Michael Atkins tells police where he buried Matthew Leveson’s body
UPDATE: Police have brought in an excavator as the they continue to search the Royal National Park for the body of Matthew Leveson after Michael Atkins, who was acquitted of murdering his young lover, finally broke his silence on what happened to the body.
NSW
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A MAN acquitted of murdering his lover has told police where he buried the body after he was given immunity from prosecution.
In sensational developments, detectives and forensic crews have spent two days in the Royal National Park south of Sydney after electrician Michael Atkins finally broke his nine-year silence.
It is understood Mr Atkins, 53, who was caught on CCTV buying a mattock and duct tape on the day his 20-year-old lover Matt Leveson disappeared has identified one or more burial sites in rugged bushland. Last night Matt’s body had not been found.
It was a “one in a million” breakthrough Matt’s parents Mark and Faye Leveson wanted when they backed a rare decision by Deputy State Coroner Elaine Truscott to grant Mr Atkins a certificate under section 61 of the Coroners Act 2009, which means that any evidence he gives cannot be used against him in any other proceedings.
Mr and Mrs Leveson had said they just wanted to find their son’s body and take him home for a proper burial.
Mr Atkins, who was acquitted in 2009 of Matt’s murder or manslaughter, had objected to giving evidence to the resumed inquest into Matt’s disappearance on the grounds that he may incriminate himself, but lost an appeal to the Supreme Court.
Matthew Leveson was last seen leaving ARQ nightclub at Surry Hills about 2am
Matthew Leveson, aged 20, reported missing by concerned relatives after he failed to arrive at work and could not be contacted.
Matthew Leveson's car found by police at Waratah Oval in Sutherland.
Michael Atkins acquitted by a jury of Mr Leveson's murder and manslaughter
A $100,000 reward was announced for information leading to the discovery of Matthew Leveson's body.
Police have launched a search in the Royal National Park, south of Sydney, in connection with an ongoing investigation into missing man Matthew Leveson.
He had not given evidence at his trial.
As the inquest was adjourned yesterday following Mr Atkins information, Mr and Mrs Leveson said the police had asked them not to say anything.
The evidence to the inquest was that Matt had not been seen since he left Sydney’s Arq nightclub with Mr Atkins in the early hours of Sunday, September 23, 2007.
Mr Atkins told the inquest he thought Matt had gone to Thailand to start a new life — although his passport was found in rubbish at their flat.
His car was found dumped at Waratah Oval near Sutherland on Thursday, September 27, with the receipt for the mattock and duct tape in the boot and Mr Atkins’ fingerprint on it.
Matt’s parents are too familiar with the national park.
They believe that is where he was buried and regularly visit with their own mattock to try and find him.
“We think like a killer. How would I dispose of a body? How would I hide my car?” Mr Leveson told the inquest.
“We just look as much as we can and the chance of us finding Matt is probably one in a million, but not zero, so we’ll keep looking.”
Mr Atkins was not at the inquest yesterday.
It is understood police used his admission last week he had lied in court as a lever so he could tell them the truth or be prosecuted for perjury.
Mr Atkins, who now lives in Brisbane, had initially told the inquest he had told police the truth in a videotaped record of interview after Matt disappeared.
Then on Friday he admitted he had lied to investigators and had also lied on oath to the inquest.
Police yesterday said a crime scene had been established in the national park as they conducted an extensive search of the area.
Forced to break his silence on death
Analysis
IN the witness box at Glebe Coroner’s Court on February 18 this year Michael Atkins swore to tell the truth.
He was asked: “Where is Matt’s body?”
As Matt Leveson’s parents, brothers and friends watched in court, Mr Atkins objected to answering that and any further questions on the grounds he might incriminate himself.
It was an answer that Deputy State Coroner Elaine Truscott expected and she had the solution: give Mr Atkins immunity if he told the truth, so the evidence he gives cannot be used against him if he tells the truth.
The power of the coroner to grant a certificate of immunity under section 61 of the Coroners Act was introduced because, as the Supreme Court has said, it “acknowledges the prospect there will be cases in which a higher value will be placed on determining the manner and cause of a person’s death than on the prosecution of any criminal offence”.
Coroner Truscott determined it was in the interest of justice. Mr Atkins objected and mounted a challenge but the Supreme Court ruled his right to silence is not as important as finding out what happened to his young lover.
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