The legal system in Perth is currently managing several serious cases involving loss of life and physical harm. These cases involve a wide range of people, including a medical professional, a person linked to a political figure, and parents. These events have brought a lot of attention to how the law handles responsibility when someone dies or is hurt. Families are waiting for answers, while the courts must decide if the accused individuals should remain in custody or be allowed to wait for their trials at home. The cases show the difficult task of looking at evidence from car crashes, physical fights, and the care of children.
Timeline and Key People
The following events show the progress of different legal matters in Western Australia from early 2025 into early 2026:
February 2025: Rhys Bellinge, a doctor, is accused of being involved in a car crash that killed Elizabeth Pearce in Dalkeith.
May 2025: The court adds four new charges against Rhys Bellinge for a different incident that happened six days before the fatal crash.
December 2025: Legal reviews highlight the sentencing of two parents from Floreat who were found guilty of starving their daughter.
February 2026: A man named Dewar is charged with manslaughter regarding the death of Tim Picton, a former Labor strategist.
Summary of Charges and Evidence
The evidence in these cases includes police interviews, witness reports from schools, and driving records.
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| Individual(s) | Primary Charge | Key Evidence/Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Dewar | Manslaughter | Alleged fatal attack on Tim Picton; separate incident on Dec 25. |
| Rhys Bellinge | Manslaughter | Car crash resulting in death; four additional charges filed later. |
| Floreat Parents | Child Neglect/Starvation | Child's physical state and lying to teachers about the child's age. |
| Briana Faye Thorne | Manslaughter | Death of partner Merlin Smith. |
The courts are balancing the need for public safety with the legal right of the accused to apply for bail.
The Case of Tim Picton
The death of Tim Picton has led to a manslaughter charge against a man named Dewar.
During a recent court appearance, Dewar's lawyer, Simon Watters, asked the court to hear an application for bail.
Magistrate White decided that the court would not hear the bail request immediately, moving it to a later date.
Watters mentioned that Dewar might appeal to a higher court regarding a charge from late December.
Does the mention of a "separate incident" on December 25 suggest a pattern of behavior, or is it an unrelated legal matter that should not affect the current manslaughter case?
Medical Professional Under Review
The case of Rhys Bellinge involves a high level of professional and public interest.
Bellinge, a Perth doctor, was originally charged following the death of Elizabeth Pearce.
In May 2025, the court added more charges. These new charges are linked to events that happened on February 9, just before the fatal crash on February 15.
This case focuses on road safety and the actions of the driver leading up to the accident.
Is there a link between the doctor’s behavior on February 9 and the events that caused the death of the young woman six days later?
Parental Care and Sentencing
The sentencing of two parents from Floreat was a major legal event in 2025.
The court found that the parents had starved their daughter.
Evidence showed the parents lied to the girl’s ballet teachers about how old she was to hide her physical condition.
This case was noted for the level of dishonesty used to avoid notice from authorities.
Expert Analysis
According to legal records and statements in court:
"The court will hear the bail application next Friday," stated Magistrate White, indicating a refusal to be rushed into a decision regarding Dewar's release.
Lawyer Simon Watters argued that the legal matters his client faces are separate:
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He argues that the December incident should be viewed on its own.
He is pushing for the Supreme Court to look at earlier charges, which could change how the current case moves forward.
Legal experts observe that when additional charges are added to a manslaughter case, as seen with Rhys Bellinge, it often suggests that investigators have found a wider timeline of events that they believe are important for the court to see.
Findings and Next Steps
The legal process for these individuals is in different stages. Some have already been sentenced, while others are still waiting for their day in court.
Bail Decisions: The court will decide soon if Dewar can be released before his trial. This depends on whether the judge sees him as a risk to the community.
Additional Charges: For Rhys Bellinge, the court must now look at the new charges from the week before the crash to see how they impact the manslaughter case.
Appeals: There is a possibility of higher courts getting involved if lawyers feel the lower courts made a mistake regarding bail or evidence.
The results of these cases will likely impact how similar road safety and physical assault cases are handled in Western Australia in the future.
Sources Used
9 News (Feb 6, 2026): Covers the manslaughter charge against Dewar and the bail application arguments.
https://www.9news.com.au/national/manslaughter-charge-for-labor-figure-tim-picton-s-alleged-killer-perth-court-western-australia-news/6c270a96-46d0-42b9-a941-e282aed50c20
WA Today (Dec 31, 2025): Summarizes major court stories of 2025, including the Floreat parents and various road deaths.
https://www.watoday.com.au/national/western-australia/murder-manslaughter-and-mayhem-the-court-stories-that-shook-wa-in-2025-20251231-p5nqyx.html
Head Topics (May 19, 2025): Details the additional charges filed against Rhys Bellinge regarding the death of Elizabeth Pearce.
https://au.headtopics.com/news/perth-obstetrician-accused-of-manslaughter-of-elizabeth-69300224
