‘If it’s an accident, it can be resolved’: Gary Jubelin’s recording of William Tyrrell’s neighbour

Here is an edited version what was captured on Gary Jubelin’s mobile phone on May 2, 2018, as played to the court.

Gary Jubelin at State NSW Library. Picture: Chris Pavlich

Gary Jubelin is accused of recording three conversations with Paul Savage, 75, who lived opposite the NSW mid-north coast house in Benaroon Drive, Kendall, that William Tyrrell disappeared from. Here is an edited version what was captured on his mobile phone on May 2, 2018, as played to the court.

Jubelin: “5:20pm, I’m just going into Benaroon Drive to speak to Paul Savage.”

Sound of car door, boots on gravel. Jubelin is allowed into the house, where listening devices are also in place.

Jubelin: “Look, guys (Savage and his daughter are present), I don’t know where to start with this … we’ve got concerns about your knowledge or involvement in ­William’s disappearance … I really hope you understand … I’m just trying to understand what happened to William … The things that you’ve said, Paul, just don’t ring true … I’ve got concerns that you’ve lost touch with reality … I’m trying to resolve this for the benefit of everyone …”

Savage: “I had nothing to do with it. I’m telling the truth.”

Jubelin then asks where Savage was for a two-hour period, after William went missing and before Savage’s brother-in-law stopped by for a scheduled visit.

Savage: “I went into the bush to look for him. I came back, I had a cuppa tea.”

Jubelin: “It was chaos out there … people were searching … they had every man and his dog out there, looking for him. You’re telling me you just went inside and had a cup of tea? Didn’t go down there and say: well, he’s not up there … it was chaos.”

Savage: “Not then it wasn’t.”

■ ■  ■

Jubelin: “You have described the suit that William was wearing at the time of his abduction, not the suit we left there (on a bush trail). We left that suit there to see how people would react.

“You could not have reacted more suspiciously … I’m seeing ­decency in you. I’m seeing confusion in you. I’m trying to get to the bottom of this, just so we can get to the bottom of this … Could it have been an accident? He (William) ran over here, all excited to see his dad, thinking that’s his dad’s car, and there was an accident. If it’s an accident, Paul, people will understand … I raised with you that perhaps it was Heather. I fully understand you love that woman. You would do anything to protect her. You took offence to that. People do cover things up. I’m not sitting here in judgment. If it’s an accident, that can be resolved. If it’s a case that you just lost something for a moment. That can be ­resolved. If he’s been hit. That’s understandable. It’s not something you have to live with for the rest of your life. You’ll be looked after.”

Savage: “No way I would have done it. No way.”

Jubelin: “I’ve got a mate with early on-set dementia. There’s not a judgment there. It’s just reality. It’s going to get ugly. People are demanding to know. I can only present the evidence. Hold that thought. We will resolve it.”