Child abuser cops a bullet

Disclaimer: Whilst exceedingly rare it is acknowledged that it is theoretically possible to be a family Law solicitor without abusing children, however their job - oppossing one of the parent's contact with the child damages children for life and is serious child abuse

Note the efforts to sell this man as a 'nice guy'.

Father pays high price for generosity

http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/evening-trip-to-office-leaves-solicitor-dead/2006/07/11/1152383741200.html

POLICE believe bad timing may have led to the death of a solicitor in Melbourne's north after he disturbed someone trying to burn down his legal practice on Monday night.

David Meredith Robinson, 56, was shot in the upper body in a lane at the back of his office in Station Street, Fairfield, after arriving at the premises about 8.30pm with his son, Nick, who needed to print a school assignment on the office computer.

Homicide detective Senior Sergeant Ron Iddles said Mr Robinson and his son discovered the glass panel on the front door had been smashed and a small amount of burning paper had been pushed through the mail slot.

Mr Robinson told his son to remain in the front office as he called his wife and began searching the premises. He then found smouldering paper under the rear door.

Police said he was confronted by a man when he opened the door to a rear lane. Several neighbours heard an argument between two men.

Senior Sergeant Iddles said a witness had also seen a "considerable struggle" before two or three shots were fired from a handgun, one striking Mr Robinson.

Mr Robinson then staggered about 50 metres along the lane before collapsing next to a bus shelter outside Fairfield railway station.

A passer-by tried to help and another flagged down an ambulance that was driving past, but he died at the scene — moments before his wife, Helen, arrived.

"The sad reality of the whole business is that it's all to do with timing," Senior Sergeant Iddles said.

"Had he have not come to the shop to print his son's document out, he would still be alive. Here's a guy doing the right thing by his son to come down and print out 40 pages of the assignment so he can hand it in (yesterday) at uni. He's gone out the back and he's been shot dead. It's a pretty sad world."

Accompanied by his mother, Mr Robinson's son Tom yesterday made an emotional plea for information as he read from a prepared statement.

"(My father) had practised in this area as a solicitor for 30 years," he said.

"David was a loving husband and father of three sons. His family has lived in the area for 30 years. We know of no reason why anyone would wish to harm him," he said.

"We would ask that anyone who knows anything to come forward. We are very distressed and request that our privacy be respected at this very difficult time."

Forensic police spent several hours at the scene yesterday as State Emergency Service volunteers searched the area.

Senior Sergeant Iddles said blood other than Mr Robinson's was found at the scene suggesting his killer was injured in the struggle.

Mr Robinson attended Scotch College before completing his law degree at Melbourne University.

He practised mainly in property settlement, conveyancing, family law and the occasional criminal matter.

Senior Sergeant Iddles speculated that the killer might have been a disgruntled client.

(my emphasis) "It may turn out to revolve around something from the Family Law Court. Sometimes they are very emotive and I just think this has got a lot of emotion attached to it," he said.

Channel Seven's Better Homes and Gardens personality Lissanne Oliver sublet a rear office on Mr Robinson's premises until she recently bought a larger house from which she was able to work.

"David was the loveliest man with such a great sense of humour and was just a pleasure to be around," she said.

"They're a gorgeous family and real community business people and I couldn't have rented a better space.

"An example of how generous David and Helen are is when I left they allowed me to continue using their post office box so I didn't have to reprint my stationery, which they were under no obligation to do. But that's the type of kind and helpful people they are."

Station Street traders were still coming to terms with the tragedy yesterday.

Chafic Farah, from Alfio's Caffe next door to Mr Robinson's office, described him as "a good man, a family man". "I can't believe it."

Real estate agent Angelo Pateras said: "I've known David since I was a little boy … He's a family man and his wife owns the Fairyfields shop a couple of doors down from his office.

"They both seemed to be hard working family people.

"I don't know why anyone would want to hurt him."

Dry cleaner Ngorn Tang saw Mr Robinson hours before he was killed.

"He came … to pick up his garments," he said. "He's a very good man who liked to joke. He was joking all the time."

Mr Robinson is survived by his wife, Helen, and sons Nick, Tom and Hugh.

Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.