NEWS > 17 June 2007

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Sydney Morning Herald - Sydney
17 June 2007

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New South Wales Police

Australia: Inquiry recommends

A HIGH-PROFILE detective is facing the sack over claims he mishandled the investigation into the suspected murder of Bathurst woman Janine Vaughan.

Detective Inspector Paul Jacob's dismissal has been recommended by the Police Integrity Commission following its inquiry into Ms Vaughan's disappearance in 2001.

The Sun-Herald has learned the burly detective's fate is in the hands of Police Commissioner Ken Moroney, who must decide if the officer still has his confidence.

Inspector Jacob, who is on stress leave, was appointed to the still-unsolved Vaughan case a week after she vanished.

Last year the PIC heard claims that police investigators went lightly in pursuing leads involving former local detective Brad Hosemans. Inspector Jacob testified that thorough scrutiny yielded no evidence of any contact between Mr Hosemans and Ms Vaughan.

The inspector was accused of misleading the NSW Ombudsman over doubts about Mr Hosemans's alibi. It was claimed that Mr Hosemans was treated lightly because he was related to Assistant Police Commissioner Graeme Morgan, who heads the State Crime Command.

Inspector Jacob vigorously contested the allegations, saying his team thoroughly investigated all leads.

While he helped convict "granny killer" John Glover and heart surgeon Victor Chang's killers, Inspector Jacob is better known for investigating the 1995 death at The Gap of model Caroline Byrne, a case he inherited from other officers.

Last week Byrne's boyfriend, Gordon Wood, faced a committal hearing - which is continuing - to determine if he should stand trial for her murder.

Prosecutors allege the one-time chauffeur of the late Rene Rivkin threw Byrne off The Gap to prevent her revealing Rivkin's involvement in the Offset Alpine insurance fire. Before his death in 2005, Rivkin and former federal senator Graham Richardson were caught up in an inquiry into the multimillion-dollar insurance payout after the fire.

Senior police sources warned that Mr Moroney would face a rank-and-file backlash if Inspector Jacob were removed.

"It's not as though Jaco's been found guilty of harbouring a murderer," one said. "There's not the slightest bit of proof this bloke [Mr Hosemans] actually had anything to do with it. So tell me, what's he done to warrant being sacked?"

Another senior detective said: "He's among the best two or three I've come across - as an investigator, as an honest cop and as a bloke with the moral courage to do the right thing when others might not."

Byrne's father Tony has praised Inspector Jacob as a brilliant investigator. NSW Police Association president Bob Pritchard said he would "receive every assistance to which he is entitled and that we can afford him".

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Article sourced from

Sydney Morning Herald - Sydney17 June 2007

Australia: Inquiry recommends

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Sydney Morning Herald - Sydney
17 June 2007