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Roy Arbon Supporters

  • Roy in Yonga Hill Detention Centre

      8 September 2017

    Roy just rang to say his new phone number is 0061896217048, extension 8020.

    He will be speaking with Australian Border Force about being served with the necessary Removal Order and the fastest way to repatriation.

    We shall pay for his airfare if that's expedient, and he has said that he need not be escorted (provided ABF feel that he will be boarding an aircraft to NZ I presume.)

    He's heard nothing to suggest that Hon Gerry Brownlee and NZ MFAT have interceded in any way (yet?)

    I began reading the trial transcript. If anyone wants it by email then just sing out.

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  • Roy on the move "shortly."

      6 September 2017

    I rang Roy to let him know that Tasman W/Coast Labour M.P. Damien O'Connor has asked our Foreign Minister Gerry Brownlee to assist in Roy's repatriation. I had a yack with Damien when I bumped into him in Motueka's High Street this morning.

    Roy says that he is being shifted "sometime" to Yongah Hill Immigration Detention Centre. Phone 0061 896217000 for a yack or his current digs

    0061 861519600.

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  • GRRRRR

      5 September 2017

    Roy rang this afternoon to say that his deportation will not occur for 6 to 8 weeks.

    I suggest that you individually contact the Australian High Commission if you feel that this is unjust.

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    • 05/09/2017 by Honora

      I surely will. Just about to google the email address. I don't suppose they're planning to send him to Nauru for a wee holiday.

  • Roy has been Acquitted

      2 September 2017

    Roy's lawyer Sarah emailed me at 6.45 p.m. NZ Time last evening to say that Roy's jury decided that he was not guilty by a unanimous 12-0 decision.

    I expect Roy will call me from the Detention Centre in Perth today afternoon NZ Time, when I hope to discuss his ETA in ChCh. I hope for my family and other supporters to meet him there and I'm prepared to fly him to Greymouth where he'll be supported by Graeme Macilquham.

    Craig Tuck and I have been talking about TV media coverage. Laura Mills of the Greymouth Star has been reporting what she can and this has been supportive of Roy.

    There's $2569.98 in the GAL a/c and as the purpose of it was to provide legal support for Roy I can canvass donors opinions on what to do with it now.

    Keep in mind that Roy will have on-going living costs until he's receiving State support, and Craig Tuck has worked for free. Craig kicked this off and he continues to speak for people in Roy's situation.

    I don't know what to say more except "Thank you all." I'm going for a walk in the park with Doro now so may be out of contact until 1.00. p.m.

    Contact me at 0274807425.

    David Renwick

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  • Trial next week

      23 August 2017

    Hello supporters. The rubber hits the road on the 28th in the Perth District Court.

    Roy's trial is expected to take up to four days and he has elected to be tried by Jury. Sarah's last appeal to the Prosecution to drop the charges was unsuccessful.

    Sarah Oliver will be calling Graeme "McPanel" and me as a Character Witnesses and our testimony will be heard by video-link from our local NZ Courts.

    I haven't spoken with Roy for 10 days, and he was his usual up-beat self.

    Roy's Enduring Power of Attorney, Stewart Robertson J.P. of Barrytown, is very unwell and I hope to visit him and Christine at their home on Friday 25th.

    This Give A Little page expires on 10 September and I won't be asking for another extension.

    Hopefully dear old Roy will be back here by then.

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  • Catch up on some changes and progress

      18 July 2017

    Roy recently moved back to Casuarina Prison.

    Postal address:

    Casuarina Prison

    Locked Bag No 1

    Kwinana Post Office

    KWINANA WA 6167

    He tells me that he has had his psychiatric report and I gather that his vulnerability to predatory people may be one of the significant observations of the psychiatrist. There were changes to Roy's behaviour after his scaffolding accident and these are being explored too.

    Sarah, his lawyer, may ask for the charges to be dropped due to Roy's diminished cognitive capacity, otherwise the battle will resume in Court next month.

    Stewart and I are still expecting Corrective Services W.A. to respond to questions over Roy's lawyers' correspondence (Privileged Mail) being opened, examined and withheld without his knowledge.

