, the six man and six woman jury left Southwark Crown Court's Room 2 at 12.15pm local time to consider all that they've heard and the folios of evidence they had been handed.

Judge Nigel Sweeney reminded them of their obligations. He said there would inevitably be debate in their deliberations but they should listen to each other and then reach verdicts of all they would agree. He said he wanted unanimous verdicts for each of the 12 charges.

Earlier in the day, Judge Sweeney summarised the evidence presented by one alleged victim Sydney woman Tonya Lee who detailed how she had been assaulted by Harris when as a 15-year-old in 1986 she travelled to London with a performing troupe. She had claimed been left terrified and crying after he groped her at a table in a pub then indecently assaulted her again outside the pub's toilets.

Guilty or innocent? ... Rolf Harris leaves Southwark Crown Court in London. Picture: Justin Tallis Source: AFP

Her credibility had been challenged by Harris lawyers after it was revealed she had been paid $44,000 by Channel 9 and another $22,000 by the Bauer Media Group for an article in Woman's Day. Celebrity publicist Max Markson arranged the interviews for a 20 per cent cut of the money.

Judge Sweeney also reminded the jury about how Ms Lee's credibility was challenged by Harris when she lied to police about having done a deal with the media.

The judge also raised the issue of how the performing troupe's director Cathy Henkel, now an acclaimed documentary maker, recalled how she felt "pressurised" by Harris' brother and manager Bruce Harris over what she would tell police about events on that 1986 tour. Judge Sweeney said Bruce Harris later denied trying to "nobble" the witness.

The trial had taken longer than expected with considerable legal argument over admissibility over certain pieces or evidence and rules of law as well as other judicial commitments in other courts for the prosecutor Sasha Wass QC and the judge himself who sits on various terrorism trials.

Hoping to be cleared innocent ... the Australian artist and entertainer, his niece Jenny (left) and daughter Bindi (right), leave Southwark Crown Court in London. Picture: Justin Tallis Source: AFP

On the eve of closing the defence case last Wednesday, Harris' defence barrister Sonia Woodley QC took ill and was subsequently hospitalised for two days and has not since returned to court leaving her junior barrister Simon Ray to step up.

Even the jury's deliberations will now still be delayed with one juror to undergo a medical procedure that cannot be delayed so after today they cannot reconvene again until after 2pm Friday local time leaving the strong likelihood they will return again first thing Monday to continue deliberations.

Generally, juries submit hand written questions to the court to reaffirm certain evidence during their deliberations but this jury has consistently been formally questioning both prosecution and defence counsels throughout the case, at one stage submitting four formal requests in one day.

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Buswell bin tip ‘never followed up’

Former treasurer Troy Buswell fronts the media for first time since crashing his ministerial car in February. Source: News Corp Australia

A SECURITY guard reported seeing Troy Buswell empty a bin full of bottles in the basement of a government building the morning he crashed his car,a parliamentary committee report has revealed.

Police were made aware of the sighting, but it did not appear it was followed up, the inquiry found.

The committee that examined the police investigation into Mr Buswell's late-night car crashes has concluded the response was inadequate.

Mr Buswell quit cabinet following revelations he had a mental breakdown after crashing into parked cars, a pole and the front gate of his Subiaco home while returning from a wedding in the early hours of February 23.

The damaged front of Troy Buswell's ministerial car, which was towed away for further police examination. Picture: Nine News

Before Mr Buswell returned to parliament as a backbencher last month, he told reporters he had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and depression, but refused to answer whether he was drunk when the crashes occurred.

The inquiry also revealed the bizarre sighting of Mr Buswell by a security guard at Dumas House – where the then-treasurer worked – in the early hours of February 23.

The committee said it was appropriate that Department of Premier and Cabinet director general Peter Conran had "in a timely fashion" made police aware of the sighting.

"It does, however, appear that this was never followed up by police," the committee said in its report.

"Given ongoing questions about where Mr Buswell went immediately after the wedding reception and where he parked his car, this lack of follow-up is perplexing."

The report says police ordered CCTV footage from Dumas House parking areas, including the garaged area, between 10pm on February 22 and 2am on February 23.

Premier Colin Barnett told Parliament today CCTV was handed over to the police but there was no vision of the Vasse MP emptying anything into a bin.

