An investigation could be launched after photos of former North Melbourne coach Dean Laidley wearing a wig and makeup during a police interview were leaked online.

The 53-year-old has been remanded in custody on one count of stalking after he was arrested in St Kilda on Sunday night.

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He remains behind bars after not applying for bail with further charges to be revealed at a court hearing on May 11.

“Police arrested a 53-year-old man on Saturday 2 May in relation to an incident outside (an) address in St Kilda about 9pm,” Victoria Police said in a statement on Sunday.

“He was charged with stalking and other matters.

“The Moonee Ponds man was held over to appear before Melbourne Magistrates’ Court today, Sunday 3 May.

“He was remanded to appear at the same court on 11 May.

Laidley’s lawyer, Dee Giannopolous, blasted the release of the images, which also included a police profile shot, on Twitter.

They appeared to have been taken from inside the police interview room where, according to the West Australia, Laidley demanded to be called ‘Daniella’.

“Outraged that pictures of my client, taken by some police officer, on the sly, when in custody in interview have hit the media. Typical,” Giannopolous tweeted.

Lawyer Bill Doogue added: “Disgraceful. Taking photos unlawfully and sharing them. And these were sneaky photos while in Police interview in Police Station by a Police Officer.”

“Police should investigate and those involved pull down immediately.”

Victoria’s leading civil liberties advocate also slammed the leaked images.

“The images circulating of a high-profile arrest today are deplorable breach of privacy,” Liberty Victoria tweeted.

Disgraceful. Taking photos unlawfully and sharing them. And these were sneaky photos while in Police interview in Police Station by a Police Officer. FFS. https://t.co/XL57NIjDrg

— Bill Doogue (@billdoogue) May 3, 2020

“The transphobic overtones only serve to make the breach even more egregious.

“Not good enough @VictoriaPolice: we are watching,” the council wrote.

“Please deal with this unacceptable incident swiftly & properly. “

The father of three’s former manager, Ricky Nixon, tweeted: “Guess who’s the least surprised person in Aust. on Dean Laidley — if only the media knew what I knew”.

He later added that Laidley had confided in him regularly during the 15 years he managed him.

Laidley played 151 games for West Coast and North Melbourne, then coaching the Kangaroos for six and a half seasons. He won the 1996 premiership as a player.

AFL bad boy Jake King claims police harassment as he’s questioned at his tattoo parlour during raids connected to the shooting death of a fruiterer on a Melbourne highway

• Former AFL player Jake King is ‘sick of’ getting caught up in bikie gang drama
• His tattoo parlour was raided in coordinated raids connected to shooting death
• His lawyer said King is ‘sick of it’ and is ‘being borderline harassed’ by police 

By Brittany Chain and Wayne Flower For Daily Mail Australlia

Published: 17:50 EST, 22 January 2020 | Updated: 18:59 EST, 22 January 2020

Advertisement

Fruiterer Paul Virgona, 46, died en route to work when his van was peppered with bullets on the city’s EastLink Freeway at Donvale last November 9.

Josh Rider, a 29-year-old Port Melbourne man, and 35-year-old Aaron Ong from Kilsyth were this morning charged by Victoria Police with his murder following dawn raids on 12 properties across the city.

The men did not apply for bail when they faced Melbourne Magistrates’ Court today.

They were remanded in custody. to appear via video link for a committal mention on May 27.

A Montrose man, 30, is today being interviewed by detectives from the anti-bikie Echo Taskforce in relation to firearm and drug matters. No further arrests are expected.

Six firearms – a mixture of longarms and handguns – and a boat have also been seized. The weapons will be examined to determine whether the alleged murder weapon is among them.

“We’ve been at pains to point out that the victim has no criminal association and no association with the Mongols,” Crime Command Assistant Commissioner Tess Walsh told reporters today.

She said the murder charges are “of the highest order” and police allege the two men were responsible for the fatal shooting.

When asked if Mr Virgona’s death was a case of mistaken identity, Ms Walsh said she “wouldn’t want to speculate” as the two accused had only just been interviewed.

“We work so hard to get to resolution for these jobs, there’s just no way we want to jeopardise that by compromising the criminal justice process,” she said.

At a press conference earlier this month – where Mr Virgona’s teenage son, Luca, spoke beside his mother, Antonietta – investigators said they were unable to establish a motive for the brutal killing.

