His family are still awaiting answers, 35 years on from his disappearance.

Sam Kawe tried to torch a house with diesel-filled Molotov cocktails.

A top barrister from a prominent legal family has been spared jail time after trying to falsely claim fees from vulnerable class action clients.

Norman O'Bryan, who is related to three judges, clearly breached the trust of the Banksia Securities class action members, Victorian County Court Judge Fran Dalziel said.

But the 68-year-old's remorse and longstanding good character meant he could be sufficiently punished without being sent to jail, the judge said.

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He was instead convicted and sentenced to a four-year community corrections order with 600 hours of unpaid community work – the maximum amount that can be ordered by the court.

"This was not a subtle crossing of the line," Judge Dalziel said in her sentencing remarks on Thursday.

"The dishonesty was blatant and would have been obvious to Mr O'Bryan as he carried it out."

Banksia Securities collapsed in October 2012, owing about $663 million to more than 16,000 debenture holders, many of whom were elderly and lost their retirement funds.

A judge approved a $64 million settlement for class action members, and about $20 million in fees and commissions for lawyers, including O'Bryan.

O'Bryan's offending was uncovered after Wendy Botsman, a retired nurse and debenture holder, appealed against the Supreme Court settlement as the legal fees attached were excessive.

O'Bryan and another lawyer, who has since died, attempted to dissuade Botsman from pursuing her appeal by threatening her with further costs.

But her appeal was upheld, and the matter was remitted to the Supreme Court, where a judge found against O'Bryan in 2021.

Justice John Dixon ordered more than $20 million to be recovered, and O'Bryan sold his house to pay back $1.25 million.

He declared bankruptcy, was struck off as a barrister in 2021, and returned his Order of Australia medal.

Police began investigating O'Bryan in 2022 and found he billed the class action members at the same time as being overseas or representing other clients in court, including the ACCC.

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None of the clients was made to pay the falsely claimed fees, but Judge Dalziel found harm was still caused, and O'Bryan's conduct should be condemned.

"He breached the trust of his clients and failed to act with the integrity required of lawyers in general and senior counsel in particular," the judge said.

But Judge Dalziel accepted O'Bryan had shown remorse by pleading guilty to a charge of attempting to obtain a financial advantage by deception.

He was also of prior good character through his years of extensive pro-bono work, and there was little to no chance he would re-offend, the judge found.

She sentenced O'Bryan to the four-year corrections order with conviction, noting he would have been jailed for two years if he had not pleaded guilty.

O'Bryan's father and grandfather – both also named Norman O'Bryan – spent decades as Supreme Court judges during the 20th century.

His brother Michael O'Bryan was made a Federal Court judge in 2019 and on Thursday handed down a landmark decision in the consumer watchdog's case against Coles.

O'Bryan's other brother, Stephen, became a silk in 2003.

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The agreement covers plans for 12,000 new homes, 350ha of industry and 15,000 new jobs.

Their conversation is likely to have global ramifications – and one topic will be high on the agenda.

The unit is expected to serve around 500,000 people over its lifetime.

Pauline Timu was sentenced for manslaughter, ill-treatment and violence towards children.

A man has been arrested after a woman was fatally stabbed inside a home in Canberra's inner north this morning.

Emergency crews were called to a home on Dryanda Street in O'Connor after receiving reports that a 51-year-old man had allegedly stabbed his relative with a knife.

She was rushed to hospital in a critical condition, but died en route.

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Another man, who lived at the home, was also taken to hospital with injuries he sustained during the incident.

The 51-year-old was arrested at the scene and taken to hospital under police guard.

More to come. 

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An 18-year-old who spread Islamic State propaganda online and threatened a Melbourne synagogue has walked free after spending almost a year behind bars awaiting sentence.

The teenager, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, was sentenced in children's court on Thursday after pleading guilty to counter-terrorism offences, including publishing extremist material and using a carriage service to make a threat to kill.

Police arrested the teen in May 2025 after he allegedly emailed the Melbourne Hebrew Congregation under the name Adolf Hitler, warning that a gunman would attack the synagogue during Shabbat services.

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The court heard he also uploaded an Islamic State promotional video to Instagram showing captives being executed, alongside images of himself posing with knives and machetes.

Supported by his parents, the teenager smiled and waved as he entered court for sentencing.

His lawyer argued detention had taken a significant toll on his client, telling the court the teenager faced major health challenges and had good prospects of rehabilitation.

"There is also a reflection the impact of that custody has had. It is not controversial that he has found it harder than a person of average health," the lawyer said.

The magistrate released the teenager under a 12-month supervision order, describing it as the toughest penalty available outside detention.

Under the order, he must attend weekly appointments with a forensic psychologist, cannot access the internet unless supervised, and is banned from going within 200 metres of the Melbourne Hebrew Congregation synagogue.

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He is also prohibited from purchasing weapons.

"It is not in dispute that he should be released," the magistrate said.

"Only so much can be done here, nothing is going to be perfect."

The court heard the teenager had already spent 357 days on remand before sentencing.

In handing down the decision, the magistrate noted the teen lived with several complex conditions, including autism, ADHD, oppositional defiant disorder and borderline cognitive functioning.

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The teenager had previously faced separate counter-terrorism charges in 2021, but those proceedings were halted in 2023 after a magistrate found police had acted inappropriately during the investigation.

Outside court, his parents said they planned to sue the Australian Federal Police, alleging the agency discriminated against their son because of his age and disability.

"We have suffered," they told reporters.

The teenager will return to court in May next year for judicial monitoring.

– with Associated Press

If you have been impacted by the attack in Bondi there is support available.

To contact Lifeline Australia, call 13 11 14 or text 0477 13 11 14. For people under 25, you can contact Kids Helpline at 1800 55 1800.

Both of these are available 24/7.

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Tributes are flowing for a Sydney girl who died suddenly after a sudden brain bleed on Monday.

Nine-year-old Hannah Teklic is being remembered as a "bright and beautiful soul" who loved to play sport with her friends.

Her football club, Marrickville FC, will wear black armbands in her honour this weekend.

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"Hannah loved playing football with her friends and had been part of Marrickville FC for three years," the club said on social media.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with her parents Ivan and Wasima, her family, friends and teammates during this difficult time.

"Hannah will be laid to rest in Ireland, with her loved ones.

"Fly high Hannah, watch over us all."

An online fundraiser set up for the family to assist with funeral costs and ease the financial burden has raised more $40,000.

The community has wrapped its arms around the family, sending condolences and paying tribute to the nine-year-old girl.

"Hannah loved playing soccer, and her team will deeply miss the force that she was on the field," one person said.

"Terrible news, such a loss for all and so terribly sad for her family and friends," another said.

The Matildas football team also said its hearts were with Hannah's family, friends and teammates at this "incredibly difficult" time.

"Her love of the game and playing with her friends represents everything beautiful about the game, and our thoughts are with everyone at the club, her family and her friends," a statement from the Matildas said.

"Hannah will always be part of our football family."

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