Fil-Aussie killed in racial attack

CRONULLA, Australia – A 67-year-old Filipino-Australian was beaten to death by an Australian in Sydney’s Sutherland Shire in what appeared to be a racial attack.

Builder James Anthony Dean-Willcocks has been charged for the murder of Magno Alvarado.

The suspect was reportedly returning from his 23rd birthday party in the Sydney central business district when he mauled the Filipino Australian.

Police confirmed witness reports that the suspect spat racial insults about the Japanese while attacking Alvarado. They said the suspect mistook Alvarado for a Japanese national.

According to the online report of The Daily Telegraph, Dean-Willcocks reportedly yelled, “F--k off back to Japan.”

When told to stop attacking Alvarado, he reportedly said: “Mate, he is Japanese and he deserves it.”

Slammed on the footpath, shaken and punched as many as 10 times, Alvarado sustained serious head injuries before he died at St. George Hospital last Saturday.

During his interrogation, police said Dean-Willcocks claimed to have no recollection of events.

The court has refused him bail until Jan. 28, 2010.

Meantime, police investigation into the incident continues.

Community assistance

According to a statement tendered by the police, it was in the early hours of Saturday when Alvarado was taking his early morning walk route. It was then that he got involved in the altercation.

As a resident of Cronulla in Sydney's South, the route was usually a pleasant beachside stroll. Unfortunately, this time it was different.

Police and emergency services were called to the scene along Elouera Road at 5:45 a.m. They now appeal for further community assistance.

“Anyone at all who may have seen or heard anything, or know anything, regardless of how trivial it may seem to you, if you would please come forward and assist police, in particular we are looking for a man who was walking on Elouera Road who was wearing a suit,” said Superintendent Jenny Hayes of the Cronulla Local Area Command.

“That is all we know of him, and we believe he may be of significance in assisting police into this inquiry,” he added.

Hayes appealed to anyone who has any information to contact Miranda Detectives at 9541 3199 or ring crime stoppers at 1800 333 000.