Crash a close call for mum-to-be

Nicole Bresser, who is 18 weeks pregnant, surveys the damage after a car crashed into her bedroom on Hainsworth Ave, Girrawheen. Picture: Kerris Berrington Source: PerthNow

A car crashed into the bedroom that Nicole Bresser was sleeping in on Hainsworth Avenue, Girrawheen. Picture: Supplied. Source: PerthNow

SOME might say it was an Easter miracle which prevented a pregnant woman from injury after a car crashed through her bedroom in Girrawheen this morning.

Nicole Bresser, 28, was asleep in her mother's Hainsworth Avenue home when a car smashed through a wall at about 7.30am.

Ms Bresser, who is 18 weeks pregnant, said she opened her eyes to find that a wardrobe had fallen over her and saw the car's front bumper next to her bed.

"The way the wardrobe fell protected me from any debris hitting me,'' she said.

"The passenger got out and helped me out of bed.''

Ms Bresser said the passenger was a man aged in his twenties and his father was the driver of the vehicle.

"The father was learning to drive and accidentally put his foot on the accelerator instead of the brake,'' she said.

"We live in front of a roundabout and the man just went right through it.'

Paramedics attended to Ms Bresser who was taken to Joondalup Health Campus to be checked.

"My (unborn) baby and I are fine, everything is ok,'' she said.

"It's been a very lucky Easter Sunday.''

The driver and his son were also uninjured.

Probe into Jurien Bay snokeler death

Water Police are investigating the death of a snorkeler at Jurien Bay on Saturday. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: PerthNow

POLICE investigating the death of a snorkeler in waters north of Perth are seeking information from witnesses, particularly people on two boats who helped him.

The man, 36, was pulled from waters near Boullanger Island, Jurien Bay, on Saturday morning after he was seen needing assistance.

People in two vessels helped bring the man to shore.

He was then taken by ambulance to Jurien Bay Medical Centre, where he was pronounced dead.
Police want witnesses, particularly those who helped the man, to contact them.

Anyone with information is asked to call Water Police on 9442 8600 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
 

Tagging their way to serious crime

Police say graffiti vandals often go on to commit more serious crimes. Picture: Richard Polden Source: PerthNow

MORE than half the vandals caught tagging public property with graffiti also commit more serious crimes.

Police figures reveal that 63 per cent of those arrested in the past three years as part of the anti-graffiti Operation Eraser went on to commit further crimes, including assaults and armed robberies.

Inspector Roger Beer said the statistic was a wake-up call for society.

"It's obviously very important to deter the escalation in crime,'' Insp Beer said.

"Graffiti is a crime, but these people involved tend to adopt criminal behaviour as a lifestyle.''

Research showed that of the 418 offenders caught during the first Operation Eraser in 2011, about 280 either already had a criminal record or went on to commit more serious crimes.

But Insp Beer said the 37 per cent who were charged and did not go on to commit other crimes showed police were having an impact.

"If we are able to apprehend them for graffiti offending and somehow divert them away from the justice system and future criminal behaviour, that's good for police and that's good for the community,'' he said.

Police in new graffiti purge

Police have released images of people wanted in connection to vandalism on public transport.

Police want to speak to this man in connection to graffiti vandalism at Daglish Train Station on March 18, 2012. Picture: Supplied. Source: PerthNow

Police want to speak to this man in connection to vandalism at Sucess Hill Train Station on July 11 2012. Picture: Supplied. Source: PerthNow

Police want to speak to this woman in connection to graffiti vandalism at Beckenham Train Station on September 2, 2012. Picture: Supplied. Source: PerthNow

Police believe this man can help with inquiries into graffiti vandalism on a bus in Melville. Picture: Supplied. Source: PerthNow

Police want to speak to this man in connection to graffiti vandalism at Perth Busport on Oct 2, 2012. Picture: Supplied. Source: PerthNow

Police want to speak to this man in connection to graffiti vandalism on a bus in Thornlie. Picture: Supplied. Source: PerthNow

POLICE are stepping up their campaign to target WA's worst graffiti vandals.

