Australian man wrongly jailed for 19 years awarded millions
Sydney: An Australian economist who wrongfully spent nearly two decades in prison for the assassination of a high-ranking police officer was awarded more than Aus$7 million (US$4.75 million) in compensation on Monday.
Former public servant David Eastman was convicted in 1995 of killing Australian Federal Police officer Colin Winchester and sentenced to life imprisonment. Eastman, who had always maintained his innocence and mounted several appeals, was freed in 2014 after his conviction was quashed. The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Supreme Court ordered the jurisdiction’s government to pay him just over Aus$7 million. Eastman had sought at least Aus$18 million in compensation.
The 74-year-old told the court that not only had he lost the opportunity to have a family and pursue his career, his mother and sisters died while he was behind bars.
The court also heard that he witnessed a murder during his incarceration and still suffers vision impairment in one eye after he was assaulted by another prisoner in 2006. Lawyer Sam Tierney told reporters outside the court in Canberra that his client was “very happy” with the decision. “He’s lost a significant chunk of his life and he’s obviously got some thoughts in mind as to what he might do with (the money),” he said. It was unclear whether the ACT government would appeal the decision.
The case had already cost the territory more than Aus$30 million, according to public broadcaster ABC. Winchester was shot dead while getting out of his car near his home in suburban Canberra in 1989. No one has been held accountable for the murder. (AFP)
Lion unleashed on man for demanding wages in Lahore
Lahore: A caretaker of religious place here unleashed his pet lion on an electrician for demanding wages, recently. According to the Pakistani media report, a case of attempt to murder has been registered against the caretaker. Though the incident took place on September 9 in the capital of Punjab province, the complaint was lodged just two days ago.
According to the police, electrician Mohammad Rafique didn’t file any complaint against Ali Raza, caretaker of congregation hall Sada-e-Imam Hussain, as he had been promised proper treatment of injuries received in the lion attack. But when Raza refused to get his wounds treated and pay the compensation he had promised, Rafique lodged the complaint, the police said.
Raza had hired Rafique for some work at the congregation hall. When Rafique demanded the wages on the completion of the job, Raza told him to come later. “The caretaker kept delaying the payment. But when Rafique persisted, Raza got annoyed and unleashed his pet lion on him. The lion wounded his face and arm,” the police said.
Rafique’s cry for help alerted some passers-by and they rescued hi from the lion, the police said. A case under section 324 of the Pakistan Penal Code has been lodged against Raza. (IANS)