Paul Dale timeline

KEY dates in the recent life and times of Paul Dale:

KEY dates in the recent life and times of Paul Dale:

September 27, 2003
Drug dealer and police informer Terence Hodson and corrupt drug detective Dave Miechel steal $1.3 million in drugs from an Oakleigh East home. The major drug investigation division was to raid the home the next day.

December 5, 2003
Dale - an MDID detective sergeant - is arrested and charged over the burglary. Appears at Melbourne Magistrates' Court accused of conspiring to rob the drug house and to traffic drugs.

December 15, 2003
Dale denies any involvement in the planning of the burglary. Court hears the only evidence against him is coming from Terence Hodson. Released on bail on a $100,000 surety.

May 16, 2004
Terence Hodson and wife Christine found shot dead in their Kew home, after confidential police file about his informing was leaked to the underworld. Dale has alibi.

May 17, 2004
Dale's lawyer appears in court requesting the drug charges against him be dropped due to lack of evidence.

June 7, 2004
Then chief commissioner Christine Nixon flags intention to sack Dale via notice.

June 9, 2004
The drug charges against Dale are formally withdrawn. The case against Miechel to proceed.

October 5, 2004
Nixon exercises special powers and sacks Dale.

February 24, 2005
Office of Police Integrity report tabled in Parliament. Names Dale as "obvious suspect" in the theft of the secret police file outlining Hodson's informing activities. Dale denies any link to the theft.

Early June 2005
Dale launches landmark Supreme Court legal action to overturn his sacking.

August 11, 2005
Judge overturns Nixon's decision, citing lack of procedural fairness. (Dale later resigns).

May 26, 2006
A jury finds Miechel guilty on the drug house burglary and trafficking charges.

June 2008
An OPI hearing probes alleged links between Dale and serving officers and whether they disclosed secret information about the Petra Taskforce investigating the Hodson murders. Dale slams corruption investigators during his evidence.

February 13, 2009
Dale is arrested and charged with commissioning the murder of Terence Hodson. He denies any involvement and is remanded in custody.

March 26, 2009
Dale unsuccessfully applies for bail in Supreme Court.

September 11, 2009
Successfully applies for bail on grounds of deteriorating mental state.

March 2010
Dale's murder committal hearing begins. Key prosecution witness, former defence lawyer Nicola Gobbo, announces via her lawyer she cannot give evidence due to medical issues. (A second prosecution witness against Dale is unable to give evidence)

April 29, 2010
Gobbo launches civil action against police for alleged mishandling and breach of agreement.

May 27, 2010
It is revealed the Office of Public Prosecutions will withdraw the murder charge against Dale.