Since the Graffiti Taskforce was set up in 2011, police have caught 418 vandals and laid more than 1500 charges.

Today they have released CCTV images of people wanted for questioning about vandalism on our public transport system.

The release of the images marks the resumption of Operation Eraser, a wekk-long police blitz on graffiti that will stretch from metropolitcan Perth as far south as Albany.

Officers will increase patrols around 'high-risk targets' - such as schools, bus stations, council buildings and train platforms.

Inspector Roger Beer said graffiti clean-up cost WA taxpayers up to $30 million every year.

"Graffiti is a crime that affects everybody and an issue that's important to people," Insp Beer said.

"We have a beautiful city and graffiti is ugly and offensive. In most big cities, the community would gauge the effectiveness of their government and police, to some extent, by the amount of graffiti they see on buildings and infrastructure."

Police have run five Eraser operations since 2011.

Some have been secret, while others have relied on public help to identify suspects caught on CCTV. So far, the Eraser operations have resulted in 1580 charges.

Insp Beer said most of the offenders were in their early teens, but police had caught children as young as 13 and men as old as 50.

He said police would continue working closely with the Public Transport Authority to capture footage of Perth's elusive vandals.

"Some of the most prolific offenders are more than happy to travel a long way to go to a specific piece infrastructure or meet up with people they met on Facebook," he said.

Convicted graffiti vandals face fines of up to $36,000 and jail terms of up to three years.

Last month, Premier Colin Barnett announced plans to introduce graffiti clean-up laws that would force vandals to remove graffiti across the state so that they understood the "time, effort and cost" that went into fixing it.

Mr Barnett said the new laws would also give the PTA increased powers to ban graffiti offenders from using public transport.

For the first time, Operation Eraser will extend to Albany and Bunbury this week.

Boy, 15, stabbed at party in Success

Police were called to move on groups of young people after several brawls broke out following house parties last night. Picture: Marie Nirme Source: PerthNow

A 15-year-old boy has been stabbed and dozens of youths have been involved in violent brawls following out-of-control parties overnight.

About 100 youths turned up to a birthday party in Coodanup which spilled out into Wellstead Way where the party-goers began fighting, throwing bottles and damaging property.

Police, including officers from the Dog Squad, attend and four people were charged with disorderly conduct.

In Success, a 15-year-old was stabbed in the chest after about 100 youths spilled out into the street following a house party at a house on Covington Street.

Neighbours reported that the youths were drinking, yelling abuse and blocking traffic.

The teenage victim was treated in Fremantle Hospital for a non life-threatening injury.

Police also broke up a crowd of youths who were fighting with weapons in a Clarkson park.

Bottles were thrown at the five police vehicles which attended.

In Maddington, police were called after a group of about 30 youths were walking down Alcock St disrupting traffic, fighting and confronting residents of the street.

The group had been at a party in nearby Carisbrooke St where up to 200 revellers had left the area.

Fourteen police vehicles attended and two people were charged with disorderly conduct.

Bike Hike raises sweat and cash for Asthma

Paralympic silver medallist Nigel Barley (with daughter Talia) participated in the RAC Freeway Bike Hike for Asthma. Picture: Kerris Berrington Source: PerthNow

MORE than 10,000 people hopped on their bikes and took over Perth's freeways this morning for the the RAC Freeway Bike Hike for Asthma.

WA's largest cycling community event raised over $190,000 for the Asthma Foundation, which is more than double last year's total.

Participants had the option of taking part in several rides including the Full Hike from Mandurah, the Mid Hike from Kwinana or Currambine and the Mini Hike from Bull Creek or Stirling.

All riders rolled over the finish line at Langley Park.

Participant numbers were up 25 per cent compared to last year.

The Hockeyroos added a sporting celebrity touch to the event in the Mid Hike ride.

Australia's only Paralympic medal recipient in handcycling, London silver medallist Nigel Barley, described the event as awesome.

"Where else in the world do they close the freeway down for a bike ride?'' he said.

