Witness: William Tyrrell – Episode 7: Malicious Prosecution

Hosted by Dan Box for news.com.au’s investigative podcast series, “Witness” delves deep into the perplexing case of William Tyrrell’s disappearance and the subsequent malicious prosecution of Bill Spedding. This episode uncovers the intricate details of the investigation, the wrongful arrest of Spedding, and the profound impact on his life and family.

1. Introduction to the William Tyrrell Case

The podcast opens with the mysterious disappearance of three-year-old William Tyrrell from his family home in Kendall, New South Wales, on September 12, 2014. Last seen wearing his favorite Spider-Man suit, William’s disappearance has remained unsolved for nearly a decade. According to Detective Hans Rupp (00:00):

Hans Rupp: “There was an initial phase searching for a lost child. ... There was something more to the situation than a little boy lost in the bush.”

Rupp, a seasoned detective with over 41 years in law enforcement (01:16), believes William was abducted by a stranger, dismissing any notion that William wandered off on his own (02:34).

2. Bill Spedding’s Role and Initial Interactions

Bill Spedding, an ordinary grandfather residing in Bonny Hills near the disappearance site, becomes a central figure in the investigation. On the morning of William’s disappearance, Spedding was repairing a washing machine at a nearby property (07:19). He reported receiving strange phone calls from the house but insisted he wasn’t present when William went missing (10:43).

Bill Spedding: “I wasn't there. ... The police were really getting upset with me because they were asking questions which I had no knowledge of.”

Despite his alibi, police suspicion soon turns towards him, leading to invasive raids on his home and business (09:02).

3. The Investigation Process and Police Missteps

Detective Hans Rupp, nearing retirement during the initial investigation, later expresses concerns about the police’s focus on Spedding, fueled by an anonymous and dubious tip (16:33). Gary Jublin, a retired detective, takes over the case and orchestrates aggressive tactics to prosecute Spedding for unrelated historical offenses (22:14).

Hans Rupp: “They focused too heavily on Bill Spedding once they had what was probably a distorted piece of fabricated information on an anonymous tip.”

The investigation lacked a coherent plan, and despite Spedding’s clear alibi supported by bank records and eyewitnesses, the police pursued charges without sufficient evidence (20:02).

4. Media Frenzy and Public Scrutiny

The police raids and subsequent arrest of Bill Spedding thrust him and his family into intense media scrutiny. Spedding describes the ordeal of being surrounded by media trucks and reporters, leading to chaos and distress (30:14). The relentless media presence exacerbated the stress on the Spedding family, causing their business to collapse and leading to severe emotional and financial strain (37:35).

Bill Spedding: “We felt we were in a fish birdcage or a fish tank where everyone's staring in.”

5. Court Proceedings and Vindication

After enduring months of harassment, Spedding was eventually placed on bail. The trial spanned three years, during which Spedding and his family faced immense hardship. On March 5, 2018, Spedding was found not guilty of all charges. The New South Wales Supreme Court awarded him nearly $2 million in compensation in December 2022, condemning the prosecution as malicious and unfounded (41:19).

Court Judgment: “There was no reasonable or probable cause to institute or maintain the criminal prosecution against Mr. Spedding.”

The court criticized the police for relying on faulty information and failing to verify Spedding’s alibi, effectively ruining his life through baseless accusations.

6. Reflections and Ongoing Implications

Detective Hans Rupp remains unapologetic, believing firmly in the methods employed during the investigation despite the court’s ruling (52:26). He acknowledges the court’s findings but does not express personal remorse towards Spedding.

Hans Rupp: “If you think otherwise, well, they're upset about it now.”

Gary Jublin, who oversaw the investigation, maintains his stance, claiming that the arrest was a necessary step in pursuing all leads to find William Tyrrell. However, the podcast highlights significant procedural flaws and ethical breaches in his approach.

The episode concludes by emphasizing the lasting damage inflicted on Spedding and his family, advocating for a parliamentary inquiry into the investigation's conduct to prevent similar miscarriages of justice in the future (56:18).

Notable Quotes

• Hans Rupp (00:00): “There was something more to the situation than a little boy lost in the bush.”
• Bill Spedding (10:43): “I wasn't there. ... The police were really getting upset with me because they were asking questions which I had no knowledge of.”
• Hans Rupp (16:33): “They focused too heavily on Bill Spedding once they had what was probably a distorted piece of fabricated information on an anonymous tip.”
• Bill Spedding (30:14): “We felt we were in a fish birdcage or a fish tank where everyone's staring in.”
• Court Judgment (41:19): “There was no reasonable or probable cause to institute or maintain the criminal prosecution against Mr. Spedding.”
• Hans Rupp (52:26): “If you think otherwise, well, they're upset about it now.”

Conclusion

Episode 7: "Malicious Prosecution" of the “Witness: William Tyrrell” series meticulously unravels the flawed investigation that led to the wrongful arrest and prosecution of Bill Spedding. Through interviews, court findings, and personal testimonies, the podcast underscores the devastating impact of police misconduct and media frenzy on an innocent individual and his family. The episode serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of due process and the dire consequences of its absence.