death ‘not foreseeable’
Luke Batty
ily violence perpetrated by him on Luke and his mother. He said he was unable to determine the reason for the killing, but noted from Mrs Batty’s evidence that Luke was growing older and wished to withdraw from his father, and that Mr Anderson realised this and wanted to exert control over his son. Evidence to the Coroner that Mr Anderson had a delusional disorder was accepted, but without evidence from a full psychiatric assessment it was found that “no finding can be made with certainty about whether Mr Anderson suffered from any particular mental illness or how he might have been treated”. Mr Gray added: “No person or agency could have reasonably been expected to foresee that Mr Anderson would be that rare perpetrator, nor Luke the rare victim, of a violent filicide.” Chelsea police could have detained Mr Anderson after they spoke to him at a residential address about an alleged violent incident three weeks before he murdered his son but were
unaware of five warrants out for his arrest at the time. The coroner noted: “The Chelsea police officers were not aware of the unexecuted warrants because they were not on LEAP. This was a major system failure and yet another lost opportunity to bring Mr Anderson to account.” LEAP is Victoria Police’s Law Enforcement Assistance Program used by police officers to log incident reports. Mr Gray did note Mr Anderson could have been released on bail by 12 February - the day of Luke’s death - even if he had been arrested by Chelsea police. Mr Gray made 29 recommendations, including that the State of Victoria seek to accurately identify a person’s risk of being the victim of family violence, and a perpetrator’s risk of repeating family violence. Others referred to whether greater weight should be given to the victim’s own level of fear in assessing the risk posed to her and her children. Mr Gray welcomed an expected overhaul of Victoria Police’s methods in treating family violence cases, including the roll out of a Risk Assessment and Management Panels to better assess risk, in the aftermath of the tragedy. He also recommended that all agencies within the family violence system be “sufficiently supported” to provide training and professional development so they can provide realistic and effective violence risk assessments. He described Ms Batty as a compelling witness who clearly was a “loving, careful and thoughtful mother”. “Her decisions were completely motivated by her deep love for her son.
Police patrol
Cage thieves THEFTS from security cages at apartment blocks are worrying police. They say that, too often, items inside are easily visible. A cage in the underground car park at an Edithvale Rd block was forced open by thieves, 3am, Friday. Several robberies have previously been reported at the address. Owners said thieves walked down the driveway into the guest car parking area. The gate was not locking properly and was easily pushed open. Three thieves captured on CCTV are seen stealing tools, fishing rods, power tools and a mountain bike. Two were wearing dark-coloured hoodies and the third a light-coloured hoodie. Call Kingston CIU on 9556 6565 with information.
Liquor, tablet stolen A BURGLAR forced a rear door to a Golden Av, Chelsea property and stole electrical equipment, including a TV and pc tablet, and three bottles of liquor. The 28-year-old female victim and her son returned home Friday to find the side gate smashed and the back door kicked in. The single storey unit is one of seven in the block. A neighbour said he saw a “boxy” darkcoloured four-wheel-drive outside with its lights on high beam around the time of the thefts. Anyone with information is asked to call Kingston CIU on 9556 6565.
Road rage spit A 36-YEAR-old man was spat at during an unpleasant road rage confrontation in Station St, Carrum,
7am, Tuesday last week. The man, of Patterson Lakes, told Mordialloc police he was about to cross the tracks near Carrum railway station when a male driver in front stopped, swerved and did an illegal U-turn, causing him to brake heavily. The offender, who appeared to be drug-affected, stopped near the victim and spat in his face before spinning his wheels and speeding off. There may have been a child in the back seat. The man was driving a white station wagon. He is described as Caucasian, aged 30-40, dark hair, gaunt, with dirty rotting teeth. Anyone with information on this unlawful assault should call Mordialloc police on 9588 2988.
Crimes linked TWO Braeside burglaries appear to be linked. A thief stole a trailer from Caddy Storage, Boundary Rd, Braeside, early Sunday morning. CCTV footage shows him backing up to the trailer and hooking it up to his burgundy coloured Ford or Holden before driving off. Its registration number is T89765. At around the same time, tools and a spanner set valued at $500 were stolen from Burson’s Auto Parts in the same street. The manager responding to the alarm found the back door wedged open. Drawers and filing cabinets had been ransacked. Call Kingston CIU on 9556 6565 with information.
Stolen cards used BURGLARS stole a laptop and children’s money boxes from a house in Stewart Av, Parkdale, Tuesday last week. The 45-year-old male victim said the offenders walked up the drive-
way and used a shovel from a shed to jemmy open a timber awning window. They entered the living room where they stole the laptop, then searched the children’s bedrooms stealing significant amounts of cash as well as costume jewellery, and the main bedroom where they stole jewellery. Call Kingston CIU on 9556 6565.
Cleaning up WORKERS at the rear of Tassie Fine Foods, Downard St, Braeside, did not notice possibly two men enter the front of the business and make off with a $10,000 high-pressure hose. One was captured on CCTV wearing a hoodie and a black beanie during the raid, 3am, Wednesday last week. Police say it would have taken more than one person to lift the cleaning equipment.
Jewellery, notes stolen JEWELLERY and an old currency collection were stolen in a residential burglary at a house in Lauren St, Aspendale, which was discovered 7.30am, Tuesday last week. The 59-year-old victim told police thieves smashed a rear window, reached in and unlocked the back door. They ransacked two front bedrooms and searched draws and cupboards for the valuable notes and jewellery, including an expensive ring, and an iPad. A large amount of current notes was also stolen. A laneway runs alongside the single-storey brick house. Police say the robbery may be linked to others in Laura St, 11 September, and Gothic Av, 10 September. Anyone with information is asked to call Kingston CIU on 9556 6565.
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Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News 30 September 2015
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