Mr Barley completed the Full Hike and said it was good preparation for the Rio Paralympics.

"I've done the event three times now and plan to do it again in 2014,'' he said.

West Aussies get choice of gas supplier

Kleenheat Gas is set to offer West Australians a choce in gas supplier. Picture: Andy Baker. Source: PerthNow

WEST Australian company Kleenheat Gas has entered the state's natural gas market, providing a first-time retail alternative.

Kleenheat Gas, a subsidiary of Wesfarmers, will now compete with Alinta in the domestic gas market, potentially servicing up to 630,000 customers.

The company says it can supply residential, small business, commercial and industrial customers from Geraldton to Busselton, through the mid-west/southwest main distribution system that takes gas from the Dampier to Bunbury pipeline.

The market could be expanded further south to Albany if the state government implements its plan for a gas pipeline from Bunbury to Albany.

Alinta has had control of the market since it was established as part of privatisation efforts in the 90's.

But Kleenheat Gas is promising a discount of 10 per cent on standard prices linked to streamlining online account management.

However, Kleenheat's vision depend on its ability to attract consumers away from Alinta and also relies on the government further lifting gas tariffs.

Comment is being sought from Alinta.

Motorcyclist, 60, killed in Gidgegannup

A MOTORCYCLIST has died in a crash in Gidgegannup, 40 kilometres north-east of Perth, this morning.

Police say the 60-year-old male rider from Winthrop lost control of his Suzuki motorbike and hit a tree on Berry Rd, near Toodyay Rd, at 8.35am.

Police and members of the group he was riding with provided CPR, but he was declared dead at the scene.

Major Crash officers will investigate.

Head-on crash

FIVE people have been injured after two Holden Commodores crashed head-on in Hovea, east of Perth, early this morning.

The accident happened on Great Eastern Hwy shortly after 1am near the intersection of Mons Rd.

A 42-year-old driver of one Commodore was airlifted to Royal Perth Hospital with serious injuries. His two 18-year-old female passengers were also injured.

The 31-year-old male driver of the other Commodore was taken to Sir Charles Gardiner Hospital.

His 32-year-old male passenger was also seriously injured.

Anyone who may have witnessed the crash is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Domestic violence culprit walks free

Four out of five domestic abusers convicted of breaching a violence restraining order three times or more have escaped detention within the first five months of the new law coming into force. Source: PerthNow

A MAN jailed under WA's tough domestic violence laws has been freed on a technicality.

Mark Noel D'Costa was sentenced to eight months jail last year for breaching a violence restraining order three times, but this week won an appeal against the decision after successfully arguing two of his breaches should have been treated as one.

While the father-of-two never disputed the breaches, he maintained they should have been treated as one because he was convicted for both of them on the same day.

Anti-domestic violence campaigners say the decision sends out the wrong message to perpetrators as well as victims and have questioned the strength of the three-strikes law.

Mr D'Costa was banned from communicating with his wife and from coming within 50 metres of her home under the conditions of the VRO. Though he was allowed contact with his two sons.

On July 3, the fishing boat worker breached the order by texting his wife. Then on July 11, he breached it again by turning up at the house and knocking on the front door.

He was subsequently charged for both breaches and appeared in court on July 13.

After pleading guilty, he was fined $500 for the first offence and $350 for the second offence.

Two months later Mr D'Costa breached the VRO again this time by visiting the house in the middle of night to leave two business cards in the letterbox. A neighbour saw him and an altercation broke out. He then fled the scene but was caught by police a short time later.

During his hearing on October 9, the father-of-two said he went to the house at 2.50am to leave his contact details for his sons because he was heading to Shark Bay for four weeks for work.

But Magistrate Brian Gluestein said that while Mr D'Costa was a man of "previous good character'' he was warned during his previous court appearance that another breach could result in a jail sentence.
He then ordered he serve eight months in prison.

But this week Supreme Court judge Justice Stephen Hall overturned the sentence saying Magistrate Gluestein was wrong in treating the two previous breaches as two convictions and ordered Mr D'Costa's sentence be set aside. He resentenced him to a six month community based order adding the 42-year-old had pleaded guilty and had already served five months.

