Shock update after Aussie doused with petrol
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The man who brutally bashed 18-year-old Sydney woman Lauren Huxley about the head with fibro cutters, doused her in petrol and left her for dead could soon be out on day release.
Lauren's family were notified of the frightening reality this week and are 'absolutely gutted'.
Her sister Simone told news.com.au Robert Black Farmer had dealt her family a life sentence but now he could be getting a chance at a new life.
'He stole beauty from her world. She has had countless operations to put her face back together, 12 hour operation after 12 hour operation. She had a five per cent chance of survival, they didn't even know how she lived, let alone learn to walk and talk and eat again,' Simone said of her little sister who is now 38.
Lauren Huxley, right with her sister Simone after one of her facial reconstructive surgeries.
Lauren and Simone Huxley cherrish every moment together. Picture: Supplied
Simone says her sister Laufren Huxley never complains, never says 'why me?'. Picture: Supplied
'She spent seven months in hospital. She was 18 years old, she had a future to look forward to and he stole it. He got a minimum term of 20 years for that, a maximum of 24. We have got a life sentence.'
In June 2008, Farmer — who has never admitted to his crime — was sentenced to a non-parole period of 20 years with a maximum of 24 years for the unprovoked attack on Lauren, a stranger, after a jury found him guilty.
In handing the sentence down, Justice Peter Hall referred to the 39-year-old's lack of remorse and said there was no doubt he tried to kill Ms Huxley.
Farmer had a long criminal history, including stealing thousands of litres of petrol just one month before the attack and had also been convicted of armed robbery with wounding.
This week the Huxley family received word from the parole authority that Farmer, who is now a minimum security inmate, may soon qualify for day release even though he still has four and a half years of his minimum sentence to serve.
Christine, Pat and Simone relieved after a judge locked him Lauren's attacker for at least 20 years.
Lauren Huxley spent seven months in hospital and underwent numerous surgeries. She defied the odds.
Police image of Robert Black Farmer who has never admitted to the brutal attack on Lauren Huxley that left her with brain damage and other life-long injuries.
For Simone and her parents Christine and Pat, who try to shield Lauren from reliving the nightmare, the news was gut wrenching.
'I have been feeling sick since the phone call, there've been a lot of tears, and now we are angry,' Simone said.
'This person was on bail and parole when he committed one of the most horrendous crimes our country has seen.
'He has never shown any remorse for what he did to an innocent 18 year old whom he had never laid eyes on before that dreadful day. She had her whole life ahead of her and he stole it; the emotional, psychological and physical toll of his actions is something we continue to live with everyday.
Lauren Huxley, sister Simone and mum Christine . Picture: Supplied
It's been a long road to revovery but Lauren Huxley has always remained positive and grateful she is still alive.
'That pain does not lessen with time, and is compounded by the knowledge that he may soon walk freely among us, even if only for part of the day.
'We strongly believe the safety, healing and dignity of victims and their families need to be prioritised, especially when the perpetrator has shown no signs of accountability for their actions. This career criminal has repeatedly been freed to commit more crimes and devastate lives. He doesn't deserve it.
'Changes need to be mde to the laws. People on bail and parole when they attack innocent people like Lauren don't deserve leniency or the lesser end of their sentece. They should serve their full term.'
Simone says she believes other Australians 'who saw what happened to Lauren when the case was so highly publicised' would feel the same.
Lauren, who can now drive a car, has a job and is a 'doting aunty' is 'so positive and so grateful to be alive' despite the challenges she faces every day.
'She never once has said 'why me?' and we are completely grateful to have her here with us,' Simone said.
'She is a miracle in every sense of the world. She just deserves some peace now.'
Originally published as Shock update after Aussie doused with petrol
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