Keith Pickering was just 19 and a young cop when he was on point duty outside Flinders Street Station in January 1974. He heard a vendor yell out and saw a man crouching with a bloodied carving knife.

The mentally disturbed man, James Belsey, had just fatally cut the throat of Constable Norm Curson on the steps of the station. Pickering and another young cop Trevor Pollock followed him into the Young and Jacksons Hotel and although unarmed, managed to arrest him and take him to the nearby police station.

Their bravery has never been recognised. 

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If you or anyone you know needs support, call Lifeline 13 11 14, Mensline 1300 789 978, or the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service on 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).

Keith Pickering was just 19 and a young cop when he was on point duty outside Flinders Street Station in January 1974. He heard a vendor yell out and saw a man crouching with a bloodied carving knife.
The mentally disturbed man, James Belsey, had just fatally cut the throat of Constable Norm Curson on the steps of the station. Pickering and another young cop Trevor Pollock followed him into the Young and Jacksons Hotel and although unarmed, managed to arrest him and take him to the nearby police station.
Their bravery has never been recognised. 
Click on the links to subscribe <a href="https://subscribe.theage.com.au/" data-stringify-link="https://subscribe.theage.com.au/" data-sk="tooltip_parent">https://subscribe.theage.com.au</a> or <a href="https://subscribe.smh.com.au/" data-stringify-link="https://subscribe.smh.com.au/" data-sk="tooltip_parent">https://subscribe.smh.com.au</a>
If you or anyone you know needs support, call Lifeline 13 11 14, Mensline 1300 789 978, or the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service on <a href="https://www.1800respect.org.au/">1800RESPECT</a> (1800 737 732).

Take a journey into the dark depths of the Australian criminal underworld with Australia’s most formidable crime reporter - John Silvester.

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