He also said the fact Mr D'Costa had only received fines for his previous breaches, meant eight months in jail was a "very large step'' and that a community based order would have been more appropriate.

But Angela Hartwig, from the Women's Council for Domestic and Family Violence, said the decision sent out the wrong message.

"It's very disappointing,'' she said. ``They are two separate actions. He (the offender) would have been aware the first time that it was a breach. He then chose to continue that behaviour.

"It sends this message out to other perpetrators that they can do this. And it sets a precedent that is in contradiction to the legislation and its intent.

"It's a pretty poor response.

"That second breach could have been one that might have been fatal and we can't afford to treat them lightly.''

Last year The Sunday Times revealed that four out of five domestic abusers convicted of breaching a violence restraining order three times or more escaped detention within the first five months of the law being in place. 

Drowning victim's new life turned tragic

The grief-stricken family of Jenon Biwot, who was swept out to sea at Clayton's Beach, Mindarie. Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper Source: PerthNow

THREE years ago, Jenon Biwot was given a second chance at life.

He came to Perth with his parents and five siblings after spending the first 11 years of his life in appalling conditions at a remote Ugandan camp.

Jenon left behind a tent city of 50,000 refugees, the only home he had known.

From that moment on, he would never have to worry about finding fresh water for his family, contracting deadly diseases from dirty toilets or being persecuted for being a Christian.

But what was supposed to be a blessing turned into a nightmare for the Biwot family last Sunday when the popular 13-year-old was swept out to sea at Clayton's Beach, Mindarie.

After an agonising 24 hours, his father, Materno, was told that his eldest son's lifeless body had been found beneath a reef 50m offshore.

It was a tragic end to a life only just beginning.

"He had a very passionate attitude towards others, he was very kind and easygoing, and he would enrich the lives of everybody he could," Mr Biwot told The Sunday Times.

A steady stream of friends and family have visited the Biwots' Mindarie home this week to remember the boy, who recently spoke about his dreams of going to university, becoming a property investor and joining a soccer club.

"Life was very difficult for Jenon in the camp. Jenon wanted to improve the quality of life of the entire family," said Mr Biwot, who is studying social services at university.

"We came here with nothing and his dream was to invest in property so we had a home to live in and didn't have to move from place to place.

"My family want to thank all of those people who helped look for Jenon and the community for its support.

"There are no words that can express my gratitude for what they've done for us."

Mr Biwot has invited Jenon's friends, family and community to a memorial at Clayton Beach today. Friends and family are asked to arrive by 4.30pm, and the general public from 5pm. Donations will be accepted.

Donations:
BSB 066183
Acct 10091408 Ref BIWOT 

Pill popping antics a dangerous practice

WA's chief medical officer Gary Geelhoed. Source: The Sunday Times

WA faces a "potential catastrophe, worse than a terrorist attack" if people continue to take antibiotics unnecessarily, the state's top medical boss has warned.

Chief Medical Officer Gary Geelhoed urged healthy people not to take antibiotics for a simple case of the flu or face a future where an infection would be fatal and surgeries impossible.

The over-use of antibiotics has created a new wave of dangerous 'superbugs' that are resistant to every medication doctors throw at it.

In response to the threat, WA Health is currently forming a specialist committee to restrict the use of antibiotics.

England's Chief Medical Officer this week joined other health authorities voicing alarm about the issue, ranking it alongside terrorism as a risk to the United Kingdom.

Prof Geelhoed said the problem was worse in other countries but there had been an increase in superbugs detected in WA over the past decade.

"In the worst case scenario, when you look at terrorism and you count the number of people who die, it pales in comparison to how (antibiotic resistance) could affect a lot more people," Prof Geelhoed said.

"It's becoming more of a problem now because the choices we have of antibiotics is running out.

"There is more and more resistance and this means that now some people are getting infections that we literally don't have an antibiotic to cure it and we're falling back on techniques that haven't been exercised for half a century or more.

