The Snitch: ‘Son of Terra’ delivers baby then fronts up at court
Alexander Terracini could have been forgiven for looking a bit bleary-eyed in court this week, turning up for a case just hours after delivering his wife’s baby at home.
Police & Courts
Don't miss out on the headlines from Police & Courts. Followed categories will be added to My News.
There was little sign barrister Alexander Terracini had been burning the midnight oil when he turned up to court this week.
His late night had nothing to do with the highly-publicised matter, involving Sydney teacher Monica Young, he was appearing in as Crown prosecutor.
Unbeknown to most in the Downing Centre on Tuesday, Terracini — the son of renowned barrister Winston Terracini — had delivered his wife’s baby just hours earlier.
Mr Terracini, whose nickname “Son of Terra” is a nod to his father’s formidable courtroom presence, was forced to roll up his sleeves in the dark of night after his wife went into a very short labour. There was no time to make a mad dash to hospital and the baby boy wasn’t waiting for paramedics.
Fortunately his father was a safe pair of hands and delivered the yet-to-be-named infant in his home.
An ambulance arrived shortly after but the Terracinis had already welcomed a happy and healthy baby into their lives.
Several hours later, the prosecutor was at the bar table next to his former colleague, Crown prosecutor-turned-defence barrister Margaret Cunneen SC, who was representing 24-year-old Young. Fortunately for a weary Mr Terracini, the matter was over quickly as Young pleaded guilty to aggravated sexual intercourse with a 14-year-old student.
HOT PURSUIT
NSW Police has failed to keep its pursuit policy a state secret ahead of inquests into two fatal police chases.
Despite freedom of information requests and drawing criticism from coroners in the past, the force’s Safe Driving Policy has been kept largely under lock and key.
The policy governs when police should start a car pursuit and when it should stop.
It was due to be brought up again in the upcoming inquests into the deaths of Tyrone Adams and Michael Farrell. The young men died in separate police chases in 2018 and 2016.
Police applied for a non-publication order over all or at least some of the policy but the coroner knocked it back.
Police took their case to the Supreme Court for a judicial review but Justice Peter Hamill SC dismissed it this week.
It looks like the secretive policy document may see the light of day.
FRESH FACES
The police hierarchy is about to undergo a serious facelift with the pending departure of several seasoned officers.
Applications for seven assistant commissioner jobs closed last week, with a suite of worthy, progressive superintendents throwing their hats into the ring.
Assistant Commissioner Kyle Stewart is moving across to the Rural Fire Service next week to take up a deputy commissioner role.
Respected country copper Assistant Commissioner Geoff McKechnie is also retiring, alongside Northern region boss Max Mitchell, who will be farewelled in Newcastle next week.
Combined with two new deputy commissioners about to be appointed, there’ll be plenty of fresh faces at the top.
Got a Snitch? Contact Ava.benny-morrison@news.com.au or Brenden.hills@news.com.au
Man charged with murder of baby boy
A man has been charged with murder after the death of a four-month-old baby in the state’s northwest. Here is what we know.
Splash of vino, darl?: Car thief locked up after wine text bungle
A serial offender with more than 50 prior charges broke into a popular pub and stole thousands of bucks worth of booze before foolishly texting his lady a pic – asking if she was keen for a drop.