Singleton Mother Kathleen Folbigg Has Her Convictions Quashed

BY OLIVIA DILLON

The NSW Court of Criminal Appeal has quashed Singleton mother Kathleen Folbigg's convictions over the deaths of her four children. 

It comes after she was granted an unconditional pardon back in June, after having served almost 20 years in gaol. 

She had been convicted of three counts of murder and one of manslaughter. 

But, Justice Andrew Bell said new scientific evidence had brought to light reasonable doubt about her guilt, and it is appropriate she be acquitted.  

Speaking outside the court, the 56-year-old said it's been a long time coming. 

"For almost a quarter of a century, I faced disbelief and hostility.

I hoped and prayed that one day I would be able to stand here with my name cleared."

Justice Bell also noted how a Special Commission of Enquiry into Ms. Folbigg's case, heard it would be unreliable to rely on her diary entries as admissions of guilt.

She said there were legal avenues to prove her innocence back in 1999, and she never should have been put behind bars.

"Those books contained my private feelings which I wrote to myself. No one expects those types of things to be read by strangers, let alone opinionated on. 

They took my words out of context and used them against me; they accused me of something I never wrote about, never did, and never would do. 

I hope no one else will ever have to suffer what I have suffered," she said. 

Image: Newcastle Herald

Kathleen Folbigg To Face Possible Appeal For Her Convictions

BY OLIVIA DILLON

An appeals court will likely consider overturning Singleton mother Kathleen Folbigg's convictions over the deaths of her four children, following the release of the final report on the matter. 

The 55-year-old was earlier this year released from gaol and pardoned, after having served 20 years in prison for killing her 4 children; Caleb, Patrick, Sarah and Laura. 

She was released after an inquiry heard there was evidence her children could have died from natural causes and there was reasonable doubt about her guilt.

In his report, Inquiry Commissioner Tom Bathurst KC found there was an identifiable cause for three of the deaths. 

He also said Ms. Folbigg's diary entries should not have been used during her trial. 

Mr. Bathurst has confirmed he will refer the matter to the Court of Criminal Appeal. 

Image: Supplied

Maitland Grossman High School Teacher Has Assault Conviction Overturned

BY OLIVIA DILLON

A high school teacher who was earlier this year found guilty of assaulting a student at Maitland Grossman High School has had his conviction overturned. 

63-year-old Michael John Kable was sentenced to a Community Correction Order in July, after he pleaded guilty to punching the student in the back of the head on the 21st of March, 2023. 

The conviction meant he would not have been able to continue teaching. 

However, in Newcastle District Court today, Judge Peter McGrath said although the assault was serious, Mr. Kable had been severely provoked in the lead-up to the incident. 

His appeal has been granted and he's been handed an 18-month good behaviour bond without conviction. 

Michael John Kable
Image: Newcastle Herald

Police Investigate A String Of Hunter Copper Thefts

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Police are appealing for information in relation to several alleged copper-theft incidents in the Hunter during June and July. 

A number of incidents have been reported over the last two months, including on Monday the 31st of July 2023, when police say copper cables were stolen from a site on Thomas Mitchell Drive at Muswellbrook.

The following other incidents are also being investigated by police:

• On Friday the 9th of June 2023, copper earth tails were stolen from more than 50 power poles along the Golden Highway near Merriwa.
• Between Wednesday the 5th of July and Thursday the 20th of July 2023, copper cables were stolen from a site near Wybong Road at Muswellbrook.
• On Friday the 7th of July 2023, copper cables were stolen from a site near George Booth Drive at Cameron Park.
• On Saturday the 8th of July 2023, electrical wires were stolen near Regents Drive, New Lambton.
• On Wednesday the 19th of July 2023, an attempted theft occurred on electrical wires at Tomalpin, near Cessnock.

It's also believed similar thefts have occurred at Morisset and Awaba. 

Officers are currently investigating the thefts and are urging anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. 

The incidents have also prompted Ausgrid’s Executive General Manager of Field Operations, Sam Sofi to issue a safety warning. 

He says people are putting their lives at risk by interfering with live electrical assets.

 

Kathleen Folbigg's Legal Team Push for Parole

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Singleton mother Kathleen Folbigg's legal team have launched a bid for her to be released on parole, pending the final report on the enquiry into her convictions over the death of her four children. 

Although the head of the inquiry, former NSW Chief Justice Tom Bathurst has yet to deliver his report to the Governor, the Director of Public Prosecutions has already accepted new evidence has given rise to a reasonable doubt about the 55-year-old's guilt. 

Fobigg's solicitor Rhanee Rego has called on NSW Premier Chris Minns and the Attorney General to release her as soon as possible. 

It comes after a former Newcastle Woman of the Year and staunch supporter of Fobigg said she's waiting by the phone to hear she's been released from prison. 

Helen Cummings said she believes the case will go down as the worst examples of wrongful conviction in the history of New South Wales. 

Image: The Australian

Appeal to Locate Missing Hunter Valley Man

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Hunter Valley Police are appealing for public assistance to locate 44-year-old Malcolm Appleby. 

Malcolm also goes by Raymond Parnell, and was last seen driving east on the Hunter Expressway near Branxton, about 1:45am on Saturday.

It's believed he's driving a green 2003 Toyota Corolla with NSW number plates reading AW54NZ.

Police and family hold serious concerns for his welfare.

Malcolm is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 180cm tall, of slim build, with unshaven and balding hair, and a large scar on one of his lower legs.

Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to contact police or Crime Stoppers.

Kathleen Folbigg Loses Final Appeal: Convictions To Stand

BY IAN CROUCH

Notorious Singleton child killer, Kathleen Folbigg will remain behind bars after losing the final avenue of appeal against her convictions for killing her four babies.

The 52-year-old is serving a 30 year sentence for killing her four children Patrick, Laura, Sarah and Caleb between 1989 and 1999.

In 2015 her lawyer lodged a petition casting doubt over some of the evidence used to convict her, prompting NSW Attorney General, Mark Speakman to order an inquiry.

Former NSW District Court Chief Judge, Reginald Blanch chaired the inquiry which began hearing submissions and evidence in March.

Mr Blanch has now released a 557-page report following the conclusion of the inquiry.

He found the inquiry produced evidence which reinforced Folbigg's guilt and that he does not have "any reasonable doubt as to the guilt of Kathleen Megan Folbigg for the offences of which she was convicted".

Mr Blanch's report went on to say that "I find that Ms Folbigg's untruthfulness to the police and in the evidence she gave before the Inquiry was a deliberate attempt to obscure the fact that she committed the offences of which she was convicted."

He also found Folbigg's explanations concerning incriminating diary entries at the times of her babies' deaths to be "simply unbelievable".

Attorney General, Mark Speakman says he has spoken to Folbigg's former husband, Craig about the report and acknowledged the inquiry has further aggravated what already was "an unimaginable tragedy", saying he was sorry for the toll the inquiry has taken on Mr Follbigg and family members over the past year.

Kathleen Folbigg will continue serving her 30 year sentence and will be eligible for parole in 2028 at the conclusion of her 25 year non-parole period.

Katheen Folbigg: convictions to stand