"We are seeing more (antibiotic resistant bacteria), slowly year by year, we find that antibiotics that are tried and tested don't work anymore."

Prof Geelhoed said WA hospitals had stringent protocols in place to prevent the spread of superbugs, but it was up to everyone in the community, including patients and doctors, to act responsibly.

"For most people who get the flu, there is no benefit from antibiotics," Prof Geelhoed said. "Viral infections aren't affected by antibiotics, but if there are complications such as with older people or asthmatics or a bacterial respiratory infection, then antibiotics might be needed."

Continued overuse of antibiotics could lead to a future where doctors could not perform surgery because of the risk of the patient developing an untreatable infection.

"It could well be catastrophic if more people die from infection than presently and we would have to change the way we do things," Prof Geelhoed said. "For example transplants and operations in the abdomen and bowel, which is full of bacteria, may become too unsafe.

Microbiology expert David Speers said that as well as increasing the risk to the community, people who unnecessarily took antibiotics could develop future health problems.

"If a person uses a lot of antibiotics, that will give a growth advantage to resistant (bacteria) and change the bacteria in their gut," Dr Speers said. "If that person later develops an infection, then it may already be resistant to antibiotics.

"After taking antibiotics, you may not realise that anything is wrong, but there could be negative consequences later down the track.

Dr Speers said the new wave of superbugs had appeared in the 1990s, but had really picked up pace in the past five years.

"In WA, we've seen small increases, but nothing like in other parts of the world."

However, the growing crisis in other countries still put WA at risk because of the ease and prevalence of international travel.

Australian Medical Association President Richard Choong said some patients used medications they were previously prescribed by a doctor, which could lead to the unnecessary use of antibiotics.

"Also, some people inappropriately hold off longer than they should or are reluctant to take antibiotics and it may have progressed from a chest infection to pneumonia before they present and that's more difficult to treat," he said.

"There's also a lot of self-prescribing – where a patient is given a script for something or someone else and later on when they get something else, they self-initiate treatment and can take unnecessary medication."

To contact the reporter: linda.cann@news.com.au

Family ordered to return adopted child

A WA couple who adopted an abandoned baby from the Philippines in 2009 say they are devastated after being told they cannot keep the toddler.

A WA couple who adopted an abandoned baby from the Philippines say they are devastated after being told they cannot keep the child.

The parents, who do not wish to be named, legally adopted the child in 2009 but because neither parent lived overseas for 12 months when the adoption took place, their child has been refused the right to live in Australia permanently.

This is despite the fact she has been living here for the past three years.

"I am devastated," the child's mum told The Sunday Times.

"Our child is getting the best care, love and attention from us."

While staying at a Manila hotel on a visit to the Philippines, the woman found the abandoned child outside her room.

A search for the baby's mother led to an unmarried, jobless teenager.

The woman said she could not leave the child without proper care and started the adoption process.

The couple were told the child had to remain in Manila while they applied for a visa on "compelling and compassionate circumstances" because neither the woman nor her husband had been living overseas for more than 12 months when the adoption took place.

About 12 months later the child came to Perth on a bridging visa. Last month the couple were told their application for a permanent family visa had been denied by the Migration Review Tribunal.

The child's bridging visa runs out on Tuesday.

The couple said they had written to Immigration Minister Brendan O'Connor for help and were continuing to apply for bridging visas on their child's behalf.

The said they would even leave Australia in the worst case scenario.

The tribunal found that while some of the woman's claims about not inquiring about the adoption process in Australia to be "problematic", it accepted the woman lawfully adopted the child and there appeared to be a "genuine emotional bond between the two parties".

But it said there were no "compelling or compassionate circumstances" to override the 12-month overseas residence rule.

Colin's shining star - or biggest headache

Western Australian Premier Colin Barnett walks the streets with Perth MP Eleni Evangel. Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper Source: PerthNow

PREMIER Colin Barnett's star recruit, new Perth MP Eleni Evangel, has blasted his plan to put a light rail line through the city's malls.

