A MAN acquitted of murdering his lover has told police where he buried the body after he was given immunity from prosecution.

In sensational developments, detectives and forensic crews have spent two days in the Royal National Park south of Sydney after electrician ­Michael Atkins finally broke his nine-year silence.

It is understood Mr Atkins, 53, who was caught on CCTV buying a mattock and duct tape on the day his 20-year-old lover Matt Leveson disappeared has identified one or more burial sites in rugged bushland. Last night Matt’s body had not been found.

media_camera Matthew Leveson was last seen in 2007. Picture: supplied

It was a “one in a million” breakthrough Matt’s parents Mark and Faye Leveson wanted when they backed a rare decision by Deputy State Coroner Elaine Truscott to grant Mr Atkins a certificate under section 61 of the Coroners Act 2009, which means that any evidence he gives cannot be used against him in any other proceedings.

Mr and Mrs Leveson had said they just wanted to find their son’s body and take him home for a proper burial.

media_camera Police have this morning brought in a digger as the search continues for Leveson’s body. Picture: John Grainger

media_camera The digger is brought in this morning. Picture: John Grainger

Mr Atkins, who was acquitted in 2009 of Matt’s murder or manslaughter, had objected to giving evidence to the resumed inquest into Matt’s disappearance on the grounds that he may incriminate himself, but lost an appeal to the Supreme Court.

SEPTEMBER 23, 2007 Matthew Leveson was last seen leaving ARQ nightclub at Surry Hills about 2am SEPTEMBER 25, 2007 Matthew Leveson, aged 20, reported missing by concerned relatives after he failed to arrive at work and could not be contacted. SEPTEMBER 27, 2007 Matthew Leveson's car found by police at Waratah Oval in Sutherland. OCTOBER 2009 Michael Atkins acquitted by a jury of Mr Leveson's murder and manslaughter FEBRUARY 2012 A $100,000 reward was announced for information leading to the discovery of Matthew Leveson's body. TODAY: Police have launched a search in the Royal National Park, south of Sydney, in connection with an ongoing investigation into missing man Matthew Leveson.

He had not given evidence at his trial.

As the inquest was adjourned yesterday following Mr Atkins information, Mr and Mrs Leveson said the police had asked them not to say anything.

The evidence to the inquest was that Matt had not been seen since he left Sydney’s Arq nightclub with Mr Atkins in the early hours of Sunday, September 23, 2007.

Mr Atkins told the inquest he thought Matt had gone to Thailand to start a new life — although his passport was found in rubbish at their flat.

media_camera Mark and Faye Leveson stand amid the police tape in the Royal National Park yesterday. Picture: AAP media_camera The parents of Matthew Leveson, Mark and Faye Leveson, arrive at the site where it is believed their son is buried. Picture: AAP

media_camera The Leveson family arrive at the Coroners court in Glebe. Picture Renee Nowytarger

His car was found dumped at Waratah Oval near Sutherland on Thursday, September 27, with the receipt for the mattock and duct tape in the boot and Mr Atkins’ fingerprint on it.

Matt’s parents are too familiar with the national park.

They believe that is where he was buried and regularly visit with their own mattock to try and find him.

“We think like a killer. How would I dispose of a body? How would I hide my car?” Mr Leveson told the inquest.

“We just look as much as we can and the chance of us finding Matt is probably one in a million, but not zero, so we’ll keep looking.”

media_camera CCTV footage of Michael Atkins leaving the cash register at the Bunnings Store at Taren Point.

Mr Atkins was not at the inquest yesterday.

It is understood police used his admission last week he had lied in court as a lever so he could tell them the truth or be prosecuted for perjury.

Mr Atkins, who now lives in Brisbane, had initially told the inquest he had told police the truth in a videotaped record of interview after Matt disappeared.

Then on Friday he admitted he had lied to investigators and had also lied on oath to the inquest.

Police yesterday said a crime scene had been established in the national park as they conducted an extensive search of the area.

media_camera Police have launched a search in the Royal National Park in Sydney’s Sutherland shire.

Forced to break his silence on death

Analysis

IN the witness box at Glebe Coroner’s Court on February 18 this year Michael Atkins swore to tell the truth.

He was asked: “Where is Matt’s body?”

As Matt Leveson’s parents, brothers and friends watched in court, Mr Atkins objected to answering that and any further questions on the grounds he might incriminate himself.

It was an answer that Deputy State Coroner Elaine Truscott expected and she had the solution: give Mr Atkins immunity if he told the truth, so the evidence he gives cannot be used against him if he tells the truth.

The power of the coroner to grant a certificate of immunity under section 61 of the Coroners Act was introduced because, as the Supreme Court has said, it “acknowledges the prospect there will be cases in which a higher value will be placed on determining the manner and cause of a person’s death than on the prosecution of any criminal offence”.

Coroner Truscott determined it was in the interest of justice. Mr Atkins objected and mounted a challenge but the Supreme Court ruled his right to silence is not as important as finding out what happened to his young lover.