Phillip Lesbirel

My Date with Destiny Phillip Lesbirel

David Hammond was an apprentice motor mechanic who met and fell in love with Jacko; a builders laborer. Jacko was a member of the Communist Party of Australia and in the 60's and early 70's it had been declared an illegal organization. Their flat in Glebe was raided by police on the pretext of stopping a meeting of the Communist Party, but at 5am; it was highly unlikely a meeting would be occurring. Both David and Jacko were arrested and charged with being members of an illegal organisation and 'Buggery' under Section 78 and 79 of the Criminal Code of 1900. Jacko took a plea bargain and pleaded guilty to being a member of an illegal organisation and was sentenced to 2 years in Berrimah Prison and the charges of Bestiality were dropped. David was remanded for 14 months awaiting trial and decided to fight the charges, but on the final day of the trial, deliberately brought in a witness who dammed him to 11 years incarceration with a non parole period of 5 years 6 months; served at Parramatta Goal. David decided to do a degree in law while in prison and whilst at the transfer prison of Long Bay for his external studies, was attacked and severely injured, losing the use of his legs due to paralysis. Destined for a life in a wheel chair, David is not deterred from his ultimate goal; David passes his law degree and is offered a position with a law firm as an articled clerk. After 2 years he is accepted to the Bar and becomes a barrister. His success at defending clients charged with Section 78 and 79 offenses, led him to join the Commission for Unlawful Arrests. His investigations were deep and uncovered a criminal organisation run by the Russian underworld and ultimately by the KGB. He got too close and was targeted for death, but the leaders were convinced by Jacko to allow him to live; but in Russia. This story continues on from Book II and his kidnapping to Russia and how he devised a plan to escape. Book III: Deals with David's imprisonment as an IRA member; and his time in the Republic of Ireland's secret prison. He is tried, sentenced to life and transported to the prison while he was unconscious; the IRA does not need to be present at their trial. McNeal needs information to be able to stop a suspected IRA bombing spree in and around London and decides David can supply this information; in exchange for his life and freedom. David finally agrees; but on his terms.