The opposition-instigated inquiry examined matters including how police investigated the crashes on the night, the subsequent conduct of the investigation and collection of evidence, the decision to prosecute and the charges laid.

Mr Buswell was fined $3100 and disqualified from driving for one year after he admitted to 11 traffic offences committed during the ill-fated journey, but did not face drink-driving charges because he was not breathalysed on the night.

Police went to Mr Buswell's home following a tip off from a member of the public who reported seeing a man who resembled the treasurer barely able to stand as he struggled to get into the property.

But when they arrived, the lights were off, the gate was closed and no-one was around.

The traffic offence charges including failing to stop after an accident were only laid after the scandal was exposed in the media.

"The Committee has come to the conclusion that there was a systemic failure at a number of levels on the evening," the report on the inquiry read.

"There was an inadequate police response; Dignitary Protection were unaware of the then state Treasurer's car registration or home address; police subsequently let any investigation lapse and left it to the media to join the dots."

The committee said police did not make the connection between the report of erratic driving outside Mr Buswell's home and the smashed cars parked in nearby streets.

"No follow-up occurred between the taking of these initial reports and media reports which surfaced some weeks later," the committee said.

"Only at that time, when police came under public scrutiny, did they spring into action.

"By that time, however, long after the event, any deficiencies in the original investigation could not readily be corrected."

The committee said the investigation was then conducted under the false assumption that no charges could be laid in the absence of a breathalyser reading.

But traffic police didn't cop the blame for not knowing the house they visited was Mr Buswell's residence and that he was behind the wheel of the erratically driven Holden Caprice because it was up to the government's dignitary protection unit to maintain and update adequate records on such matters.

And because they initially did not know they were looking into the conduct of a minister, police could not be accused of treating the incident more leniently.

"The police were let down by an unsophisticated communications system which did not reveal connections between events which were clearly linked," the committee concluded.

"The police investigation was then hampered by the refusal of the Member for Vasse to be interviewed."

The committee said one of the most concerning findings of the inquiry was that drink drivers had been sent the message they could evade a conviction if they laid low.

WA Police Commissioner Karl O'Callaghan has rejected the committee's finding of a systemic failure on the night of the incident.

"The police did what they did based on the information they had on the night," he said.

Mr O'Callaghan also noted dissent in the committee after deputy chairman, Liberal MP Ian Britza, said he tendered the "minority report" with great reluctance.

Premier Colin Barnett said it was time to let Mr Buswell get on with recovering from bipolar disorder and depression.

But Labor leader Mark McGowan said questions remained about revelations about the security guard's sighting of Mr Buswell at Dumas House.

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Sattler sues former employer

Howard Sattler is suing his former employer Fairfax Media for unfair dismissal. Source: News Limited

HOWARD Sattler has sued his former employer Fairfax Media for unfair dismissal after Perth's 6PR sacked the shock jock for asking Julia Gillard if her partner was gay.

Sattler's lawyer, Nick Stagg of Lavan Legal, said the writ had been filed in the WA Supreme Court this week but was yet to be served on the media company.

Sattler flagged the action after he was terminated in June last year, saying he had been unfairly dismissed because the former prime minister had known it was going to be a candid interview and he still had six months left on his contract.

Howard Sattler was sacked by 6PR after he asked then-Prime Minister Julia Gillard if her partner was gay. Picture: File image Source: News Limited

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Gym member couldn’t find baby’s pulse

Police have launched a murder inquiry into the death of a baby girl in Perths south-east

THE father of a baby girl is being questioned by homicide detectives after a murder inquiry was launched into her "suspicious" death in Perth's south-east last night.

It is understood the girl's mother found the 11-month-old baby and the child's father unconscious in their home in Pricklybark Street in Harrisdale about 10pm last night.

The distraught mother took the child to the car park of Jetts Gym on Ranford Road in Canning Vale and called St John Ambulance.

Witness Ryan Shreeve, who was at the gym at the time, told Nine News he rushed to act on instinct and "did what I could".

Police at the Pricklybark Street, Harrisdale address where they are investigating the suspicious death of an 11-month-old baby. Picture: Theo Fakos

"I instantly dialled 000, talked to emergency services, gave them where I was, and proceeded to check the baby's pulse ... and there was nothing there," he said.

"The look in the mother's eyes ... I just wanted to ensure that this baby left alive, I knew this was not right, this was not good

Mr Shreeve told reporters he tried to console the baby's mother, but she was inconsolable.