    Thanks "Cat" for that recent donation. When I informed Roy he was a bit vague so if you write to him he'll be overjoyed to acknowledge you.

    We have a few thou' left in the kitty and some of this may go to the Forensic electronic media person Theresa if she's required to appear in person.

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  • Access to Legal Documents

      1 May 2017

    Roy rang me today and spoke about Corrective Services in Hakea Prison refusing to give him letters from his lawyer (again.)

    I promised Roy that I'd address it immediately so I sent an email to the Aussie P.M's office and another to Australian Dept of Foreign Affairs & Trade. I received immediate responses from both, with PM's office directing me to the Dept Corrective Svcs.

    I made a formal on-line complaint and expect some action soon (been there before.)

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  • Trial Date Postponed

      13 April 2017

    The Give a Little Foundation has allowed another extension as Roy's trial date is now 28Aug17. This delay is due to his psychiatric examination scheduled for 21April17, and presumably his lawyer Sarah will need to strategise when the outcome is known.

    Roy appears pretty up-beat, and an old pal of his who visited him was staggered at his confidence.

    Roy told me recently that the NZ Police were also giving him a character reference! That should raise an eyebrow. Another Defence witness by Affidavit needs some high-powered clearance from his Government employer before it can be presented.

    We were approached by a TV documentary maker enquiring if "this hero" (her words) would be willing to participate, and Roy has agreed to this. The proposed presenter is street savvy and well-known award-winning journalist.

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  • Forensic Data-analyst paid

      27 March 2017

    Therese, the Sydney-based investigator investigating Roy's email and cell phone data, has presented her invoice, and I have paid that NZ$2655.55 today.

    Unfortunately Roy's new lawyer, Sarah Oliver, wasn't able to get Legal Aid for this.

    Therese will probably be giving evidence at Roy's trial, and hopefully she can do this by video from Sydney to the Perth Court so she doesn't incur travel costs.

    Tomorrow at 8.30 p.m. on TV1 there's a programme on Sharon Armstrong, a former Deputy Chief Executive of the Maori Language Commission, who in 2011 was conned by her new internet-found love interest into travelling from Buenos Aires to London with a suitcase containing cocaine. I believe she was arrested in B.A. on departure, and served a couple of years in jail. Quite a contrast in culpability/vulnerability compared with Roy as he had a recent history of poor decision-making - as demonstrated by his being conned several times.

    I had a conversation today with him, and I was startled by his naivety and gullibility in some of the incidents leading up to his arrest.

    Roy is using his time in custody well by preparing a manuscript (The Book) which I believe to be his auto-biography.

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  • Trial Date change

      15 March 2017

    Roy rang a couple of days ago to advise that his new trial date is Tuesday 17th July 2017. He expects it to take four days. He has another Court appearance on 1st June but is unsure what this is for.

    I believe that his trial delay may be due to his new Australian counsel Sarah Oliver ordering a comprehensive psychological assessment of Roy - something critical to a fair presentation of Roy's behavior and beliefs that created his predicament.

    He's also soliciting Character References, and these can be mailed to his postal address at Hakea Prison. (see previous Update for this.)

    Craig Tuck may not be further involved in this at this stage at least as Roy's legal needs seem to be catered for.

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  • Roy has moved

      1 March 2017

    Roy just rang to say that he has been moved to Hakea Prison, which is 19km from Perth (details below.) Albany was 400kms from Perth.

    He's unsure why, but as his trial is on the 20th I assume this is the reason. He still hasn't had a thorough psychological assessment, and this is critically important to his defence.

    I have asked him to press his new lawyer into getting it done a.s.a.p, as she will need to prepare herself adequately if she is to use the assessment in Court.

    He's still in good spirits and doesn't seem fazed by not knowing what's going on, and that concerns me.

    He has yet to meet his lawyer but has spoken with her.

