Trinity Bates and Daniel Morcombe's families call for child killers to be blocked from parole
The man convicted of Trinity's 2010 murder, Allyn John Slater, will be eligible to apply for parole at the end of August.
Slater's ability to apply for parole is a "devastating" reminder of what the family has lost.
"This person has destroyed the lives of everyone that knew Trinity," Mr Hanlon said, speaking on behalf of the family.
"He can't be given parole, the risk is too high that it would be done to another family.
Slater was given a life sentence in 2012 for the murder in Bundaberg, 400 kilometres north of Brisbane.
Slater took Trinity from her bedroom while she was sleeping, strangled her, and left her to drown in a stormwater drain in February 2010.
Her body was found the next day.
Slater, a family friend, was aged 19 at the time of the offence and has never given any reason for murdering Trinity.
He was due to become eligible to apply for parole from February this year, but in May was further convicted of making and possessing child exploitation material in jail.
The conviction pushed his parole eligibility until August.
Mr Hanlon and Trinity's parents, Amanda Clarke and Damian Bates, met with Bruce and Denise Morcombe for the first time in Bundaberg today.
The Morcombes' son Daniel was abducted from the Sunshine Coast and murdered in 2003 when he was aged 13.
Mr Morcombe said the child killer should not be let out of jail and is calling on the parole board to declare Slater a restricted prisoner.
A Queensland Corrective Services spokesperson said under Queensland legislation, in the event someone convicted of murdering a child applied for parole, the president of Parole Board Queensland may make a restricted prisoner declaration.
This would prevent them from applying for parole again for up to 10 years.
Mr Morcombe said the law — known as Sian's law in honour of 12-year-old schoolgirl Sian Kingi who was killed in Noosa on the Sunshine Coast in the 1980s — should be automatically implemented.
He said the parole process for convicted killers took a significant toll on families who had lost a child.
"It puts incredible pain and revisits that tragic event over and over and over again, and I think as a society we can do better than that," Mr Morcombe said.
"It's absolutely devastating to think that my child's killer could potentially be walking the streets and I might bump into them at the supermarket or the hardware [store] or wherever."
The Morcombes are circulating an online petition to keep Slater in jail, calling on the community to add their signatures.
At a press conference in July, Premier David Crisafulli said Slater should not be released from prison.
"As an individual and a premier I think about what that would mean to that family, and I can only imagine what the prospect of him being outside does to them.
"I think that individual should never be released from jail. Never would be too soon."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Advertiser
3 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Elderly man charged with murder after woman's stabbing
An elderly man has been charged with the murder of a woman, while another man in his 20s is fighting for life following separate overnight stabbing attacks across two states. Homicide Squad detectives were investigating an attack on an elderly woman who was found fatally injured at a house in Coleraine, about 35km from Hamilton, in Victoria's southwest. Local officers found the 81-year-old woman alive shortly after 1am on Saturday, but she died at the scene. Police arrested and interviewed an 81-year-old Coleraine man who was known to the victim before charging him with murder on Saturday evening. He has been remanded in custody and will face the Warrnambool Magistrates Court on Monday. In a separate incident, two men were also stabbed at a house gathering in Sydney's west overnight, one of them suffering critical wounds. Emergency crews were called to a residential unit in Patricia Street, Mays Hill, in the city's inner west, in the early hours of Saturday following reports a man in his 20s had sustained serious injuries. He was located and treated at the scene by paramedics for an apparent life-threatening knife wound to the torso before being taken to Westmead Hospital. Police said a second man of similar age was found nearby with a wound to his arm. He was also transported to Westmead. It is understood the pair and others at the address were known to each other. The Coleraine incident comes days after an Australia-first knife ban targeting young offenders. Victorian parents were urged on Thursday to hand in their children's machetes and knives at police amnesty posts. A total of 45 stations across the state will host disposal bins set up for the three-month initiative. Carrying one of the deadly, long and broad-bladed knives is outlawed, while a sales ban with some exemptions is already operating. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Lifeline 13 11 14 Men's Referral Service 1300 766 491 An elderly man has been charged with the murder of a woman, while another man in his 20s is fighting for life following separate overnight stabbing attacks across two states. Homicide Squad detectives were investigating an attack on an elderly woman who was found fatally injured at a house in Coleraine, about 35km from Hamilton, in Victoria's southwest. Local officers found the 81-year-old woman alive shortly after 1am on Saturday, but she died at the scene. Police arrested and interviewed an 81-year-old Coleraine man who was known to the victim before charging him with murder on Saturday evening. He has been remanded in custody and will face the Warrnambool Magistrates Court on Monday. In a separate incident, two men were also stabbed at a house gathering in Sydney's west overnight, one of them suffering critical wounds. Emergency crews were called to a residential unit in Patricia Street, Mays Hill, in the city's inner west, in the early hours of Saturday following reports a man in his 20s had sustained serious injuries. He was located and treated at the scene by paramedics for an apparent life-threatening knife wound to the torso before being taken to Westmead Hospital. Police said a second man of similar age was found nearby with a wound to his arm. He was also transported to Westmead. It is understood the pair and others at the address were known to each other. The Coleraine incident comes days after an Australia-first knife ban targeting young offenders. Victorian parents were urged on Thursday to hand in their children's machetes and knives at police amnesty posts. A total of 45 stations across the state will host disposal bins set up for the three-month initiative. Carrying one of the deadly, long and broad-bladed knives is outlawed, while a sales ban with some exemptions is already operating. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Lifeline 13 11 14 Men's Referral Service 1300 766 491 An elderly man has been charged with the murder of a woman, while another man in his 20s is fighting for life following separate overnight stabbing attacks across two states. Homicide Squad detectives were investigating an attack on an elderly woman who was found fatally injured at a house in Coleraine, about 35km from Hamilton, in Victoria's southwest. Local officers found the 81-year-old woman alive shortly after 1am on Saturday, but she died at the scene. Police arrested and interviewed an 81-year-old Coleraine man who was known to the victim before charging him with murder on Saturday evening. He has been remanded in custody and will face the Warrnambool Magistrates Court on Monday. In a separate incident, two men were also stabbed at a house gathering in Sydney's west overnight, one of them suffering critical wounds. Emergency crews were called to a residential unit in Patricia Street, Mays Hill, in the city's inner west, in the early hours of Saturday following reports a man in his 20s had sustained serious injuries. He was located and treated at the scene by paramedics for an apparent life-threatening knife wound to the torso before being taken to Westmead Hospital. Police said a second man of similar age was found nearby with a wound to his arm. He was also transported to Westmead. It is understood the pair and others at the address were known to each other. The Coleraine incident comes days after an Australia-first knife ban targeting young offenders. Victorian parents were urged on Thursday to hand in their children's machetes and knives at police amnesty posts. A total of 45 stations across the state will host disposal bins set up for the three-month initiative. Carrying one of the deadly, long and broad-bladed knives is outlawed, while a sales ban with some exemptions is already operating. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Lifeline 13 11 14 Men's Referral Service 1300 766 491 An elderly man has been charged with the murder of a woman, while another man in his 20s is fighting for life following separate overnight stabbing attacks across two states. Homicide Squad detectives were investigating an attack on an elderly woman who was found fatally injured at a house in Coleraine, about 35km from Hamilton, in Victoria's southwest. Local officers found the 81-year-old woman alive shortly after 1am on Saturday, but she died at the scene. Police arrested and interviewed an 81-year-old Coleraine man who was known to the victim before charging him with murder on Saturday evening. He has been remanded in custody and will face the Warrnambool Magistrates Court on Monday. In a separate incident, two men were also stabbed at a house gathering in Sydney's west overnight, one of them suffering critical wounds. Emergency crews were called to a residential unit in Patricia Street, Mays Hill, in the city's inner west, in the early hours of Saturday following reports a man in his 20s had sustained serious injuries. He was located and treated at the scene by paramedics for an apparent life-threatening knife wound to the torso before being taken to Westmead Hospital. Police said a second man of similar age was found nearby with a wound to his arm. He was also transported to Westmead. It is understood the pair and others at the address were known to each other. The Coleraine incident comes days after an Australia-first knife ban targeting young offenders. Victorian parents were urged on Thursday to hand in their children's machetes and knives at police amnesty posts. A total of 45 stations across the state will host disposal bins set up for the three-month initiative. Carrying one of the deadly, long and broad-bladed knives is outlawed, while a sales ban with some exemptions is already operating. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Lifeline 13 11 14 Men's Referral Service 1300 766 491