A week after toppling Labor stalwart John Hyde in the CBD-based seat, Ms Evangel told The Sunday Times her party's plan to put a rail line through either Hay or Murray streets would ruin the look of Perth's busiest pedestrian space and cost retailers money.

In her first interview as an MP, the former Perth councillor said: "They (Liberal-National Government) are talking about light rail in either Murray or Hay streets, but I don't want them going through the malls.

"They are the centrepieces of our central business district and light rail would ruin the amenities of our malls."
The State Government's 22km Metro Area Express light rail would connect Mirrabooka to the CBD.

Mr Barnett has said the rail will be finished by 2018 and Transport Minister Troy Buswell has confirmed Hay St was the preferred west-east thoroughfare.

But Ms Evangel, 47, said it was the wrong decision and would hurt some of Perth's biggest retailers.

"I don't think light rail will do retailers any justice," she said.

"There are much better options St Georges Terrace and Wellington St."

She said she would raise the issue with the Government.

Ms Evangel, a mother-of-three born to Greek migrants, also supports gay marriage something Mr Barnett is opposed to.

"I had the right to be married. I don't see why a gay person shouldn't have the right to be married. It's quite simple," she said.

"I don't even see what the issue is. I have lots of gay friends.

"Who are we to make judgments on people?"

Ms Evangel said she was passionate about making Perth a better city to live.

But while Perth had taken significant steps in recent years to become a world-class city, it still lacked "sophistication".

"With deregulated shopping hours we have to encourage restaurants to stay open later," she said. "You can't get a decent meal in this city after 10pm when the kitchens close.

"It would be nice to get a healthy meal after midnight if you have flown in."

Ms Evangel said staggering retailers' opening times, and having more businesses introduce flexible starting and finishing times for employees would ease Perth's congestion woes.

Ms Evangel, a former primary school teacher, said the dangers of drinking should be taught at an early level at schools. And second languages should be compulsory learning.

"I remember feeling embarrassed when my mother would speak to me in Greek in public," she said. "Now I love the fact I can speak a second language."

Potty Perth: recycled water hits our homes

The Advanced Water Recycling Plant in Craigie. Source: The Sunday Times

HOUSEHOLDS across Perth will soon be drinking recycled waste water.

WA will be the first state to drink recycled water when up to 35 billion litres of treated sewage is pumped into our underground supply each year under a plan to be ticked off by the Barnett Government.

The Sunday Times can reveal the Water Corporation will recommend within weeks that treated waste from showers, washing machines and toilets be re-used to drought-proof the state.

Treated sewage has been quietly injected into Perth's aquifers during a trial that ended in December. WaterCorp will advise the Government the testing was a success with just one emergency shutdown.

However, the state Government will refuse West Australians a say in the proposal, after a public revolt stopped a similar plan in Queensland.

WaterCorp manager for water source planning Nick Turner said a large-scale project could be up and running within two years that could help drought-proof the state.

The authority's recommendation will come as part of a final report into a three-year trial in which about 2.5 billion litres of wastewater from a Craigie treatment plant was treated to Australian drinking standards and then injected into an isolated aquifer in Leederville.

Despite the trial finishing in December, the plant has continued to recharge the aquifer with treated sewage.

Under the Water Corporation plan, the same technology would be used to treat 25 per cent of wastewater from the Beenyup Wastewater Treatment plant that would then be injected into the aquifer and eventually end up in Perth homes.
Currently, water from Beenyup is discharged into the ocean.

"The results are all good, we've demonstrated that it's sustainable, that we can operate it, the regulations are in place and the public are supportive," Mr Turner said.

"We do not anticipate needing to do any more trialling.

"Our recommendation will be to proceed with expansion, but it's their call."

WaterCorp has previously said recycled water could supply 35 billion litres a year, enough for 140,000 households.
In comparison, the Kwinana desalination plant produces about 45 billion litres a year.

Mr Turner said the report was yet to receive input from the Health Department and Department of Environment and Conservation, but it was expected to be ready to go to the Government within weeks.

He said there could be no 100 per cent guarantee, but he said the plant was designed to shut off immediately if water purity was compromised.

