Gangland troubles

Carl Williams’ family at centre of recent violence, writes Billy Adams

It’s more than five years since Melbourne drugs kingpin Carl Williams, whose life of crime inspired the original Underbelly TV series, was bludgeoned to death in prison. But a string of attacks, including the gunning down of a policeman, have prompted speculation that the city’s notorious gangland underbelly is once again rumbling to the surface and that Williams is the common link.

No one’s pointing the finger at Carl Williams. After all, Australia’s most cocksure criminal was bludgeoned to death with the stem of an exercise bike seat more than five years ago.

But two firebombings, a drive- by shooting and the gunning down of a policeman have prompted speculation that Williams is the common link, and left people wondering if Melbourne’s notorious gangland underbelly is once again rumbling to the surface.

The chubby suburban dad cut an unlikely key figure in the longrunning war between major crime families that played out in full public view for years. More than 30 underworld identities lost their lives in a series of tit- for- tat killings triggered by the shooting of Williams in a park in 1999.

The circumstances of the attempt on his life he didn’t survive — inside a maximum security prison — have brought the former drugs kingpin and his family back into the public spotlight in recent months.

Williams’ widow, Roberta, and his father, George, had launched a lawsuit over the death, and their lawyers intended to call police and prison officers to give evidence at a civil trial scheduled to begin next week.

Before the 39- year- old was killed by a fellow inmate in 2010, he had agreed to co- operate with detectives over unsolved murders — including the execution- style killing of police informer Terence Hodson and his wife.

The Williams family’s legal team had signalled their intention to explore the “contract” Williams agreed with authorities, the dangers he faced as a result and why prison officers took almost 30 minutes to discover the murder — despite the fact it had been captured on CCTV.

A subsequent investigation by Victoria’s Ombudsman found Barwon Prison staff failed in their duty of care to the high- profile inmate, who was serving a minimum 35- year sentence for ordering the murders of rivals.

But this week Williams’ widow and father dropped their claims for compensation after authorities agreed to a payout for the couple’s 14- year- old daughter, Dhakota. Like her mother, she was found to have suffered severe mental “impairment” due to the death, and will reportedly receive up to A$ 200,000 ($ 226,770) when she turns 18.

The announcement of the deal followed a violent period for the Williams’ clan.

Earlier this month petrol bombs were thrown at a property in the north Melbourne suburb of Essendon. Police believe Roberta’s home was the target, but the of- fenders got the wrong house. Two days later the nearby home of George — once an active partner in the Williams’ drugtrafficking business — was the target of a latenight drive- by shooting.

Minutes after that a police car was fired on by a man inside what detectives believe was the same vehicle.

One of the officers was hit in the head by shotgun pellets.