GPS tracker placed freed detainee near scene of sexual assault but CCTV cleared him

Australian Border Force tracking data revealed a freed detainee, who has since had charges dropped was near the scene of a sexual assault around the time of the offence.

Victoria Police has confirmed a convicted sex offender, one of 149 detainees freed after a High Court rule, was identified as a suspect in a Richmond assault but charges were dropped when CCTV footage led to the arrest of another man. Picture: Tinnakorn Jorruang/iStock

Australian Border Force tracking data revealed a freed detainee was near the scene of a sexual assault around the time of the offence.

Victoria Police has confirmed that after Alfons Pirimapun – a convicted sex offender who was one of 149 detainees freed after a High Court ruling – was identified as a suspect in the Richmond assault police became aware he was fitted with a GPS tracker.

“We identified a person as a potential suspect and became aware he had GPS tracking,” a police spokesperson said on Friday.

“We contacted the Commonwealth to request tracking data. The geographical mapping of the man’s location was consistent with the location and timing of the alleged offences.”

The GPS data combined with CCTV from Victoria St, Richmond, led police to arrest and charge the 44-year-old with serious sex and stalking offences on Tuesday.

But in farcical scenes in court at 5pm Thursday, police dropped the charges, saying fresh CCTV had identified another suspect as the offender.

On Friday, detectives arrested that man. A 55-year-old man from nearby Kew was charged with sexual assault, stalking and unlawful assault. He was freed on bail and will appear in court on May 16.