Insight

New South Wales doctor accused of financing an abduction ring that helped mothers take and hide their children in violation of family court orders says the truth will come out and he will be the one to expose it. William Russell Massingham Pridgeon, a 64-year-old Grafton doctor, is among those charged over their roles in a network that eluded authorities for a decade. He appeared in Brisbane magistrates court on Friday alongside co-accused Patrick O’Dea, Joyce Evelyn Fazldeen and Ariel Josephine Johnson. Patricia Ann Plaistead, a West Australian woman, remains at large. Federal police allege Pridgeon, founder of the Australian...

The alleged mastermind of a network that smuggled women and children around Australia will be forced to wear a GPS tracker when he is released on bail. Key points Doctor accused of financing a child-stealing syndicate has been granted bail The syndicate allegedly helped mothers who had taken children from their fathers A two-year investigation by AFP led to the charges   Doctor William Russell Pridgeon, 64, is accused of financing the syndicate, which allegedly helped mothers who committed parental abductions. Australian Federal Police said the women and children were hidden in locations around the country, using aliases and disguises to...

Two men will be extradited to Queensland to face allegations that they are part of a group organising parental child abductions. Key points: Police said the group allegedly aimed to help women abduct and hide their children They said 10 children had been safely returned home after being abducted AFP Assistant Commissioner Debbie Platz said more people may have been involved without knowing it   William Russel Massingham Pridgeon, 64, and Patrick Finbar McGarry O'Dea, 63, had charges against them in NSW dropped in Grafton Local Court on Thursday. The criminal charges laid against the men included child stealing, conspiracy...

A doctor is one of three men accused of helping parents abduct their own children across Australia in contravention of family law orders. Two men, aged 63 and 64, have faced court in Grafton Local Court today, while another man, aged 83, has appeared in Townsville Local Court on charges related to organising the abduction of three children who "have since been safely located", the Australian Federal Police said in a statement. A 78-year-old Perth woman has been served with a court attendance notice. Dr William Pridgeon, a GP from Grafton, is alleged to be the mastermind, using his wealth...