Bali Nine member’s fresh arrest has sparked a major debate between crime experts
NSW Police have divided crime experts over the arrest of a Bali Nine member just weeks after returning home, with one claiming he has been ‘punished enough’.
Matthew Norman has been charged over an alleged car theft that occurred nearly two decades ago, before his failed drug smuggling mission to Indonesia.
He was put back behind bars in Sydney on Monday when police refused him bail. Later that day, Magistrate Stephen Barlow granted his release.
The arrest came weeks after Norman and four other Bali Nine members, who had spent nearly two decades in prison in Bali, were released and flown home.
Former homicide detective Charlie Bezzina told Daily Mail Australia he had the responsibility to arrest Norman over the alleged car theft.
“Serious violations have no time limit,” Bezzina said.
“The fact that he has been incarcerated for 20 years does not mean that they will ignore any previous (alleged) crimes that may have been committed.
“I would be critical of the NSW Police if they did not act. Kudos to the NSW Police.”
Matthew Norman has been charged over an alleged car theft that occurred nearly two decades ago, before his failed drug smuggling mission to Indonesia
Criminal psychologist Dr Tim Watson-Munro told Daily Mail Australia Norman had been through enough
But criminal psychologist Dr Tim Watson-Munro told Daily Mail Australia Norman had been through enough.
“My personal opinion is it’s a bit rich, this guy has been punished enough,” Dr Watson-Munro said.
‘I think they’re just following the letter of the law. If there were any guilt, you would hope that he would simply be fired. I think that would be a fair and reasonable outcome.”
Norman was 18 years old at the time of the alleged theft and is now 38. He served almost 20 years in prison in Bali for trafficking heroin.
Dr. Watson-Munro said after Norman’s ordeal: “The last thing anyone needs is a re-exposure to the criminal justice system here.”
‘I think it would be cruel and unusual punishment to send him back to prison at this stage. This guy clearly made it through the ringer.
“Generally you would assume he has matured and is looking for a new life in Australia.
“You would hope that he would be dismissed without undermining the authority of the court.”
His new assignment comes after he makes a secret pilgrimage to his mother’s grave.
Norman has been charged over an alleged car theft that occurred nearly two decades ago, before his failed drug smuggling mission to Indonesia
Since his release, Norman has lived in the $4 million home of a Christian family in Torquay, on the Great Ocean Road south of Melbourne, and attends a local church
Norman’s mother Robyn never saw her son released from prison before she died in January 2024 while he was still serving nearly two decades for heroin trafficking.
But after his sudden release from Bali’s infamous Kerobokan prison last month, one of the first things Norman, 38, did on his return to Australia was visit her grave.
Since his release, he has lived in a $4 million house in Torquay, on the Great Ocean Road south of Melbourne, and attends a local church.
The property is owned by Christian couple Ann and Alan Wilkins, who offered it to Norman after developing a close relationship with him while he was in prison.
Norman’s Indonesian wife Anita, who has accompanied him in rebuilding his life in his home country, says he is gradually returning to life as a free man.
“Thank you to all our dear friends who continue to pray for this miracle,” she posted on Facebook.
‘Rejoice, happiness. Visited the grave of his mother and his father and his father and sisters, uncles and cousins.’
NSW Police allege Norman and Bali Nine co-star Renae Lawrence stole a white Ford Laser hatchback from Gosford in March 2005.
The pair are said to have gone on a joyride that ended when police stopped them with road pins.
Norman had to appear in court for the alleged crime in 2005, but was released on bail and left the country for his drug smuggling trip to Indonesia.
He was sentenced to death in 2006 after he was caught trying to smuggle more than 8kg of heroin from Bali.
Norman, the youngest member of the Bali Nine, was only 18 years old when he was arrested. In the photo he is accompanied to his criminal case in Bali in 2006
Former homicide detective Charlie Bezzina told Daily Mail Australia that NSW Police had a responsibility to act
In 2008, the sentence was reduced to life in prison.
His sudden release from Bali’s infamous Kerobokan prison last month came as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese struck a deal with the Indonesian government.
Lawrence was initially sentenced to life imprisonment for her role in an attempt to smuggle heroin out of Bali. However, her sentence was later reduced to 20 years after an appeal.
She was subsequently given numerous reductions for ‘good behaviour’ before being released and flown back to Australia in November 2018.