Rapist-murderer Jonathon Bakewell eligible for parole on Friday, can ‘explore’ medicinal cannabis

A man who raped and murdered a woman while on drugs can “explore” medicinal cannabis upon release – which could be on Friday.

The sister of the woman who was murdered and raped by a “callous” and “manipulative” man said she was “absolutely horrified” to read he should explore medicinal cannabis once released.

Jonathon Peter Bakewell, 60, will be eligible for parole as early as Friday after Chief Justice Chris Kourakis backdated his six-month non-parole period until October 22.

Bakewell was initially sentenced to life without parole for the murder of Anne-Marie Culleton on February 23, 1988, in Darwin, after he broke into her home, raped and killed her before placing her in a scalding shower to obscure the crime.

Law changes and a subsequent High Court challenge led to Bakewell having a 20-year non-parole period set.

He was transferred to South Australia to be close to his dying father and, in 2016, released on parole.

Eileen Culleton, sister of murdered rape victim Anne-Marie Culleton.

Over three years, he breached his parole by testing positive for cannabis.

He eventually had his parole cancelled and was sent back to prison.

Bakewell applied to the Supreme Court in January to set a non-parole period.

After the Supreme Court hearing on Thursday, Anne-Marie’s sister, Eileen Culleton, said she was “absolutely horrified” by the judgment.

Ms Culleton said she was “appalled and alarmed” to read Bakewell had been given the “green light” to explore taking cannabis medicinally – the same drug, combined with alcohol, he had been taking at the time of the rape and murder of her sister.

Jonathon Bakewell being arrested over the murder of Anne-Marie Culleton.

“I accept that Mr Bakewell has medical conditions and symptoms, which are alleviated by his

cannabis use,” Chief Justice Kourakis said in his published judgment.

“That time in custody will hopefully prompt him to explore the prescription of medicinal cannabis.”

Ms Culleton said she would call on the Attorney-General to urgently review the Director of Public Prosecutions’ handling of the case.

“This is a disgrace. I am outraged,” she said. “Women of South Australia deserve a judicial system that protects them and keep them safe from convicted rapist-murderers.”

Police at the home of Anne-Marie Culleton where her body was found two days after she was brutally murdered.

Greg Mead QC, for Bakewell, previously told the court he was using cannabis as unapproved pain relief after developing throat cancer in prison and being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

Executive Director of Drug Free Australia, Jo Baxter said they were also “deeply concerned” with the judgment.

“This is a landmark case which could set a precedent for more violent offenders breaching parole by using cannabis,” she said.

“It defies logic that the indisputable evidence linking cannabis with violence, provided to the

Director of Public Prosecutions was considered ‘not relevant’ in the deliberations and decision to release Bakewell.

“This is a travesty of justice for Anne-Marie’s family.”

In the Supreme Court on Thursday, Chief Justice Kourakis set a six-month non-parole period for Bakewell, backdated to October 22.

“I am confident that Mr Bakewell poses a very low risk of reoffending,” he said in his judgment.