Burnt car victim 'witness to pedophile murder'

2-3-2010 Australia:

It has been revealed that a man found dead in a burnt-out car in NSW bushland was a police witness in a pedophile murder trial.

The Illawarra Mercury reports Matthew Digby was serving a sentence for motor vehicle theft in a regional prison in September 1998 when he claimed to have witnessed the murder of a man jailed for child sex offences.

Former high school teacher John Thomas Kennett was reportedly outed as a "rock spider" a month after his incarceration for attacks on 12 boys.

He was bashed by fellow inmate Harry Robinson and later found dead in his cell at Junee Correctional Centre with severe head injuries.

At the 2004 murder trial, Robinson's counsel said Mr Digby was actually an accomplice who had been acting as a lookout during the attack but the allegation was denied and no charges were laid.

Robinson was convicted of murder and sentenced to 22 years in jail.

The allegations emerged as Mr Digby was farewelled in Sydney's south today.

Two detectives mingled with 150 mourners at Woronora Crematorium, where Minister Phillip Grace said Mr Digby "walked to the beat of a different drum".

"Even as a boy he was somewhat of a rascal — as a result of his life and what he became involved in, certainly he knew many ups and downs," he said.

Mr Digby was praised for his love of children and willingness to help others. ..Source.. ninemsn staff