Police forced to wait overnight for Children’s Court permission to release Malmsbury escapee names
POLICE were forced to wait overnight for permission from a Children’s Court to release the names and photos of escaped Malmsbury inmates while the thugs went on a crime spree.
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POLICE were forced to wait overnight for permission from a Children’s Court to release the names and photos of the escaped Malmsbury inmates while the young thugs went on a terrifying crime spree.
Deputy Commissioner Shane Patton revealed yesterday senior police still did not know what crimes the escapees had committed at 8am — about 17 hours after the inmates had gone on the run.
While police lawyers were caught up in red tape trying to get the go-ahead from the court to publish images and names of the inmates, they were busy stealing cars and robbing people across the state.
Deputy Commissioner Andrew Crisp told the Herald Sun Victoria Police “contacted the court registrar overnight and looked at working our way through that process”.
“It is quite a convoluted process,” he said.
Mr Crisp said the court hearing — and permission to publish the details — finally came at 2pm yesterday, 23 hours after the escape.
Police Association secretary Ron Iddles hit out at the hurdles police had to contend with in such a serious situation.
“The chief commissioner of police should have the discretion to release the names and images of detainees that have escaped or absconded from correctional or DHHS facilities if he or she believes it would hasten their arrest or if it is necessary to protect the community,” Mr Iddles said.
“This should not be a convoluted process and completely at his or her discretion.
“The community’s safety must always come before the rights of prisoners serving a custodial sentence irrespective of their age.
“People that commit armed robberies, assaults and carjackings to escape custody are not kids whatever their age.
“They are dangerous criminals that need to be arrested quickly before they can cause further harm.”
Victims of Crime Commissioner Greg Davies said it was farcical Mr Ashton could not sign off on the release of names and pictures.
“He’s a statutory appointment,” he said.
The position is considered by the government to be one of the most important in the justice system.”
Mr Davies said it would have been known from the outset the escapees would immediately begin committing crimes.
He said this meant the public should have been told who they were.
“I don’t know if V/Line runs a train to Malmsbury but they weren’t going to catch it,” Mr Davies said.
“They weren’t going to ride their scooters out of there.
“They have no fear whatsoever of the consequences of their actions because there are none.
“If they want to commit adult crimes, give them adult punishments and, before you do that, fix the adult punishments.”
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