AUSTRALIA
Daily Telegraph
South Australias top detective shut down investigation into paedophile bus driver Brian Perkins after his arrest in 1993, inquiry told
NIGEL HUNT THE ADVERTISER MARCH 18, 2014
THE states most senior detective shut down an investigation into paedophile bus driver Brian Perkins after his arrest in 1993 that prevented further victims being identified, an inquiry has heard.
The order, given by Assistant Commissioner Colin Watkins, angered the detectives involved in the operation who believed Perkins may have sexually abused more students at St Ann’s Special School than the one he had been charged in connection with.
Detective Sergeant Len Mosheev told the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse that he had been in a meeting with the officers involved in Operation Deny when Mr Watkins telephoned the forward commander Detective Chief Inspector Peter Simons and gave the order.
A visibly agitated Det Mosheev said Det Chief Insp Simons was “told to inform us to cease.’’ He said the detectives were not allowed to examine any material seized from Perkins when they arrested him, which included a large number of photographs of naked men and boys, or continue further inquiries to identify any other potential victims.
Presiding member Jennifer Coate asked Det Mosheev if he was given any reasons and he replied “no, they would not give us reasons — none at all — and we were really angry and that’s documented in the ACB report’’.
“We didn’t know what was going on behind the scenes, but we didn’t think it was appropriate,’’ he replied. He said there was “so much more to look at’’ but he could not continue because disobeying a commissioned officer would mean “disciplinary action, possible sacking’’.
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