Electric Bass. Perhaps I could be very sympathetic to your plea if I have more details or mitigating evidence.
The Mercury search indicates:
The Mercury , 08-12-2003 , Ed: 1 - , Pg: 004 , 359 words ,
STEVE Ongel is no angel. But he did his crimes and he did the time and, upon release from jail, tried to start a new life with his wife and two daughters. Tomorrow night he will be handcuffed, sedated if necessary and forcibly deported from Australi...
I am unable to access what appears to be an editorial?
On the basis of the information you provided, the issue to me is "(he)....has lived in Australia since the age of 18 months..." and "...he is not natrualised...".
You mention this is "...his country...". I disagree. It seems he had that opportunity, but chose not to exercise his right. I feel deeply sorry for his wife and children if they are Australian citizens.
Perhaps he should have given greater consideration to both his citizenship and his actions, before he committed the crime in a country which was not his own?
Woomera
Last edited by Woomera; 8th Dec 2003 at 14:08.