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Daniel Morcombe killer Brett Cowan granted name change

CHILD murderer Brett Cowan is back inside a prison unit with inmates, despite being attacked by one who allegedly tipped boiling water over his head - and he’s been granted a name change.

Morcombes react to Cowan decision

CHILD murderer Brett Cowan is back inside a prison unit with inmates, despite being attacked by one who allegedly tipped boiling water over his head and beat him with the bucket.

The Courier-Mail can also reveal Cowan has been given permission to use his legally changed name, Shaddo N-unyah Hunter, inside jail.

In the past week his name has changed on his prison identification card and within the prison’s Integrated Offender Management System.

In 2014 Cowan was convicted of murdering schoolboy Daniel Morcombe.

Brett Peter Cowan.
Brett Peter Cowan.

“It (the name change) could be to take pressure off him,” a prison source told The Courier-Mail. “I can’t believe the department agreed to change it.”

Cowan was taken to hospital with burns to his head, chest and legs after the incident at Wolston jail in Brisbane in August.

He was in hospital for about a week before returning to jail.

Adam Paul Davidson has been charged with grievous bodily harm in relation to the incident.

Cowan is understood to have changed his name in Western Australia, years after he had become a suspect in the schoolboy’s disappearance in 2003.

He told undercover detectives Shaddo was his dog’s name, while “N-unyah” stood for “none of your business”.

A Queensland Corrective Services spokesman said he was unable to discuss individual prisoners.

“Prisoners born outside of Queensland who have previously changed their name in another state are legally entitled to be addressed under their new identity,” he said.

Originally published as Daniel Morcombe killer Brett Cowan granted name change

Original URL: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/national/daniel-morcombe-killer-breet-cowan-granted-name-change/news-story/5280169ac8db851ad7642dd9fed7af95