Latest news with #WolstonCorrectionalCentre
ABC News
14 hours ago
- ABC News
Childers Palace Backpackers arsonist Robert Paul Long not being considered for parole
The killer responsible for a deadly hostel fire that claimed the lives of 15 people almost 25 years ago is not being considered for parole because he is considered a "restricted prisoner". Robert Paul Long was sentenced to life in prison with a non-parole period of 20 years for setting fire to the Childers Palace Backpacker Hostel in Queensland on June 23, 2000. There were 88 people inside, mostly young travellers visiting Australia from overseas. Many of them woke to loud cracking sounds and the smell of fire, and frantically crawled through the thick smoke holding onto each other as they escaped. But fifteen people — nine women and six men — were tragically killed. Long, who was 37 at the time, was tracked down days later hiding in bushland, where he attacked a police officer with a knife. The officer drew his firearm and shot at Long, who was injured in the ear before he was finally arrested. Two years later he was convicted of arson, as well as the murders of Australian twins Kelly and Stacey Slarke. Since then he has been confined to the walls of Wolston Correctional Centre, but has made multiple attempts to be freed. Long made an application for parole, but the president of the Queensland Parole Board must decide whether to make a restricted prisoner declaration before he is considered for release. A declaration can vary in length, but could mean he would not be able to apply for parole for up to 10 years. "The parole application is not being considered while the restricted prisoner matter is determined by the president," a statement from Queensland Corrective Services said. A decision on the declaration will be made after victims have been given time to make submissions.
ABC News
15-05-2025
- ABC News
Convicted murderer Allyn John Slater wrote 'sadistic' abuse stories while in prison for killing eight-year-old Trinity Bates
A Queensland man serving a life sentence for the 2010 abduction and murder of a Bundaberg schoolgirl has admitted to writing "sadistic" and "depraved" child abuse stories while behind bars. Warning: This story contains content that readers may find disturbing. Allyn John Slater was convicted in 2012 for killing eight-year-old Trinity Bates. He took the girl from her bedroom while she was sleeping, strangled her, and left her to drown in a stormwater drain in February 2010. Trinity's body was found the next day. Slater, then 22 years old, was handed a life sentence after pleading guilty to her murder. He was due to become eligible to apply for parole from February this year. But on Thursday, the District Court in Brisbane heard corrective services officers searched his cell at the Wolston Correctional Centre in October 2023, finding a notebook under a mattress containing written child exploitation material. Crown prosecutor Michael Gawrych said Slater had penned the material in first person and "established himself as the protagonist". At least 35 pages of the 88-page notebook depicted "sexual and violent abuse of children". "The stories … described the defendant taking and abducting children from their parents," he said. "The novel also depicted murder of someone who attempted to intervene." Describing the material as "graphic", "depraved", and "extreme", Mr Gawrych said the offending was "very serious", particularly considering he was in prison due to his conviction for killing a child. "Possibly it could not get any worse in terms of the offences that are described," he said. The court also heard Slater's notebook contained drawings. Mr Gawrych said when police spoke to Slater about the offence last year, he told them he was unaware it was illegal to create such material. The now 35-year-old pleaded guilty to making and possessing child exploitation material. His defence barrister Terry Morgans submitted his client had made full admissions to police and made an early guilty plea. He said although the characterisation of the writing was graphic, there was no suggestion it had been distributed to others, and did "not involve the victimisation of any child". In sentencing Slater, Judge John Allen KC said his offending was disturbing, "particularly in light of the nature of the murder which led to your imprisonment". "The material demonstrates a continuing perverted interest in sexual violence towards children and raises real concerns as to whether you, in light of your history, continue to present a real risk to children if and when released into the community," he said. He acknowledged Slater created the "sadistic" material for his consumption only. Judge Allen said any sentence he imposed must be concurrent with the life sentence Slater was already serving. He gave Slater a two-year sentence and deferred the date he is eligible to apply for parole to late August 2025.