Jetts Gym at Canning Vale where the baby was taken by the mother for help late last night. Picture Theo Fakos

"I've got kids ... it was just surreal and it will be something that will be etched in my head for a long time. Last night I couldn't sleep just thinking about what else and the whats and the ifs ... so it was pretty hard," he said.

The child was pronounced dead a short time later at nearby Armadale hospital.

Neighbours say they saw a man being dragged unconscious from the house between 10 and 11pm.

They said the suburban street smelled of gas.

The man, understood to be the baby's father, was taken to Royal Perth Hospital but was discharged this morning. He is now assisting police.

The Major Crime Squad is investigating the child's death.

Detectives door-knocked houses in the quiet street this morning.

Forensic investigators blocked off the street to examine the scene and were still there tonight collecting evidence.

Neighbours say the quiet couple had lived in the house for about a year.

Nine News reported that witnesses saw the baby girl and her father at their home earlier in the day, but nothing seemed out of the ordinary. The next time they saw the house firefighters were at the scene and the street smelled of gas.

Nine News reported police were not ruling out the possibility the tragedy was a murder-suicide bid. Neighbours say the couple had lived in the country for about six years and travelled to and from Malaysia.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 13 14 44.

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WA health system blamed for deaths

A Tasmanian jury has found a former WA man not guilty of murdering his parents on the grounds of insanity.

Professor Gavin Mooney outside his Tasmanian home. Source: News Limited

Dr Delys Weston who died at the hands of her mentally ill son. Source: News Limited

THE family of a mentally ill man who bludgeoned his mother and stepfather to death have blamed failures by Western Australia's health system for the tragedy.

Nicolau Francisco Soares, 29, killed renowned academics Delys Weston and Gavin Mooney with a hammer and block-splitter at their southern Tasmanian property in December 2012.

Soares was on Thursday found not guilty on the grounds of insanity by a Tasmanian Supreme Court jury after a trial lasting three-and-a-half days.

Outside the court his brother, Alex Soares, became emotional as he criticised the WA health service in a prepared statement.

"We love and support our brother Nick," Alex Soares told reporters.

"We understand that what has happened is a direct result of, one, his untreated mental illness and, two, the failures of the West Australian mental health system."

Mr Soares accused health workers of ignoring the family's pleas for treatment.

He said the family had been aware of his brother's symptoms, including paranoia and delusions, and that he had stopped taking his medication.

"We were the ones who pleaded with Nick's treating team for an increased level of care," Mr Soares said.

"Despite our parents' unwavering love for our brother and absolute resolve to getting him help, we were ignored and cut out of his treatment.

"How could this have happened?

"What a tragedy that it ultimately cost the lives of two remarkable Australians, two loving parents ... to get their son the help they knew he needed."

The jury took little over an hour to reach their verdict.

Prosecutor Linda Mason had joined Soares's lawyer Rochelle Mainwaring in urging they find he was not criminally responsible for the horrific killings.

"As gruesome as the killings were perhaps provides the best insight we will ever get into Mr Soares' thought processes at the time," Ms Mason said.

Soares showed no emotion as the verdicts were announced, glancing briefly at family members in the gallery.

The court heard he had a history of schizophrenia dating back to 2006 and had been involuntarily hospitalised three times in WA.

He had gone to stay with his parents, who moved to Mountain River south of Hobart in 2011, while still a client of a WA clinic but after a community treatment order had lapsed.

His delusions led him to believe he was destined to join the army's special forces to learn skills to fight government surveillance and a coming apocalypse.

Soares decided to kill the couple when he overheard a phone conversation between one of them and a pharmacist requesting medication.

He believed the medication was poison and he would be hospitalised again, meaning he wouldn't be able to join the army.

"He was in the grips of his schizophrenic illness ... which, with devastating result, deprived him of knowing the difference between right and wrong," Ms Mainwaring said.

Justice David Porter ordered two psychiatrist reports and remanded Soares in custody until his next court appearance in July.

Western Australia's health department has been contacted for comment.

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Harris verdict must be unanimous

Rolf Harris' lawyer says his good reputation has been savaged during his child sex trial.

ROLF Harris' guilt or innocence on 12 counts of indecent assault will have to be determined with a unanimous verdict, a London court has heard.

