WA Police Force detectives, with the assistance of the Commonwealth Attorney-General's Department, were granted approval to extradite a Broome man from Italy to face a WA court in relation to child sexual offences.
Guardia di Finanza (Italian Police) arrested the man near Venice on 21 March 2020. Central Criminal Police Directorate notified WA Police via Interpol of his arrest and with the assistance of the Commonwealth Attorney-General's Department, a request was made to Italy for his extradition. Detectives from Broome and Child Abuse Squad travelled to Milan to collect the man and escort him back to Perth.
The 76-year-old was charged in 2011 with 32 offences before fleeing Western Australia prior to his court appearance. It is alleged the offences occurred in Broome between 2007 and 2011.
The man currently has four outstanding WA arrest warrants relating to child sexual offences:-
• 11 counts of Indecently Record a Child under 13 years;
• 6 counts of Sexual Penetration of a Child under 13 years;
• 4 counts of Procured or Encouraged a Child to Engage in Sexual Behaviour;
• 4 counts of Possess Child Exploitation Material;
• 5 counts of Indecent Dealings with a Child under 13 years;
• 1 count of Procured or Encouraged a Child to do an Indecent Act, and
• 1 counts of Intent to Expose a Person under 13 years to Indecent Matter.
The man and detectives arrived back in Perth last night (10 November 2020), and the man will appear via video link to the Perth Magistrates Court today, Wednesday 11 November 2020.
WA Police would like to thank the Italian agencies who assisted them:- Polizia di Stato (Airport and Customs Police); Guardia di Finanza (Financial Police); Central Criminal Police Directorate; Polizia Penitenziaria (Prison Police); Interpol – Rome; and the Italian Embassy Canberra.