    Hakea Prison

    Nicholson Road

    CANNING VALE WA 6155

    Telephone: +61 8 9366 6333

    Facsimile: +61 8 9366 6464

    Postal address:

    Hakea Prison

    Locked Bag 111

    CANNING VALE WA 6970

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  • Access to Legal Documents

      20 February 2017

    Roy rang me this morning understandably very upset at the behavior of the staff at Dept of Corrective Services at Albany Prison where he is in custody awaiting trial. Bear in mind that Roy is not a criminal, and is pleading Not Guilty to the Prosecution's charges.

    At the beginning of February Roy's NZ counsel couriered Roy documents relevant to Roy's defence.

    Last week Roy asked me to track them down, and I was able to tell him that the prison received them on 7th February. The prison placed the documents in Roy's detained property locker and didn't tell Roy that the documents had arrived. When Roy asked for them today they said that they would only allow him reading access to them at specific times, and otherwise he could not have access or take possession of them. Roy has contacted the NZ Consulate and they say that they cannot assist him.

    I have asked him to explore the appeal process and to formally complain to the Ombudsman immediately.

    I shall speak to his new Australian Counsel Sarah Oliver at Equus (Law) Chambers.

    It's pretty appalling.

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  • Critical Defence Funding

      18 January 2017

    Hello supporters.

    Roy will not receive a fair trial without adequate funding for his defence team. A critical point has been reached, and it's time for the rubber to meet the road.

    Please dig deeply. You wont regret it.

    Thank you

    David

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  • Trial Date

      13 December 2016

    Hello supporters.

    Roy rang last evening and said that a six-day trial will commence on 20th March 2017. No doubt he'll be getting anxious between now and then, so any letters of support will cheer him.

    I must say that he's pretty cheerful and pragmatic.

    He's still living at Albany Regional Prison and the details are in a previous post.

    Happy Christmas to all, and any donations are welcome.

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    • 20/02/2017 by Honora

      Thank god he's got you out there, David. Imagine if he hadn't. I'd hate Roy's optimism to be dampened. Is the Ombudsman an Australian one or a NZ one?

      I hope this new lawyer is good news for Roy.

  • Great Progress

      1 December 2016

    Hello supporters. A bit of a real news drought lately as there hasn't been much of any significance I can report.

    Craig and the Sydney-based forensic Private Investigator are flying to Perth on the 12thDecember, meeting with Seamus Rafferty his Australian lawyer, then visiting Roy in Albany Prison. Our donations will pay for the P.I.s modest travel and accommodation.

    Roy is cheerful and optimistic and had been tenaciously battling with Australian Gov't agencies to get an 800 page trial transcript of a similar case (where the accused was found not-guilty.) I believe the thrust of the defence was that the accused was easily duped, lacked the character and capacity to intentionally smuggle drugs and was very vulnerable.

    This week Craig was contacted by a London Metropolitan Police Detective Sergeant who had spoken with Roy in relation to the "Advance Fee" scam that Roy, along with 70 others, was a victim of last year. The Detective wasn't aware that Roy had been arrested in Perth (and was puzzled that Roy's contact had dried up.) He previously felt that Roy was very vulnerable, and given Roy's current needs, has indicated that he may provide Roy with some supportive testimony.

    My thanks to Craig, his team, yourselves and others who feel morally compelled to support otherwise defenceless people.

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  • Just an update

      7 September 2016

    Hello dear supporters, donors and our newest donor Sue H. Thank you for your gift. I'll tell Roy when I next speak with him (probably this week.)

    Roy is still cheerful and realistically optimistic when we talked a few days ago. Craig Tuck and his forensic team are capturing all the electronic correspondence Roy had with the criminals who led him through this, and I'm cheered that well-respected and competent people like Craig believe in him. Last week he was speaking on Nat'l Radio of a recent case in Bali where a NZ woman has been arrested on a drugs charge.

