WA: British man to be chased by authorities over Broome bashing

AAP General News (Australia)
12-02-2003
WA: British man to be chased by authorities over Broome bashing

By Tim Clarke

PERTH, Dec 2 AAP - Just one of the British brothers who left Australia after being
charged with the savage beating of a West Australian man will be chased by authorities.

Philip and Simon Johnson, from Manchester, were mistakenly allowed to leave Australia
in January, despite both being charged with grievous bodily harm over the attack on Paul
de Souza.

The attack broke almost every bone in Mr de Souza's face, and left him with seven plates
and 55 screws in his head.

After police discovered new witnesses to the September 2002 incident in Broome in WA's
far north, WA Police Commissioner Barry Matthews recommended both men be extradited from
Britain.

Although WA's Director of Public Prosecutions, Robert Cock, has yet to confirm the
decision, it is believed he will only pursue the extradition of younger brother Philip,
23.

Solicitor for the brothers, Ron Cannon, today said he had been asked to represent Philip,
and would be opposing the extradition.

"We will be opposing the application on the grounds that police failed to investigate
the matter fully at the time, and that the adverse publicity surrounding the case will
rule out any chance of a fair trial," Mr Cannon said.

"Moreover, Philip Johnson did not flee the country. The immigration department forced
him to leave, when he was willing to stay here and stand trial."

Despite originally having to surrender their passports as a condition of their bail,
Simon Johnson's passport was returned to him after he allegedly told the court the case
had been resolved.

His brother was then given his passport and told to leave the country by the Department
of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs when his visa expired. Mr
Cock originally said he would not be pursuing extradition.

It could take more than 12 months for a court in the UK to make a ruling on the extradition
application, which must first be approved by federal Attorney-General Philip Ruddock.

When contacted by the Manchester Evening News, the brothers' father Alan Johnson said:
"We know about this, but we don't wish to comment. I will need to speak to our solicitor."

AAP tc/hn/tma/br

KEYWORD: JOHNSON

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