In given directions to the six man, six woman jury in the 84-year-old's trial, Judge Nigel Sweeney said he will not accept a majority rule but rather only a unanimous verdict on each of the 12 indictments.

He said they could find Harris guilty or innocent on all 12 or on some of the 12 but a decision on each had to be agreed to by all 12 jurors.

In a lengthy address, Judge Sweeney reminded the jury of their duty as "judges of the evidence" and said he hoped they could "see the wood for the trees and recognise a red herring when you see one and ignore it".

Awaiting his fate ... Rolf Harris arrives at Southwark Crown Court in London. Picture: Alastair Grant Source: AP

He said the defendant relied strongly on his good character and asserted he did not commit any of the offences alleged although accepted he did have sexual contact with one victim but that did not start until she was 18.

The prosecution, he said, relied on so many women having given evidence from Britain, Australia, New Zealand and Malta and said there was no reason for any or so many to lie about alleged assaults, for no reason.

Prosecutor Sasha Wass QC has launched a scathing critique of Rolf Harris in his sex abuse trial in London.

He said it was up to the jury to decide on evidence what was more truthful. He instructed it could be, as the prosecution had asserted, the evidence from one independent witness was supportive of the other independent witness then taken collectively it was less likely to explain away as coincidental lies.

He said the jury could view the evidence in this way.

His summing up is expected to continue tomorrow with direction on the evidence on two central alleged victims who make up the bulk of the indictments before the jury will be discharged to reach a verdict.

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Two senior bikies on drugs charges

The Gang Crime Squad has charged a senior member of the Bandidos bikie gang over a high-speed police chase.

THE two most senior members in the Bandidos bikie gang in WA are facing drugs charges, with one getting arrested last week following a high speed car chase.

PerthNow can reveal the president and the vice president of the WA chapter of the Bandidos bikie gang are before the courts on drug related charges.

A 38-year-old man was granted bail this morning when he faced the Fremantle Magistrate's Court, following his arrest at Perth Airport last night.

Police sources say he is the president of the Bandidos in WA.

He has been charged with possessing a prohibited drug with intent to sell or supply and will face court again next month.

The 38-year-old man's arrest followed the arrest of another man following an alleged high speed car chase in Munster last week.

A still image from Police Air Wing vision, showing the target vehicle being stopped and surrounded by police officers. Source: Supplied

The 40-year-old man from East Riverton, who sources say is the Bandidos vice president, was arrested last Thursday after he allegedly led police on a wild car chase which reached speeds of 200km/h.

It's also alleged he threw items out of the car window during the chase.

He has been charged with a string of drug and driving offences. He faced court last week and was refused bail, and he will front court again on June 20.

PerthNow first revealed the presence of the Bandidos in WA last October after it took over the Rock Machine bikie gang in a "patch over" deal.

The Bandidos emerged in Australia more than 30 years ago following a split from another notorious bikie gang, the Comancheros.

In addition to the Bandidos, there are another eight outlaw motorcycle gangs in WA today.

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‘Bogus blip’ that foiled MH370 search

As it has unfolded, the mystery of missing flight MH370 and the incredible twists and turns in world news coverage.

THE search for the missing Malaysian Flight MH370 is yet to target the most likely crash site, having been distracted by what is now believed to have been a bogus signal, British company Inmarsat claims.

Inmarsat's scientists told the BBC's Horizon program that they had calculated the plane's most likely flight path and a "hotspot" in the southern Indian Ocean in which it most likely came down.

100 DAYS ON: FAMILIES DESPERATE FOR ANSWERS

Picture: Getty Images Source: Getty Images

The flight lost contact on March 8 en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing with total of 239 passengers and crew on board.

Hourly pings sent by the plane were received by Inmarsat's spacecraft, leading scientists to calculate its likely path. Australian naval vessel Ocean Shield was dispatched to investigate, but before reaching the likely site, began to detect a signal that it believed was coming from the plane's black box, Inmarsat told the BBC program.

The Australian vessel Ocean Shield has headed up the MH370 search. Picture: AP Source: AP

Two months were spent searching 850 sq km of sea bed northwest of Perth, but the source of the "pings" was not found and a submersible robot found no evidence of the airliner.

"It was by no means an unrealistic location, but it was further to the northeast than our area of highest probability," Chris Ashton at Inmarsat told Horizon.

Experts from the satellite firm modelled the most likely flight path using the hourly pings and assuming a speed and heading consistent with the plane being flown by autopilot.

