Ex-Detective Gary Jubelin ‘had it in’ for Tyrell person of interest Bill Spedding: court

A former person of interest in William Tyrrell’s disappearance will argue in court ex-Detective Gary Jubelin “had it in for him”.

A former person of interest in William Tyrrell’s disappearance will argue in court ex-Detective Gary Jubelin “had it in for him” and that his arrest over unrelated historical sexual assault matters was “inspired” and “energised” by Mr Jubelin’s role as lead investigator on the Tyrrell probe.

Washing machine repairman Bill Spedding, who had visited Tyrell’s Kendall home for work days before he vanished in 2014, is suing the State of NSW for malicious prosecution and argues his arrest over that unrelated matter was a “collateral attack” on him in order to expose him as a then possible suspect in the toddler’s disappearance.

Mr Spedding is not taking legal action against Mr Jubelin himself, but Justice Ian Harrison told the NSW Supreme Court that the former cop was a “major player” in the events that sparked the proceedings.

The judge said Mr Spedding will argue Mr Jubelin “had it in for him” during the Tyrell probe.

“Mr Spedding’s anticipated contention (will be) that during the course of a series of interactions or interviews with Mr Jubelin, he was referred to pejoratively as ‘Mr Washing Machine Man’ and associated comments to a similar effect upon which Mr Spedding will rely to contend that Mr Jubelin effectively had it in for him and that his arrest and ultimate prosecution on the historical sexual assault matters was inspired or energised by Mr Jubelin’s role as the lead investigator in relation to the William Tyrrell disappearance,” Justice Harrison said.

Bill Spedding is suing for malicious prosecution, and will argue ex homicide Detective Gary Jubelin ‘had it in for him’. Picture: AAP Image/Joel Carrett

He also denies any involvement in Tyrrell’s disappearance and was never charged.

The court also heard that Mr Spedding was arrested at his home by Mr Jubelin while media crews were present “in abundance”.

William Tyrrell’s 2014 disappearance has never been solved, despite multiple searches.

Mr Spedding will argue the media had been notified by someone on behalf of the police and that the situation was orchestrated in order to embarrass him or to cause him serious harm, the court was told.

Justice Harrison said Mr Jubelin would presumably deny that he or police under his command had notified media outlets that the arrest was to occur after reading a draft statement provided to the court.

All charges against Mr Spedding in the unrelated matter were later dropped or dismissed.

Mr Jubelin has since left NSW Police.

Mr Jubelin has since left the NSW Police force, but may be called as a witness in the case.

The main hearing of Mr Spedding’s legal action against the State of NSW will begin in Sydney on Tuesday.

The case was mentioned in court last week when lawyers for the State of NSW applied for them to be permitted to rely on a statement by Mr Jubelin.

Justice Harrison granted the application.

The judge said it would be “slightly artificial” for the proceedings to take place if the State of NSW was not permitted to call Mr Jubelin to give evidence in court.

“It remains to be seen whether the State decides ultimately to call Mr Jubelin as a witness,” he said.