Accused arsonist trial
JURORS in the trial of the man accused of lighting the fatal Churchill Black Saturday fires have entered a fourth day of deliberations. Brendan James Sokaluk, 42, pleaded not guilty to arson causing death over the 7 February 2009 fire which killed 10 people and destroyed 36,000 hectares.
Jurors began deliberating lunchtime Thursday and will return to the Victorian Supreme Court this morning.
Warrant out for sex offender
Victoria Police is seeking information on the whereabouts of 58 year-old serious sex offender Terrence O’Hara, who could be in the Latrobe Valley. Police have been unable to locate the Melton man who breached his court-ordered curfew since Friday. According to a Police Media statement, police are unsure if O’Hara was still in the Melton area and said he had “been known to frequent the Latrobe Valley and St Kilda areas and has ties to South Australia.” O’Hara may be travelling in a maroon vehicle with a black boot. Anyone with information should phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