A US Navy MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter from Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 78, which was involved in the search in March. Picture: Getty Images Source: Getty Images

"We can identify a path that matches exactly with all those frequency measurements and with the timing measurements and lands on the final arc at a particular location, which then gives us a sort of a hotspot area on the final arc where we believe the most likely area is," explained Ashton.

After coming under criticism from relatives over the futile search, Malaysia's civil aviation authority and Inmarsat last month decided to release the raw data.

However, its complexity has led to few independent conclusions being drawn about the likely crash site.

Malaysian Selamat Umar, whose son Mohamad Khairul Amri was on the ill-fated jetliner, questioned the motives behind the data release.

"I am not convinced at all by the data," he said."Why are they releasing it now? Before when we asked for it, they did not want to release it. What can we do with it now?

"I think they could have made some changes to the data," Selamat, 60, added.

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Perth named in world’s top 10

Kings Park & Botanic Garden in Perth has been named the best park in Australia. Source: News Corp Australia

THERE'S no need to head to New York, Paris or Barcelona - one of the world's top parks is right here in Perth.

Kings Park and Botanic Garden has been ranked the sixth best in the world, according to the latest rankings from TripAdvisor, based on the opinions of travellers on the international review site.

At No.6, the Perth attraction beat other well-known tourist sites including Park Guell in Barcelona (No.7) and Luxembourg Gardens in Paris (No.10).

The world's top park was Stanley Park in Vancouver, followed by the Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs and New York City's Central Park.

The Perth park's views and open space have been a consistent hit with TripAdvisor reviewers, being rated a "must-do" for a visit to the WA capital.

Kings Park ranks as the sixth best park in the world according to TripAdvisor reviewers. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: News Limited

"Having travelled widely I have to say that I can't stay away from Kings Park. Such a beautiful place and the views across the city, particularly at night are simply breathtaking," wrote SimonHat from Middlesbrough in the UK.

"Perth should be proud of this wonderful place," wrote PestoKing from Wodonga, Victoria. "You could spend hours here, next time we will."

WA minister for the environment and heritage Albert Jacob said it was great that tourists were enjoying the garden overlooking inner-city Perth.

"We are thrilled to not only be ranked sixth in the world in TripAdvisor's Travellers' Choice Awards for Attractions, but also to read the amazing reviews posted on TripAdvisor by visitors from all over the world every day," he said.

"Kings Park is a place of inspiration, relaxation, recreation and wonder; something we proudly share with interstate and overseas visitors."

WA destination named Australia's best holiday

The Australian War Memorial in Canberra as been named Australia's top landmark. Source: ThinkStock

Meanwhile, the Australian War Memorial was named the nation's top landmark.

The Canberra attraction was the only Australian entry in the world's top 20.

In a list dominated by some of the world's most recognised wonders - including Machu Picchu, the Taj Mahal and Angkor Wat - the Australian War Memorial ranked an impressive No.17.

The site's collection of artefacts and touching tributes, along with its free entry, earn high praise among TripAdvisor reviewers.

"I'm not a great one for museums but this was spellbinding and very moving," wrote reviewer compost51 from Leeds in the UK. "Reading the personal stories of loss and courage were humbling."

"We spent 1 and half days there, STILL not long enough because there is so much to see, and stuff you really need to see more than once," wrote RanDan261 from Perth.

Recent visitors to the Australian War Memorial, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Prince William and Catherine with Rear Admiral Ken Doolan AO RAN (Ret'd). Picture: Gary Ramage Source: News Corp Australia

Australian War Memorial marketing manager Kate Still said being noted in the TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice awards was an honour.

"Australians and visitors from around the world are commemorating the World War I centenary activity and are increasingly visiting the memorial, one of the world's great museums, as a central point for those commemorations," she said.

