SA court urged not to release serial sex offender Gavin Shaun Schuster to Anglicare facility near playgrounds in Kilburn

ONE of the state’s worst serial paedophiles wants to be released to live near two kids’ playgrounds — despite telling a fellow prisoner he intends to offend again.

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ONE of the state’s worst serial paedophiles wants to be released to a facility near two children’s playgrounds — despite telling a fellow prisoner he intends to offend again.

Gavin Shaun Schuster has committed sex crimes since the age of 12 and spent 16 years in jail for befriending children, then abusing them when he feels “frustrated” with daily life.

Though dubbed an uncontrollable sex predator, the Supreme Court is considering Schuster’s request to be released on licence and live in Anglicare accommodation at Kilburn.

The housing is near two children’s playgrounds.

On Monday, prosecutors urged the court to reject the bid, saying even real-time GPS monitoring was insufficient to control Schuster.

They said he could easily reoffend in the 30 minutes it would take SA Police to respond to an alarm — but Justice John Sulan said that was part of the “balancing act”.

“There always going to be a risk to the community unless you put the facility in the desert ... nothing is perfect in this world,” he said.

“The question is: are there sufficient safeguards that can be put in place so that his rehabilitation can progress, or do we lock him up forever?”

Schuster, 40, has been indefinitely detained since 2000 for crimes against boys and girls, the youngest of whom was six, in public and in their homes.

He was released on licence in 2008, but breached his conditions three months later, and applied again in 2013.

Authorities promised he would “be a virtual prisoner”, subject to strict monitoring, if released but he remained in jail because suitable accommodation could not be found.

On Monday, the court heard Schuster had told a fellow prisoner he intended to reoffend upon release and discussed suburbs in which it would be “easiest” to commit a crime undetected.

Giving evidence, treating psychiatrist Dr Narain Nambiar agreed Schuster had therefore “not been frank” during therapy, when he expressed a willingness to control himself.

“In my opinion, Schuster’s risk has always been and will always be high, but it’s only a problem if he’s not monitored and supervised,” he said.

“There have to be contingency plans if something were to happen, if he were to run away.”

Psychologist Robert Elmer said he would train Anglicare’s staff to be “extremely prepared” for Schuster’s “triggers”, which also included feeling ashamed, humiliated or angry.

He said the facility’s other preparations were adequate “as long as they hold”.

Emma Roper, prosecuting, said that was not good enough.

“This is the best that can be offered at this stage and it’s simply insufficient for the protection of the community given the risk Schuster poses,” she said.

Justice Sulan has reserved his decision.

Prospect mother-of-three Ellen Frost questioned whether releasing Schuster into a community close to schools and childcare facilities was appropriate.

“I’d be concerned that he’s being released into a community of temptation,” she said.

She said her children visit a nearby playground almost every day.

“I’m all for second chances but knowing that a person like this is coming into the community, there would be grave concerns,” she said.

“We want to feel it’s safe for our kids to go to the playground without thinking ‘is this person going to be there’.”

- with Jordanna Schriever

Follow @SeanFewster