Saturday 12 November 2011

Rebecca Michels' family engages solicitor to help make contact with her

BY Lisa Davies, Mark Buttler
 UPDATE 2.37pm: THE family of a woman believed to be on the run with her husband has engaged a solicitor to act as an intermediary, believing she is too fearful or embarrassed to make contact with them or police. 
Craig Stanley and Rebecca Michaels fled their home in Frankston last month after police raided their property and seized their computer.
Sydney solicitor Ben Archbold today confirmed he had been instructed by family of Ms Michels to act in her best interests.
“Rebecca’s family are extremely worried about her, and after receiving instructions to act, I now urge her to make contact with me,” Mr Archbold said.
“If she is too embarrassed to contact family or if she’s fearful of the police or the legal system for whatever reason, I urge her to make contact so we can resolve this matter.”
He said if one of the reasons for Rebecca not handing herself in was the prospect of jail, she could be reassured he knew of the allegations and that there were alternatives to full-time custody if she was charged and the matter was proven.
The couple are believed to have been in hiding for a couple of weeks, but police cannot rule out they have left Victoria.
However, another avenue being investigated is that they have slipped into regional NSW undetected.
The last person to see them before they vanished was told they were being picked up by someone else.
Haulage contractor Matt Scobie explained that the couple came across him in Ballarat on October 28 and inquired about having a car transported.
The next day they arranged to drop their rented Nissan X-Trail at Mr Scobie's depot in nearby Ross Creek.
Mr Stanley arrived at the depot at lunchtime and paid $220 to have the car taken back to Frankston.
He said he thought it cheaper to have the vehicle transported.
"He said he had to get it back because it was running out of (free) kilometres," Mr Scobie said.
"I said, 'Do you need a lift anywhere?' and he said, 'No, they're picking me up'."
The couple had hired the X-Trail before leaving Frankston on October 27, the day police raided their house at Langwarrin.
Computers were seized and arrest warrants issued after they were checked.
Stanley is said to have spent time hunting down ghosts around Victoria, visiting cemeteries and monuments hoping to crack an X-File, Fairfax media reports.
The mysterious 28-year-old has also worked as a bodyguard, private investigator and a tour guide who had an interest in prospecting for gold.
The couple are believed to have scrambled together $4000 to go on the run.
Sources have told the Herald Sun they took the money from a bank account but family believed they had "slightly more than that" before they vanished.
Rebecca Michels' family has sought legal advice "in the event of her arrest", knowing the 25-year-old will be questioned by police about "serious offences" being investigated.
Her father, Ross McAdie, said he desperately wanted his daughter to call home and that an extended family member was on hand in Victoria should she need help.
"Right at the moment I would give anything in the world to hear her voice," Mr McAdie said.
"It's an emotional roller-coaster."
He added that his daughter would not want to remain a fugitive.
"As big as this country is, I can't see my daughter living in a humpy in the outback," Mr McAdie said.
"I'm a father who is trying to make sense of this behaviour."
 - with Anthony Dowsley
Anyone with information should contact Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppers.com.au
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