A statement released by the corporation on March 30 last year revealed water that did not meet drinking standards was recharged into the aquifer during a "minor hiccup".

The statement said 300kL of water with a pH value of between 8.5 and 9 was allowed through, despite a guideline for the trial of 8.5.

Citizens Against Drinking Sewage spokeswoman Rosemary Morley, who successfully lobbied against a plan to introduce treated water into dams in the Queensland town of Toowoomba in 2006, said there were no guarantees.

But Ms Morley said the WA plan was different to one voted down in Queensland by a referendum.

kara.vickery@news.com.au

Words of wisdom from a two-year-old

Mason Cavilla with his parents Chris and Wendy. Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper Source: PerthNow

MASON Cavilla reaches out a comforting hand to the desperate man with tears in his eyes and says: "It's alright. Let's go out somewhere. Do you want to go outside for a few minutes?"

It appears the act of a kind friend, until you learn that Mason is only two years old and the distraught man is his father.

Chris Cavilla is ever-worried for his son Mason - a feisty toddler from Broome with blood cancer and a wisdom that constantly amazes his parents.

Despite his tender age, Mason understands there are some things a parent shouldn't have to watch their child go through.

Leukaemia and three-and-a-half years of gruelling chemotherapy is one of them.

Last year, Mason was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, which he has spent the past four months fighting with all the strength he has.

He endures chronic pain, severe nausea, constant injections and debilitating weakness that stops him in his tracks.

"He's the inspiration to my wife Wendy and I," Mr Cavilla says. "When things were getting really tough recently, he comes up to me and says: 'Daddy, it's alright. I think you need to outside and sit on the hammock for a few minutes'.

"Sometimes, he will just start praying and thanking the Lord for the nurses and doctors making him better.

"He bowls people over. His wisdom isn't what is normal for a two-year-old."

"I just sat there and looked at Wendy. It's a pretty amazing thing when a two-year-old says you need to chill out."

In honour of his brave son, Mr Cavilla is shaving his head Sunday for the Leukaemia Foundation's World's Greatest Shave.

"The Leukaemia Foundation provided us with a place to stay while we're in Perth for Mason's treatment because we live in Broome, but we have to stay down here for the next few years, until they knock out all the cancer hiding in his body.

"Family and friends have also been extremely generous in helping us."

To support Team Mason's fundraising efforts, go to http://my.leukaemiafoundation.org.au/teammason

For more information on the event, go to www.worldsgreatestshave.com or call 1800 500 088.

To contact the reporter: linda.cann@news.com.au

Man threatens staff in botched robbery

A ROBBER used a knife to threaten staff at a pharmacy in East Fremantle - but left empty handed.

The bandit  was holding a 30cm knife when he entered the Silas St store at 12pm.
 
He is described as having a dark complexion and was wearing a dark blue jacket, long dark pants and wide-rimmed hat.
 
Police are asking anybody with information to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Man, 88, and woman, 60, robbed

A SIXTY-year-old woman has fought off a would-be carjacker who was armed with a knife.

The woman had just parked her car on Hobbs Avenue in Como at 4.20 on Saturday afternoon when she was approached by a man who demanded her handbag and her keys.

When she refused, the bandit grabbed her handbag and dragged her to the ground while she hung onto it.

He then tried to steal the woman's car but she pushed him away.

The robber threatened her with a knife before running away.

The woman sustained a grazed elbow during the attack.

A short time later, Police located a 31-year-old man with the woman's bag.

He was charged with aggravated robbery and will appear in Perth Magistrates Court tomorrow.

In a separate incident, an 88-year-old man on a gopher was robbed while waiting at a bus stop in Rivervale yesterday afternoon.

The man was approached by a woman asking for money at Kooyong Road, near Gerring Court, about 3:30pm.

When he declined, the woman reached into his pocket and stole cash.

The man held on to the woman who then hit him on the arm.

A witness to the robbery flagged down passing police who arrested the 25-year-old Leederville woman a short time later.

Police recovered the man's money.