“The tragic events that have occurred have removed an innocent and well-respected man from this earth,” Luca Virgona said.

“My greatest role model in life is now gone and we are left to pick up the pieces of our broken family.”

Mongols clubhouses in Ferntree Gully and Port Melbourne were raided as well as a South Melbourne tattoo parlour co-owned by former Richmond Football Club player Jake King, who was seen speaking to police.

Ms Walsh said the parlour was raided “because of the association with the Mongols” but nobody was arrested at that location.

Police said Mr Virgona’s killers waited for him to leave his home in Croydon and followed him in a Mercedes-Benz sedan, which was later found torched in Mooroolbark.

The duo are thought to have switched to a getaway car, a Volkswagen Amarok utility, before dumping it and running into a park.

Police released images of a distinctive Nike top, believed to have been dropped by one of the suspects.

Searches of the properties will be ongoing throughout Wednesday.

Ms Walsh said the operation was the result of months of hard work by multiple police units.

“We understand that any time there is an incident involving illicit firearms, particularly one that results in someone being killed in this way, there is enormous concern in the community,” she said.

“Today’s activities should send a strong message, especially to those involved in this type of criminal activity, that it’s absolutely not acceptable and Victoria Police is committed to tracking down and targeting those people willing to commit these offences.”

WHERE WERE TODAY’S RAIDS?

• Croydon

• Ferntree Gully (clubhouse)

• Kilsyth

• Lilydale

• Montrose

• Noble Park

• Port Melbourne (clubhouse)

• Port Melbourne (commercial)

• Southbank

• South Melbourne (commercial)

• Tecoma

• Wantirna South

– with AAP

Former North Melbourne premiership player Shannon Grant is facing assault and criminal damage charges.

The 40-year-old has been accused of 18 offences relating to an alleged incident in the Melbourne suburb of Highett in December last year.

The 1999 Norm Smith Medallist yesterday resigned as coach of amateur team St Kevin’s citing personal reasons.

He has been bailed to appear at Moorabbin Magistrates’ Court on February 21.

Grant played 301 games for North Melbourne and the Sydney Swans before retiring in 2008.

© Nine Digital Pty Ltd 2018

Victoria Police are investigating a player from the Melbourne football club over an alleged sexual assault that occurred in Bali in September. 

A Melbourne woman made the complaint to police. 

The Demons confirmed to The Age that they were aware the police had received a report of the alleged incident, however no charges have been laid.

Melbourne informed the AFL’s integrity unit of the allegation as soon as they became aware of it, as part of the AFL’s new respect and responsibility complaints process that was introduced in October.

In this case the issue was considered serious enough to be immediately referred to Victoria Police.  

The AFL referred the matter to Victoria Police.

Melbourne were tight-lipped about the details of the incident but provided a statement to Fairfax Media in relation to the allegation. 

“The Melbourne Football Club is aware of allegations involved with the player and the club has referred the matter to the AFL Integrity Unit,” the statement said. 

“The Melbourne Football Club will fully co-operate with the process and while this is undertaken the club will make no further comment in response to the matter.” 

The accused player has not been named but Melbourne informed staff on Thursday that an investigation was taking place. 

Police confirmed that they received a report in October about an alleged sexual offence in Bali and had spoken to the complainant as a result.

In a statement, police said the complainant had not so far made a formal statement.

“On October 2 Victoria Police received a report about an alleged sexual offence that occurred in Bali in September this year,” the statement said.

“Police have spoken to the complainant however the complainant has not engaged investigators further… 

“The complainant was also advised that primacy of the investigation would sit with Indonesian authorities. “

“Victoria Police’s priority is the victim’s safety and welfare,” police said. “They are always in control of what happens next.

“The reality is that some victims come to us to have their story heard but they may not want to go through the process of the court case.

“We want victims to receive the assistance they deserve, whether that be from us or support services.”

An AFL spokesperson said that “out of respect to all parties involved, the AFL won’t be making any comment.”  

The AFL Players’ Association, which was aware of the allegation and working with relevant parties to ensure the correct process was followed, released a short statement. 

“We are aware of the allegation and have made our services available to the player. It’s important the correct process is followed, therefore we won’t be making any further comment at this point.”

Melbourne have begun their Christmas break and had their final training session for the season on Wednesday.