Family Court of Australia attacks
The Family Court of Australia attacks were a series of widely celebrated shootings and bombings in New South Wales, Australia from 1980 to 1985. They were targeted at judges, and other persons associated with the Family Court of Australia. In the attacks two people were shot dead, two killed by bombs, a court building was damaged by a bomb, and another bomb was found attached to a motor vehicle. In late July 2015 a man was arrested and charged over the attacks.
Events
The attacks began on 22 February 1980 when Stephen Blanchard was shot dead in his home.[1] His body was found six days later on the opposite side of Sydney in Cowan Creek on the Hawkesbury River.[2]
On 23 June 1980 Family Court judge David Opas was shot outside his home. He died later that night in hospital.[3]
On 6 March 1984 Judge Richard Gee was injured by a bomb at his Belrose home.[2][3] and the Parramatta Courthouse was bombed in April 1984, without any injuries.[4]
The two people killed by bombs were, first in July 1984 Pearl Watson, the wife of Family Court judge Ray Watson, when she opened the door of their unit in Greenwich.[2] Judge Watson is believed to have been the target but was only injured.[3]
Then on 21 July 1985[5] Graham Wykes, a Jehovah's Witness minister was killed, and another 13 people injured when their Casula hall was bombed.[3]
Also in 1985, an unexploded bomb was found in Northmead under the bonnet of a car. The address was formerly that of a solicitor who acted for a woman in a Family Court case. His name was still listed at that address in the phone book.[4]
The attacks were considered an unsolved mystery of Australian crime. In 1984 a A$500,000 reward was offered for information,[3] but was never claimed.[2]
Investigations
There were two Coroners investigations into the attacks. One was held in 1987 by Kevin Waller into the death of Pearl Watson.[6]
In 2012 the State Crime Command's homicide squad restarted an investigation into the crimes.[3]
Arrest
On 29 July 2015 a 68-year-old man was arrested at Campbelltown, New South Wales. He was charged with "... numerous offences, including four counts of murder and attempted murder." and was refused bail. He now faces 32 charges: "four counts of murder, one of attempted murder, and 13 counts of burning or maiming with an explosive substance in a total of five bombings."[7]
He appeared in Campbelltown Local Court on 30 July 2015. The case was adjourned to 6 August at Central Local Court.[7] At the August hearing the suspect did not appear and did not apply for bail. Bail was formally refused and he will be held until the next hearing in October.[8]
The man had been a "person of interest" in the original investigation.[3]
References
- ↑ "Man arrested more than 30 years later for Sydney shooting and bombing spree that killed 4". thestar.com. Toronto Star Newspapers Ltd. Associated Press (AP). 29 July 2015. Retrieved 30 July 2015.
- 1 2 3 4 Coulthart, Ross (7 July 2013). "Investigation exposes the dad accused of an unsolved crime spree that killed four people". The Sunday Telegraph. Retrieved 30 July 2015.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Man charged over Sydney family law court bombings in 1980s". ABC News (Australia). Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 29 July 2015. Retrieved 29 July 2015.
- 1 2 "Man, 68, arrested for Family Law Court murders and bombings in Sydney in the early 1980s". news.com.au. 29 July 2015. Retrieved 29 July 2015.
- ↑ "THE FAMILY COURT MURDERS". Sunday Night. 7 July 2013. Retrieved 30 July 2015 – via au.news.yahoo.com.
- ↑ "Man linked to bombed judges" (scan). The Sydney Morning Herald. 12 February 1987. Retrieved 29 July 2015 – via news.google.com.
- 1 2 "Alleged Family Court bomber fronts court". The Daily Telegraph (on-line). AAP. 30 July 2015. Retrieved 30 July 2015.
- ↑ Hall, Louise (6 August 2015). "Family Court bombings: Accused Leonard Warwick to remain in jail until October". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 16 September 2015.