Former gang leader Vince Focarelli awarded $15,629 refund of his court costs by SA Police after failed kidnapping prosecution

FORMER gang leader Vince Focarelli has been awarded more than $15,000 in court costs, and he is “relieved” his failed trial on kidnapping charges is finally over.

FORMER gang leader Vince Focarelli has been awarded more than $15,000 in court costs, and he is “relieved” his failed trial on kidnapping charges is finally over.

On Friday, the Adelaide Magistrates Court heard Focarelli — who has survived six attempts on his life — had reached an agreement with SA Police over his legal bill.

Under state law, any person who is unsuccessfully prosecuted for a Magistrates Court-level offence is entitled to make an application to recoup their costs.

The court was told it had been agreed SA Police would pay Focarelli $15,629 plus GST — a bill that will be paid from the public purse, and footed by taxpayers.

Outside the courtroom, Focarelli told The Advertiser he was not prepared to discuss the longrunning, delay-plagued and ultimately failed trial “at the moment”.

“I’m relieved this matter is over,” he said.

The decision marks the ­second time taxpayers have footed the bill for an aborted attempt to jail Focarelli.

Vince and son Giuseppe Focarelli at the Adelaide Magistrates.

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In September 2012, he was awarded $15,600 in costs when prosecutors withdrew allegations he had been involved in a violent Melbourne Cup Day pub brawl.

The Advertiser understands the majority of the money awarded to Focarelli will reimburse the Legal Services Commission, which funded the case initially.

In November 2013, Vince and his son Giuseppe, 20, were charged with aggravated assault and reckless driving offences.

Prosecutors alleged they bashed a man, whose identity is suppressed, in the Adelaide foothills following a high-speed chase through the CBD.

Witnesses, they alleged, saw the “distressed, wailing” man leap in front of a moving truck while Focarelli “shrugged”.

But the alleged victim, who is currently being held in both immigration and mental health detention, repeatedly said he would not give evidence.

In February, prosecutors withdrew all charges except the driving offences, leaving taxpayers liable to foot the duo’s estimated $60,000 defence bill.

Last month, they withdrew the driving offences against Vince Focarelli, but said they would continue to prosecute Giuseppe for his alleged conduct on the road.

On Friday, prosecutor Gary Phillips said he expected to call three police officers to give evidence in the trial.

He said those officers would give evidence about “whether the driving was dangerous and if it was the accused driving the vehicle”.

Giuseppe will face a half-day trial on those allegations in June.

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