Review: A visit to the Australian War Memorial

Top 10 Travellers' Choice Australian parks

Top 10 Travellers' Choice world parks

1. Stanley Park, Vancouver, Canada

Stanley Park in Vancouver is the best park in the world according to TripAdvisor reviewers. Source: ThinkStock

2. Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs, USA

3. Central Park, New York City, USA

4. Millennium Park, Chicago, USA

5. High Line, New York City, USA

6. Kings Park & Botanic Garden, Perth, Australia

7. Park Guell, Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona's Park Guell doesn't rate as highly as Perth's Kings Park. Source: ThinkStock

8. Ibirapuera Park, Sao Paulo, Brazil

9. Retiro Park (Parque del Retiro), Madrid, Spain

10. Luxembourg Gardens, Paris, France

Top 10 Travellers' Choice Australian landmarks

Top 10 Travellers' Choice world landmarks

1. Machu Picchu, Peru

2. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

3. Taj Mahal, Agra, India

India's most famous landmark, the Taj Mahal, comes in at No.3 on the international list. Source: ThinkStock

4. Great Cathedral and Mosque, Cordoba, Spain

5. St Peter's Basilica, Vatican City, Italy

6. Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, Cambodia

7. Bayon Temple, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Bayon Temple in Cambodia is one of the two Cambodian landmarks to make the top 10 list. Source: ThinkStock

8. Church of Our Saviour on Spilled Blood, St Petersburg, Russia

9. Gettysburg National Military Park, Gettysburg, USA

10. Ancient City Walls, Dubrovnik, Croatia

11. Shwedagon Pagoda, Yangon (Rangoon), Myanmar

Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, Myanmar, is among the big hits with international tourists. Source: ThinkStock

12. Lincoln Memorial and Reflecting Pool, Washington DC, USA

13. Petra World Heritage Site, Wadi Musa, Jordan

14. Great Wall at Mutianyu, Beijing, China

15. Ancient City of Ephesus, Selcuk, Turkey

The ancient city of Ephesus in Turkey is among the many historical landmarks on the list. Source: ThinkStock

16. The Alhambra, Granada, Spain

17. Australian War Memorial, Canberra, Australia

18. Siena Cathedral, Siena, Italy

19. Milan Cathedral (Duomo), Milan, Italy

20. Basilica of the Sagrada Familia, Barcelona, Spain

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High winds, heavy rain lash Perth, South West

EMERGENCY services answered more than 40 calls for help as a cold front hit the Perth metropolitan area and South West today.

Gusts over 100km/h and heavy rainfall have buffeted southern WA today as a severe cold front swept over.

The severe weather warning for Perth has now been cancelled but a second warning remains in place tonight for parts of southern WA, from Margaret River to Bremer Bay, including people in or near Mt Barker and Albany.

Damage was reported in Busselton, Bunbury and Augusta, as well as the Perth metro area, and State Emergency Service volunteers are responding on a priority basis.

The maximum temperature peaked at 18C just after 11am before the front hit Perth and to 7pm, 35.4mm had fallen in the Bureau of Meteorology's Mt Lawley gauge.

Heavy rain started falling in the city just after 11am, with showers hitting the southern suburbs earlier in the morning.

Since 9am, Rottnest Island recorded 39.8mm of rain, as well as a 106km/h gust just after midday, while Mandurah had 21.8.4mm and Garden Island recorded 32.4mm.

This afternoon the hills suburb of Bickley copped more than 40mm and the mercury maxed out at just 15.2C shortly after 11am.

LIVE TRAFFIC UPDATES

WILD WEATHER IN PERTH

Motorists should be aware of treacherous conditions on Perth roads today. Source: News Corp Australia

In WA's South West, strong winds buffeting the southern capes from early this morning, with repeated gusts over 100km/h recorded at Busselton and Cape Naturaliste.

A gust of 111km/h hit Busselton Jetty at 9.41am as the squally cold front delivered high winds as it crossed the coast.

Since 9am today, Busselton recorded over 48mm, while Bunbury had 27.4mm and Cape Naturaliste had 23.6mm.

Witchcliffe, south of Margaret River, was hit with torrential rain — recording 58mm between 7am and 10am, which caused local flooding.

LATEST BUREAU OF METEOROLOGY OBSERVATIONS

Wild winds have buffeted Perth and the South West as a cold front sweeps through. Source: News Corp Australia

A spokesman at the Busselton SES unit said they were starting to receive call-outs for help after the storm hit.

City of Busselton deputy mayor Grant Henley said he was not aware of any major damage in area but said there was some localised flooding of storm drains.

"It's quite rough . . . it was a very windy night, but no rain," Mr Henley said.

"We've just had rain since 9am this morning.

"There is a bit of localised flooding with the storm drains reaching their capacity but it drains away pretty well here.

"I haven't been alerted to any (major damage) at this stage . . . it's just all part of winter in paradise."

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