‘They’re after me...’

Recordings made in Tyrrell investigation in court over legality

LISTENING devices captured a person of interest in toddler William Tyrrell’s disappearance telling his dead wife to “make sure you don’t tell anyone ... they’re after me”, a Sydney court has heard.

Kendall widower Paul Savage lived across the road from the NSW home from where the three-year-old went missing in 2014 and was one of several people subject to intense scrutiny by investigators.

One investigator, former detective chief inspector Gary Jubelin, is contesting allegations he went beyond listening device warrants and illegally recorded four conversations with Mr Savage in 2017 and 2018. Mr Jubelin says the recordings were legal.

During the court hearing, Mr Jubelin’s barrister read a transcript sourced from the devices planted in Mr Savage’s home.

It purported Mr Savage to be in conversation with his wife Heather, who died of cancer in April 2015.

“Make sure you don’t tell anyone, love ... they’re after me, love, they’re right after me,” Mr Savage said, Margaret Cunneen SC told Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court yesterday.

Mr Savage, now 75, denies any involvement in the disappearance of William.

In one recording, Mr Jubelin suggested Mr Savage or his wife may have accidentally killed the three-year-old boy.

In another, taken the next day, the widower said he didn’t want to speak with the officer.

“A three-year-old has disappeared and you don’t want to help?” Mr Jubelin said at Mr

Savage’s front door. “I beg your pardon, I’ve helped you every way I can,” Mr Savage replied.

Both then accused each other of being untruthful at times during the investigation.

“You just want to put s--- on me,” Mr Savage said. “You told me to plead guilty.”

Mr Jubelin, who quit the force in 2019, denied ever telling Mr Savage to plead guilty.

The hearing continues.