    Roy had asked me to bring to Craig's attention a recent case in Perth very similar to his, where the victim was found to be not guilty by jury after two trials. Here's the link http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-09-07/singaporean-man-on-trial-accused-of-importing-ice-haul-to-perth/6756190

    One of the cruelest things about our system of justice is the practice of imprisoning people, while awaiting trial, who do not pose a "flight risk." The Australian Federal Police, like most Police, oppose bail in cases like this, even though Roy would probably promise to return to Perth to have his trial. That's his honest nature, and no-one wants to be looking over their shoulder all their life, awaiting re-arrest. He doesn't expect the trial to begin until August 2017. This is due mainly to the volume of cases that the Courts are handling, and NZ has a similar problem. The other consideration is that the defence needs to prepare its case very thoroughly too, and evidence-gathering can be pretty methodically tedious and frustrating. Of course if he pleaded guilty, then the Judge needs only sentence him, and it'll be over by lunchtime yesterday.

    Please write to Roy at:

    Roy Arbon,

    Albany Regional Prison,

    Locked Bag 2,

    Albany 6330, W.A.

    Australia

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  • Bail Application news

      20 August 2016

    Hello all. Roy received some rotten news from Immigration Australia recently. On his arrest on 18Feb16 his visa was cancelled, and for him to be allowed bail now he must get approval from Immigration Australia to enter Australia.

    They have refused to allow entry, therefore any bail application is pointless. Perhaps his first lawyer could have explored this before he made the first bail application some months ago?

    I spoke with Roy last evening, and he says that his next step is a depositions hearing on 31st August. I believe that this is where the parties tell each other what they have (discovery.)

    He's still cheerful, and talking about a preference for a Detention Centre, where he says he'll have more "freedom."

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  • Bail Application progress and Defence progress

      22 June 2016

    Hello dear supporters.

    This week Craig (Roy's NZ lawyer) will receive a payment of $845 from you all. This represents some of his costs for the Sydney meeting with the computer forensic people and subsequent preparation, shared equally with another client.

    In readiness for a favourable Bail application, I've been checking out suitable accommodation options, and seeing whether Roy can receive his NZ superannuation (if he's not in custody.)

    He's getting some Consular support with MFAT when Corrections Oz needs a shake-up. Pretty frustrating dealing with non-people in Australian Govt Depts in my experience.

    Roy is hopelessly optimistic! It's wonderful.

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    • 12/07/2016 by Joanne

      Hi David, I'd like to get in contact with you about Roy's case as I am a journalist with Fairfax Media. I can be reached at joanne.carroll@fairfaxmedia.co.nz if you could drop me an email that would be great, Thanks Joanne

  • Perth Accommodation

      16 June 2016

    Roy rang yesterday asking that I locate some budget caravan-park type accommodation for him, in support of his forthcoming bail application.

    If anyone knows of anything please let me know ASAP, as although the internet should be well geared for this, there are many false leads.

    David

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  • Whoopee - donations!!

      30 May 2016

    Thanks again everyone for the burst of donations over the weekend.

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  • Bail Application

      30 May 2016

    Several weeks ago Roy's Australian lawyer made an unsuccessful bail application for Roy. Shortly, his NZ lawyer, Craig Tuck, will make another application, and this has a better chance of success as the lead-in time is much greater. This gives him more time to effect the anticipated bail conditions, including the expected $200,00 bond.

    The success of the application also rests on Roy's living arrangements while he is on bail. As he knows only one person in the area, and he has few other resources, his opportunities are slim. So, if anyone knows of a potential residence and job for Roy please let me know. He told me that "I'll do anything." One of his paid jobs currently is cleaning the Unit windows, for which he gets about $3.

    Please write to Roy - ALL letters are appreciated and enjoyed.

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  • Closer to home?

      19 May 2016

    Roy may ask through his NZ lawyer that if he's to be held in custody, he would like to be transferred to a NSW prison as it's closer to family and his NZ lawyer.

    It will certainly stretch our dollars as at present a round trip to Perth is around $2k including accommodation.

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    • 19/05/2016 by Honora

      That would be a good development. Best of luck, Roy.

  • Albany Prison is Roy's temporary home

      18 May 2016

    Please write to Roy and send photos of yourself, especially ones where you both feature. He's in remarkably good spirits, and his pragmatic nature is being put to good use here. Postage is $2.00 Airmail from NZ and takes about seven days.

    Roy ARBON

    Albany Regional Prison

    Locked Bag 2

    ALBANY WA 6331

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