Bill Spedding details damage done after William Tyrrell police investigation

More than five years after William Tyrrell’s disappearance, a fake report led police to a non-existent basement at a former suspect’s home.

The former person of interest in the William Tyrrell case has told a court that police came looking for the boy in a basement that never existed more than five years after he vanished.

Bill Spedding, 70, is suing the state of NSW over its handling of the case, alleging he was the victim of false imprisonment and malicious prosecution.

Bill Spedding alleges he was the victim of false imprisonment and malicious prosecution. Picture: Nathan Edwards

The mystery of what happened to William Tyrrell remains unsolved and no one has ever been charged.

William, 3, disappeared from his foster grandmother’s home Kendall on the NSW Mid-North Coast in September 2014.

Mr Spedding, a former repairman, came to the attention of police because he had been called to fix a washing machine at the home three days before the boy vanished.

While investigations into William’s disappearance were under way, police charged Mr Speeding over historical child abuse allegations that allegedly involved two young girls in the 1980s.

Mr Spedding has continuously denied wrongdoing and on Monday the NSW Supreme Court was told that police were aware a court had previously dismissed the allegations made by the girls who were pressured by adults to make the claims up.

After his arrest, Mr Spedding spent more than 50 days in custody where he claims he was subjected to abuse from inmates and a Corrective Services officer.

Police, SES, RFS, SLSA and local volunteers were unable to locate William. Picture: Nathan Edwards

A judge cleared Mr Spedding of wrongdoing in 2018 after police and prosecutors persisted with a trial.

He now wants the state to pay damages after his mental health, reputation, business and family relationships all suffered in the wake of the police investigations that led to extensive media coverage.

In an affidavit tendered in court, Mr Spedding said in 2020, despite being cleared of wrongdoing, police arrived at his home in the Central West NSW town of Wellington, looking for William.

Mr Spedding said police claimed they were told a person made an anonymous report alleging William was in a basement at the house.

“I introduced myself to the officers and invited them to come inside,” Mr Spedding said.

“The police officer stated words to the effect that ‘these premises do not match what was described in the report … the report has said there was a basement which you don’t have. I am sorry we needed to follow up the report’.”

Former detective Gary Jubelin is no longer a member of the NSW Police Force. Picture: Lindsay Moller

In the affidavit, Mr Spedding also claimed Gary Jubelin, the former detective in charge of William’s case, told him “we are going to put you away for 30 years”.

“During the interview, Detective Inspector Jubelin repeatedly asks me questions to the effect of ‘how would you dispose of a body?’” Mr Spedding said.

“He also stated to me during the interview words to the effect ‘I’ve got a deal with the papers … whenever they talk about William Tyrrell your name’s going to come up’.

“I repeatedly replied with words to the effect ‘I have never had need to do so’.”

When Mr Spedding told police he had been “completely cleared” of wrongdoing for the alleged 1980s offences, he said the detectives all laughed out loud.

The court was told that in the wake of his arrest, Mr Spedding was denied a blood test and told to leave a Douglas Hanly Moir Pathology site at Laurieton.

He also lost his business and was grabbed around the throat by a stranger.

News of William Tyrrell’s disappearance shocked Australia and triggered widespread outrage.

Footage of a neighbour confronting Mr Spedding in the garage of his home was also played in court on Wednesday.

“I just don’t want you around when there’s so many children,” the woman said.

“I need to say it, I couldn’t sleep last night, I feel sick.

“I just would like to know that you would never have a mobile out there in case you’re grooming my children … I don’t want the blinds open while they’re playing out the front.”

The hearing continues.

Originally published as Bill Spedding details damage done after William Tyrrell police investigation