South Australia’s Director of Public Prosecutions Adam Kimber to appeal release of child molester Colin Charles Humphrys into Bowden-Brompton area

THE state’s top prosecutor will challenge the decision to release of one of the state’s worst serial sex predators into the Bowden-Brompton community.

• Sean Fewster: Analysis of Colin Charles Humphrys’ release
• Colin Charles Humphrys: Serial predator freed to Bowden-Brompton
• Mark Trevor Marshall: “Risky” pervert’s bid for freedom rejected
• Gavin Shaun Schuster: Court intervenes to stop paedophile’s release
• The law: Read the legislation that governs the freedom of predators
• The decision: Judge explains why Humphrys will be released

THE state’s top prosecutor will challenge the decision to release of one of SA’s worst serial sex predators into the Bowden-Brompton community.

On Friday, Director of Public Prosecutions Adam Kimber SC issued a press release signalling his intention to appeal against Colin Charles Humphry’s release on licence.

The challenge — filed five days before the court’s deadline for appeals — effectively puts Humphrys’ release, scheduled for May 14, on hold.

The two-time child kidnapper will remain in custody pending the ultimate decision on his fate, which will now be made by the Full Court of the Supreme Court.

Humphrys’ criminal history spans five states and three decades, and he is infamous for the 1990-91 kidnapping of a boy known only as XX.

He served an eight-year term for taking the boy, 9, to Kings Cross in Sydney and abusing him after being introduced to him by fellow paedophile Laurie O’Shea.

It was the second time he had kidnapped a young boy and took him interstate — the first incident occurred in Queensland in 1985.

In 2009, Humphrys was jailed for 10 years for abuse against another boy, 14, that began 30 minutes after they first met and continued for the next three years.

Then-Justice John Sulan refused to set a non-parole period, deeming Humphrys an “opportunistic, calculated” and uncontrollable sexual predator.

State law, however, permits offenders to seek supervised release if mental health experts deem them willing to or capable of controlling their sexual instincts.

Humphrys has been seeking release since May 2014 and, last month, Supreme Court Justice Trish Kelly ordered he be granted a licence to return to the community.

She noted mental health experts had warned Humphrys remained a risk to the public, but had also said he had never been given an opportunity to attempt to comply with supervision.

She noted release was opposed by prosecutors and the Parole Board, and that the Department for Correctional Services had concerns about the resources needed to monitor Humphrys.

However, Justice Kelly concluded she was satisfied supervision and monitoring could address his potential risk to the community.

Her decision sparked community ire — including a petition by Bowden Brompton residents and calls from Federal and State MPs for the new Marshall Goverment to intervene.

Attorney-General Vickie Chapman said legislative reform could be pursued if the DPP chose not to file an appeal.

In his statement on Friday, Mr Kimber confirmed he would seek to intervene.

“Since the grant of Mr Humphrys’ application to be released from detention, I have given careful consideration to the judgment,” he said.

“Today, I filed a notice of appeal.

“I will not be making any further comment.”

The appeal will be heard on a date to be set.

Follow @SeanFewster