Neighbours of “brutally” murdered Mandurah man Robert George Dalliston say someone in the community must have vital information that could nail his killer.
On October 14, the reward for information that could help solve the 2009 murder increased to $250,000.
Mr Dalliston was 69 years old when he was found dead in his Ward Street home on January 15, 2009.
Police had described his murder as “brutal, cowardly and callous”.
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At the time of his death, Mr Dalliston was facing charges of indecent dealing and sexual penetration of girls under the age of 13 and was due to appear in court the following day.
Jeffrey Phillips, who lived across the street from Mr Dalliston, said “he died before he had the chance to prove himself”.
“I think he was killed because they thought he was a paedophile,” he said.
To me, he died an innocent man, because he hadn’t been proven guilty – you’re supposed to be innocent until proven guilty.
- Jeffrey Phillips
“I asked police at the time, and they said the murder was pretty brutal.
“To me, he died an innocent man, because he hadn’t been proven guilty – you’re supposed to be innocent until proven guilty.”
Mr Phillips said somebody in the community knew who murdered Mr Dalliston or would have more information.
“Somebody does know, but if they think he was a paedophile they’ll say boo,” he said.
Somebody does know, but if they think he was a paedophile they’ll say boo.
- Jeffrey Phillips
Mr Phillips said Mr Dalliston had visited for a beer the day before he was murdered.
“We had a couple of beers,” he said.
“He was friendly, and we used to chit-chat all the time. He wasn’t a bad guy, I mean we had three granddaughters and two grandsons running around here and he never once wavered, to be quite honest.”
Jeffrey’s wife Raelene Phillips said he was a “quiet, nice man” who “never spoke to the kids”.
“I thought paeodophiles were sweet to kids and groomed them,” she said.
“He was a friendly neighbour and there was nothing odd about him.”
Ms Phillips said Mr Dalliston’s house had been set on fire on two occasions before his murder.
“He had been targeted for some reason before,” she said.
Perth man Ernest James Mitchell was charged with Mr Dalliston’s murder in 2014, but his charges were dropped earlier this year.
A WA Police spokeswoman said the matter remained an open investigation and urged anyone with information to come forward.
“It is on the public record that a person was charged over Mr Dalliston’s death,” she said.
“That charge was withdrawn during a court appearance on Friday, July 27, after consultation with prosecutors and based upon updated legal advice regarding the prospect of conviction.
“This matter will remain an open investigation and anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.”
