Details

The WA State Government is offering rewards up to $150,000 in a bid to solve the 2009 murder of Mandurah pensioner Robert Dalliston, described by seasoned homicide detectives as one of the most violent crimes seen in WA.

Major crime squad detectives have revealed they have been investigating a group of young people in Mandurah and Pinjarra who were implicated in a string of arson attacks, including one on Mr Dalliston's Ward Street home weeks before his murder.

Mr Dalliston was last seen alive about 6pm on January 8, 2009, when he caught a taxi from the Silver Sands Tavern to his home. A concerned workmate found the 69-year-old dead inside his home on January 15.

Detectives believe Mr Dalliston was murdered while he slept. They say the workmate was traumatised by what he found when he went to check on Mr Dalliston.

Mr Dalliston was facing charges of indecent dealing and sexual penetration of girls under the age of 13 when he was murdered.

Those charges were laid in March 2008 and detectives fear people with information about the murder may be reluctant to come forward because of those allegations.

"Any alleged actions of the victim do not justify taking the life of another human," Det-Sgt Anthony Thompson said.

Police have investigated whether the murder was a vigilante attack and raided the home of the parents of one of Mr Dalliston's alleged victims early in the inquiry, codenamed Operation Merino.

Mr Dalliston's family fear the murder has contributed to one of his brothers' poor health.

Through police they said a resolution to the case might improve the brother's quality of life.

The WA State Government is offering $100,000 for information regarding Mr Dalliston's murder and $50,000 for information regarding the arson attacks in the Peel area about the time of Mr Dalliston's murder.

Mr Dalliston volunteered at a bike shop in East Perth and performed odd jobs. He lived a solitary life but socialised at the Mandurah Bowling Club and the Grosvenor Hotel.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Reward information