Alleged gangland hit man in hiding makes working with children bid
A Melbourne gangster who a coroner recommended be charged over a brutal execution committed in the presence of the victim’s family is now seeking a “quiet life” and permission to work in a day care centre — but his plans have hit a snag.
South East
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An underworld figure’s audacious bid for a working with children permit has been rejected.
VCAT has declared the man, once linked to a brutal execution, an unjustifiable risk to children.
The man, who can’t be named for legal reasons, is seeking the check to allow him to work at a friend’s day care centre and to do “community volunteer work”.
He now wants the “quiet life” even though several Melbourne gangland figures still want him dead.
The former gangster, known as FRR, has been in hiding since the 1979 execution murder of a fellow underworld figure.
The victim, a member of a notorious Melbourne crime family, was assassinated while his family was in the house.
His body was bundled into the boot of a car and he was never seen again.
FRR was acquitted by a Supreme Court jury but a coroner later recommended he be charged after a contested coronial inquiry determined he was responsible for the death.
He wasn’t charged but his two co-accused and his brother-in-law were murdered or “disappeared in mysterious circumstances” not long after the findings.
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FRR, whose identity has been suppressed until his death, changed his family’s identities and moved them interstate.
The family house was torched not long after.
FRR had a criminal career which spanned several decades and included a charge in 2001 of trying to import cocaine.
He was tried twice but neither jury was able to reach a verdict.
The man later admitted he was trying to import millions of dollars in precious stones and diamonds.
FRR is now back in Victoria.
The Secretary to the Department of Justice and Community Safety denied his application in November, 2018.
However, Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal deputy president Heather Lambrick granted him the right to appeal the decision.
Ms Lambrick said although he was acquitted of both the murder and cocaine importation it would be “unjustifiable” to allow to him to work with children.
“Mere association with FRR is potentially fraught,” she said.
“There are individuals who to this day he considers would do him or his family harm.”
“(Granting his appeal) would present an unjustifiable risk of harm to children.
“I do not consider it justifiable to expose a child working with FRR to danger in the magnitude of death or witnessing death.”