Shock arrest of ‘nice’ worker

Mr Perry had been working at the local kitchen design company as a stonemason for the past six months. He was known to colleagues as Lee, who were unaware he was an alleged murderer.

The 45-year-old had been on the run for a decade after he was allegedly involved in the revenge-style murder of self-proclaimed ‘vampire’ gigolo Shane Chartres-Abbott on June 4, 2003.

After his arrest, Mr Perry was extradited to Victoria before appearing in Melbourne Magistrates Court where he was remanded to reappear for a committal mention on August 16.

Former colleagues of Mr Perry expressed their shock and horror to discover they were working alongside the alleged gangland-style murderer.

He had been working at the factory since January after he was referred to the owner ” who wishes to remain anonymous ” by a friend.

‘He was referred to us from a friend of ours who owned a restaurant in Kings Park, where Lee had been working as a chef,’ the owner said.

‘When he was working here he was a hard-working person and he’s very friendly, very helpful.

‘Not just the people who work with us find him nice and hard working, but all the people working around here found him nice.

‘He seemed very quiet ” he didn’t talk about his family or anything.’

Unbeknown to the Morley business owner, Mr Perry had had a $1 million reward over his head since 2009 and was wanted for questioning by Victorian Police.

Mr Chartres-Abbott (28) was with his pregnant girlfriend and her father outside his home in Melbourne when a man assaulted his girlfriend and her father.

Another person shot Mr Chartres-Abbott, who was on trial for the rape and mutilation of a female client and former girlfriend of Mr Perry.

It is believed Mr Perry fled Melbourne in 2007 after police wanted to speak to him in relation to the murder.

Until last week, his whereabouts had been unknown.

The owner said the company was shocked to find out Mr Perry had been on the run from police for the past 10 years.