The woman has been charged in connection with two other shoplifting incidents and will appear Perth Magistrates Court tomorrow.

Challenge could get sharks off the hook

The four metre great white shark spotted by James Prascevic and Alan Falzon. Photo: Supplied Source: Supplied

THE state's controversial shark-kill laws are likely to be challenged in court.

The green group West Australians for Shark Conservation and international lobby group Sharks for Life have joined forces to take action.

They will release a report today that says the shark-kill laws breach UN guidelines and violate international endangered species agreements signed by the Federal Government.

They are hoping the case has similar hallmarks to the "Malaysian Solution'' asylum-seeker laws, which were thrown out by the judiciary because they were deemed unconstitutional.

Great white sharks remain a protected species, but laws altered by the State Government in September allow the Fisheries Department to destroy a shark that poses an imminent threat to people.

At the time, Premier Colin Barnett said it was "not going to be a shark hunt'' and since then only one kill order has been issued for a great white shark sighted repeatedly off Dunsborough in December.

WASC president Ross Weir said he believed the kill orders would not withstand a court challenge.

"We've gone over the legislation and the truth is, it's a violation of international laws and a violation of the United Nations world charter for nature and environment,'' he said.

But Fisheries Minister Norman Moore said: "I believe this policy is the right balance in trying to protect a protected species and human life. It has been developed in strict accordance with the law and we would defend it if it was challenged.''

Gatecrasher, 16, stabbed at party

Forensic police at a house in Brixham Way, Warnbro where a 16-year-old was stabbed at a party. Picture: Kerris Berrington Source: PerthNow

Forensic police at a house in Brixham Way Warnbro where a youth was stabbed at a gatecrashed party. pictures:KERRIS BERRINGTON Picture: Kerris Berrington Source: PerthNow

A teenage gatecrasher was repeatedly stabbed at a party in Perth's south and was taken to hospital with serious injuries.

Police said the 16-year-old boy went with a group of people to the party on Brixham Way, Warnbro on Saturday evening despite not being invited.

He was known to the hosts and was stabbed during a fight between several people.

He was driven to Rockingham Hospital and transferred from there to Royal Perth Hospital.

Two boys, aged 16 and 17, are in custody while police inquiries continue.

They have not yet been charged.

Police name Swanbourne murder victim

Police block off road surrounding the scene where the body was found. Picture: Matthew Poon Source: PerthNow

Police block off road surrounding the scene where the body was found. Picture: Matthew Poon Source: PerthNow

POLICE have identified the man who was shot dead in a Swanbourne park on Friday night.

The Major Crime Squad is treating the death of 32-year-old David Liam Johnson, who mostly used the name Liam, as a homicide.

Heavily armed officers were called to Lime Kiln Field, at the corner of Clement Street and Pine Court, on Friday night after a resident reported hearing an "explosion'' and discovered the man's body.

Others reportedly heard tyres screeching after the bang at about 11:30pm.

Worried neighbours woke to the sound of a police chopper as Tactical Response Group officers started a manhunt for the murderer.

Johnson was known to frequent Mandurah and Fremantle. Police say he moved a lot and had no fixed address.

Forensic officers scoured the scene yesterday for any clues to his death.

Police would not reveal details about his injuries, but said they believe he suffered fatal gunshot wounds.

Clement St couple Ian and Sue Thomas said they heard what sounded like "a bomb'' sometime after 11pm.

``I heard the explosion, but I didn't think it was that close,'' Mr Thomas said.

``It was a very big bang, it didn't sound like a gun shot to me - it sounded like a bomb being detonated.''

Other residents reported hearing several shots, but assumed they were coming from the nearby army barracks.

Neighbours Patricia Sainsbury and Betty Beattie said they did not hear the gunshot on Friday but heard the police helicopter above their street for about an hour.

``It's really bad, you think it would happen in other suburbs but it happens everywhere,'' Ms Sainsbury said.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Residents who may have seen anything suspicious around the time of the shooting have been asked to attend a mobile police station at Lime Kiln Field, at the corner of Clement Street and Pine Court in Swanbourne.