Robert Kevin McCullough: Alleged court escapee fails in another bid for freedom

A child sex offender who allegedly escaped from court earlier this year after he gave a fake name has failed in another bid for freedom — this time a legal one. Robert Kevin McCullough, 39, appeared in Perth Magistrates Court via video link from Hakea prison on Friday morning after he allegedly masterminded an escape from the same courthouse on August 22. Mr McCullough allegedly misidentified himself by using another man’s name before being released from custody by G4S custodial service staff — sparking a manhunt lasting more than 24 hours only after they realised the wrong person had been released. The accused handed himself in at Perth Police Station before he was charged with escaping from lawful custody. He was facing nine child sex offences, including four counts of indecent dealing with a child aged between 13 and under 16, at the time of his “unlawful release”. He was also facing two counts of sexually penetrated a child over the age of 13 and under 16. During Friday’s court hearing, Mr McCullough shook his head in disbelief when his legal representation told the court he would be remanded in custody for six weeks in order for another lawyer to visit him. He looked shocked and uttered the word f...k before asking the magistrate whether he could apply for bail. “Not today,” the magistrate replied. Mr McCullough will next face court on November 28. The Department of Justice, in a statement to The West Australian this week, admitted a failure to follow “existing policies and procedures contributed” to the alleged escape. “Improved procedures, technologies and training will further strengthen the safe management of people being held in court custody,” a spokeswoman said. Corrective Services Minister Paul Papalia on Friday declined to shed any light on the specific action taken to address the failures from staff. “I’m not sure whether anything’s been kept secret, but I think with regard to that, it has been subject to an inquiry,” he said. “The incorrect release of that individual has been subject to an inquiry, there were failures identified, and actions have been implemented to mitigate against it reoccurring. “You can understand that maybe in many cases, you don’t want to reveal all of your measures aimed at preventing people from doing the wrong thing, people who are by definition likely to do the wrong thing or looking potentially to do the wrong thing, so you don’t necessarily want to convey all of your measures publicly. “I understand that action has been taken to address those failures.” When asked if anyone had lost their job, Mr Papalia said “I don’t know”. In State Parliament, the Attorney-General rejected the opposition’s request to table the findings and outcome of the investigation - with a flat “No”. “It’s one thing for the Government not to release the full investigation report, but that’s not what the Opposition have asked for,” Shadow Attorney-General Nick Goiran said. “I asked for a simple summary of the findings and outcome. At least something to reassure the community that lessons have been learned and accountability has occurred. Instead, we’ve been met with arrogance. “There is no good reason why the public should be kept in the dark about a matter as serious as a prisoner escape. “If the Government cannot explain what went wrong . . . how can Western Australians have confidence it won’t happen again.” The Department said court security and custodial services at the central law courts and Perth District Court building was provided under contract with Western Liberty Group (WLG). G4S Custodial Services, who conducted their own internal review into the alleged escape, provide security at the court building as a subcontractor to WLG. A spokesman for G4S said they would not be making any comment on their internal investigation or the incident after being sent a series of questions.