NSW: Man pleads guilty to Callan Park murder

AAP General News (Australia)
04-03-2007
NSW: Man pleads guilty to Callan Park murder

A man's pleaded guilty to murdering an alleged drug dealer "execution-style" .. in
the grounds of a former Sydney psychiatric hospital.

A woman walking her dog in Callan Park .. near the former Rozelle Psychiatric Hospital
.. found the body of ANDREW JOHN HEAVENS in May 2003.

The 31-year-old father had been shot three times in the chest.

26-year-old RYAN BARRY BURNES .. from Callala Beach on the NSW south coast .. has been
charged with Mr HEAVENS' murder in August last year.

Through his lawyer he's pleaded guilty to the charge today .. via an audiovisual link
to the Central Local court.

BURNES has been remanded in custody by Magistrate BRIAN MALONEY .. who's adjourned
the case to the Supreme Court for sentencing.

He'll face a sentencing hearing in the Supreme Court on April 13.







Police have told the court Mr HEAVENS had fallen to the ground after being shot ..

and was then shot twice more .. indicating an execution-style murder.

According to a statement tendered as evidence .. BURNES told police he was responsible
for the shooting .. and was later covertly recorded discussing it while walking through
Callan Park.

The statement alleged BURNES and an associate had planned to murder Mr HEAVENS .. who
was dealing heroin .. over his drug business.

Police believe that when BURNES said he'd be given 40-G later on .. it was a reference
to 40 thousand dollars .. which was to be payment in full for the murder of HEAVENS.

A second man charged over the murder .. who cannot be named .. is still before the courts.

AAP RTV ka/was/nc/tm

KEYWORD: BURNES (SYDNEY)

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