NSW Police have divided crime experts for arresting a Bali Nine member just weeks after his return home, with one arguing he’s been ‘punished enough’.
Matthew Norman has been charged over an alleged car theft that happened almost 20 years 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 served nearly 20 years behind bars in Bali, were released and flown home.
Former homicide detective Charlie Bezzina told Daily Mail Australia had a responsibility to arrest Norman over the alleged car theft.
‘Serious offences have no time limits,’ Mr Bezzina said.
‘Just because he’s been locked up for 20 years, doesn’t mean they’re going to ignore any previous (alleged) crimes that have been committed.
‘I’d be critical of NSW Police if they didn’t act. Kudos to NSW Police.’
Matthew Norman (pictured earlier this month) has been charged over an alleged car theft that happened almost 20 years ago, before his failed drug smuggling mission to Indonesia
Criminal psychologist Dr Tim Watson-Munro told Daily Mail Australia that Norman had been through enough already
But criminal psychologist Dr Tim Watson-Munro told Daily Mail Australia that Norman had been through enough already.
‘My personal view is it is a bit rich, this bloke’s been punished enough,’ Dr Watson-Munro said.
‘I guess they’re just following the letter of the law. If there was a finding of guilt you would hope he would just be discharged – I think that would be a fair and reasonable outcome.’
Norman was 18 at the time of the alleged theft, and is now 38. He served almost 20 years’ jail in Bali for trafficking heroin.
Dr Watson-Munro said after Norman’s ordeal, ‘the last thing a person would need is re-exposure to the criminal justice system here’.
‘I think it would be cruel and unusual punishment to send him back to jail at this stage. This guy clearly has gone through the ringer.
‘In general principles you would assume he has matured and he’s looking to have a new life in Australia.
‘You would hope he would be discharged, without undermining the authority of the court.’
His new charge comes after he made a secret pilgrimage to his mother’s graveside.
Norman has been charged over an alleged car theft that happened almost 20 years ago, before his failed drug smuggling mission to Indonesia
Norman has been living at the $4million home of a Christian family in Torquay, on the Great Ocean Road south of Melbourne, since his release and attending a local church
Norman’s mother Robyn never got to see her son walk free from jail before she died in January 2024 while he was still serving almost 20 years for trafficking heroin.
But after his sudden release from Bali’s notorious Kerobokan Prison last month, one of the first things Norman, 38, did on his return to Australia was to visit her grave.
He has been living at a $4million home in Torquay, on the Great Ocean Road south of Melbourne, since his release and attending a local church.
The property is owned by Christian couple Ann and Alan Wilkins, who offered it to Norman after forming a close relationship with him while he was in prison.
Norman’s Indonesian wife Anita, who has joined him as he rebuilds his life in his home country, says he is gradually settling back into life as a free man.
‘Thank you for all of our lovely friends that keep praying for this miracle,’ she posted on Facebook.
‘Rejoice, happiness. Visited his mum’s grave and his dad and his pop and sisters, uncles and nephews.’
NSW Police allege Norman and Bali Nine counterpart Renae Lawrence stole a white Ford Laser hatchback from Gosford in March 2005.
The pair allegedly went on a joyride that ended when police stopped them with road spikes.
Norman faced court for the alleged offence back 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 out of Bali.
Matthew Norman, the youngest member of the Bali Nine, being only 18-years-old when he was arrested. He is pictured being escorted to his sentencing trial in Bali in 2006
Former homicide detective Charlie Bezzina told Daily Mail Australia that NSW Police had a responsibility to act
The sentence was reduced to life in prison in 2008.
His sudden release from Bali’s notorious Kerobokan Prison last month came when Prime Minister Anthony Albanese secured a deal with the Indonesian government.
Lawrence was initially sentenced to life imprisonment for her role in attempting to smuggle heroin out of Bali. However, her sentence was later reduced to 20 years following an appeal.
She then received numerous reductions for ‘good behaviour’ before being released in November 2018 and flying back to Australia.
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