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Liz Bell liz@baysidenews.com.au THE Frankston-based Peninsula Community Legal Centre has welcomed the support of highprofile domestic violence campaigner Rosie Batty in the fight to stop funding cuts that could cripple the service and the community. The legal service has helped thousands of low-income clients to access free legal advice and representation every year since opening 40 years ago, with the majority of clients seeking help with family law and domestic violencerelated matters. The centre’s chief executive officer Jackie Galloway said domestic violence was a “scourge” on the Frankston community, and free legal help for those affected was essential to keep them safe, housed and out of spiralling debt. “We are very heartened to know that there is so much support to try to convince the federal government from cutting funds, as community legal centres play a vital role in supporting victims of domestic violence and getting legal aid to people who otherwise couldn’t afford or access it,” she said. Ms Galloway said the more support there was, the more the centres could convince the government of the need for the services to help people and stop the problems spreading into the community. Ms Batty, the 2015 Australian of the Year for her work campaigning against domestic violence, has started an online petition to stop the government from slashing funding to community legal centres around the country by 30 percent in July. Ms Batty’s son Luke was killed in a violent daylight attack by his father at a sports ground in Tyabb in 2014. Since then, she has become
the public face in the fight to end domestic violence, tirelessly advocating for changes in police responses, the delivery of support services and government engagement. Peninsula Community Legal Centre has pro-
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Frankston Times
27 March 2017
A FRANKSTON North man has been arrested over a series of alleged offences in Chelsea early on Monday 13 March. The 22-year-old has been charged with intentionally causing injury, recklessly causing injury, unlawful assault, assault-in-company and breaching bail conditions. The charges follow the alleged theft of cars and items from cars after houses were broken into at the Waterways estate. Several relate to the alleged assault and robbery of an Uber driver, 2.30am, Monday 13 March in Wells Rd. The driver, 27, had stopped by the side of the road when his car overheated after dropping off a passenger in Frankston. Police allege two men in a stolen Ford Territory which stopped nearby demanded the driver hand over “everything he had”. When the driver said he only had a phone the pair allegedly punched, kicked and choked him before stealing his phone and wallet containing various credit and security cards. They then got back in the Ford Territory and did a U-turn before one of then threatened the victim by saying: “Don’t call the police or I will shoot you” and driving off. The driver flagged down a taxi in Mentone and reported the incident to police. The Ford Territory was earlier stolen from the driveway of a house in Naples St, Mentone, and allegedly used during a drive-off at a service station in Braeside. The man, who was remanded in custody, will face Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 30 March.
Charges after postie bike used in getaway A FRANKSTON man who allegedly pushed a postie off his bike and used it as his getaway vehicle on Friday afternoon handed himself into police on Monday. The incident occurred after police used road spikes to stop a man in a stolen Ford sedan in Leonard St, Frankston, after his erratic driving in
the Frankston CBD led to a lengthy pursuit. An 18-year-old man had earlier been involved in a dispute at a house in Leonard St where he allegedly damaged property and stole the car before doing wheelies at a Beach St roundabout. With the Ford’s tyres deflated, the man jumped out and allegedly knocked the nearby postie off his bike before riding off on it. It was later found dumped in Somerville. Senior Sergeant Al Hanson, of Frankston CIU, said police decided not to chase the impromptu biker because they knew his identity and there was no need to risk further mayhem. The postie, who was doing his afternoon round, received minor grazing in the incident. Australia Post said later there was no mail in the bike’s saddle bags. A man who handed himself into police, Monday 20 March, was charged with robbery, three counts of reckless conduct endangering life, evade police, theft of motor car and criminal damage. He was bailed to appear at Frankston Magistrates’ Court at a later date.