News.com.au
8 hours ago
- News.com.au
Vision emerges of sacked NRL reporter's alleged crash
Footage has emerged of former Fox Sports reporter James Hooper's alleged drunken accident in Sydney. The prominent NRL reporter has been sacked by Fox Sports and subsequently stood himself down from his role with Triple M after being charged with high-range drinking offences. FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1. Now Channel 9 has obtained footage of the crash, which took place in Leichhardt on Thursday night and allegedly involved a number of other vehicles and Hooper's ute. Paul Green, who lives right by the accident site, is heard on the footage and told the network what he had witnessed. 'He just tried to get out of there straight away,' Green alleged. 'Put the car in reverse to try to reverse off the car he was collected on and he couldn't get off. 'So he was not really coherent. He headed up the street, unfortunately for him he headed up the wrong way. 'We lost sight of him in the dark but then he turned around and that's when the police caught up to him at the roundabout down the bottom of the hill.' Hooper is alleged to have collided with three parked cars and returned a positive breath test of 0.253, more than five times the legal limit. Hooper was the chief rugby league reporter for Fox Sports, along with roles as a columnist for Fox Sports and a sideline reporter with Triple M. Southern Cross Austereo (SCA), which owns and operates Triple M, confirmed to Hooper has opted to cut ties with the network. 'Triple M acknowledges the decision of James Hooper to stand down from his commitments with the network,' SCA Head of Sports Content Ewan Giles said. 'We thank him for his contribution.' A statement from NSW Police read: 'At 7.30pm on Thursday, police were called to Allen Street, Leichhardt following reports of a crash. 'Officers attached to Leichhardt Highway Patrol attended to find a utility had collided with three parked cars before coming to a stop.' He has been charged with high-range drink-driving and three counts of damaged property and will appear in court on September 15. The decision from Fox Sports was effective immediately, with Hooper's final appearance on NRL 360 occurring on Wednesday night this week. Fox Sports' managing director Steve Crawley confirmed the news in a statement. 'James has been a great contributor since he joined us in 2016, but he's also battled some significant personal issues from time to time,' Crawley said. 'In speaking to him today, James also acknowledges that things need to change for him.' Hooper was approached by The Daily Telegraph for comment, stating: 'I've let the game of rugby league, my employers, my wife and kids down terribly. 'Clearly I'm not handling the tough side of the job. 'Hopefully this is the punch between the eyes that will set me straight.'
The Advertiser
8 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Woman dead, man critical after overnight stabbings
A woman is dead and a man in his 20s is fighting for life following overnight stabbing attacks in separate states. Homicide Squad detectives are investigating after the woman was found fatally injured and a man known to her was taken into custody at a house in Coleraine, about 35km from Hamilton, in Victoria's southwest. Local officers found the woman alive shortly after 1am on Saturday but she died at the scene. Police said the arrested man was known to the victim and was being interviewed by investigators. Two men were also stabbed at a house gathering in Sydney's west overnight, one of them suffering critical wounds. Emergency crews were called to a residential unit in Patricia Street, Mays Hill, in the city's inner west, in the early hours of Saturday following reports a man in his 20s had sustained serious injuries. He was located and treated at the scene by paramedics for an apparent life-threatening knife wound to the torso before being taken to Westmead Hospital. Police said a second man of similar age was found nearby with a wound to his arm. He was also transported to Westmead. It is understood the pair and others at the address were known to each other. The Coleraine incident comes days after an Australia-first ban targeting young offenders. Victorian parents were urged on Thursday to hand in their children's machetes and knives at police amnesty posts. A total of 45 stations across the state will host disposal bins set up for the three-month initiative. Carrying one of the deadly long and broad-bladed knives is outlawed, while a sales ban with some exemptions is already operating. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Lifeline 13 11 14 Men's Referral Service 1300 766 491 A woman is dead and a man in his 20s is fighting for life following overnight stabbing attacks in separate states. Homicide Squad detectives are investigating after the woman was found fatally injured and a man known to her was taken into custody at a house in Coleraine, about 35km from Hamilton, in Victoria's southwest. Local officers found the woman alive shortly after 1am on Saturday but she died at the scene. Police said the arrested man was known to the victim and was being interviewed by investigators. Two men were also stabbed at a house gathering in Sydney's west overnight, one of them suffering critical wounds. Emergency crews were called to a residential unit in Patricia Street, Mays Hill, in the city's inner west, in the early hours of Saturday following reports a man in his 20s had sustained serious injuries. He was located and treated at the scene by paramedics for an apparent life-threatening knife wound to the torso before being taken to Westmead Hospital. Police said a second man of similar age was found nearby with a wound to his arm. He was also transported to Westmead. It is understood the pair and others at the address were known to each other. The Coleraine incident comes days after an Australia-first ban targeting young offenders. Victorian parents were urged on Thursday to hand in their children's machetes and knives at police amnesty posts. A total of 45 stations across the state will host disposal bins set up for the three-month initiative. Carrying one of the deadly long and broad-bladed knives is outlawed, while a sales ban with some exemptions is already operating. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Lifeline 13 11 14 Men's Referral Service 1300 766 491 A woman is dead and a man in his 20s is fighting for life following overnight stabbing attacks in separate states. Homicide Squad detectives are investigating after the woman was found fatally injured and a man known to her was taken into custody at a house in Coleraine, about 35km from Hamilton, in Victoria's southwest. Local officers found the woman alive shortly after 1am on Saturday but she died at the scene. Police said the arrested man was known to the victim and was being interviewed by investigators. Two men were also stabbed at a house gathering in Sydney's west overnight, one of them suffering critical wounds. Emergency crews were called to a residential unit in Patricia Street, Mays Hill, in the city's inner west, in the early hours of Saturday following reports a man in his 20s had sustained serious injuries. He was located and treated at the scene by paramedics for an apparent life-threatening knife wound to the torso before being taken to Westmead Hospital. Police said a second man of similar age was found nearby with a wound to his arm. He was also transported to Westmead. It is understood the pair and others at the address were known to each other. The Coleraine incident comes days after an Australia-first ban targeting young offenders. Victorian parents were urged on Thursday to hand in their children's machetes and knives at police amnesty posts. A total of 45 stations across the state will host disposal bins set up for the three-month initiative. Carrying one of the deadly long and broad-bladed knives is outlawed, while a sales ban with some exemptions is already operating. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Lifeline 13 11 14 Men's Referral Service 1300 766 491 A woman is dead and a man in his 20s is fighting for life following overnight stabbing attacks in separate states. Homicide Squad detectives are investigating after the woman was found fatally injured and a man known to her was taken into custody at a house in Coleraine, about 35km from Hamilton, in Victoria's southwest. Local officers found the woman alive shortly after 1am on Saturday but she died at the scene. Police said the arrested man was known to the victim and was being interviewed by investigators. Two men were also stabbed at a house gathering in Sydney's west overnight, one of them suffering critical wounds. Emergency crews were called to a residential unit in Patricia Street, Mays Hill, in the city's inner west, in the early hours of Saturday following reports a man in his 20s had sustained serious injuries. He was located and treated at the scene by paramedics for an apparent life-threatening knife wound to the torso before being taken to Westmead Hospital. Police said a second man of similar age was found nearby with a wound to his arm. He was also transported to Westmead. It is understood the pair and others at the address were known to each other. The Coleraine incident comes days after an Australia-first ban targeting young offenders. Victorian parents were urged on Thursday to hand in their children's machetes and knives at police amnesty posts. A total of 45 stations across the state will host disposal bins set up for the three-month initiative. Carrying one of the deadly long and broad-bladed knives is outlawed, while a sales ban with some exemptions is already operating. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Lifeline 13 11 14 Men's Referral Service 1300 766 491
