SA judge says she has little confidence in rehabilitation of murderous sex predator Mark Rust
A SENIOR judge has refused to inquire into a jailed, murderous sex predator’s rehabilitation, saying there is little evidence to inspire confidence about his progress.
A SENIOR judge has refused to inquire into a jailed, murderous sex predator’s rehabilitation, saying there is little evidence to inspire confidence about his progress.
Supreme Court Justice Ann Vanstone today declined, for a second time, Mark Errin Rust’s request she order expert reports to assist his application for a non-parole period.
She told lawyer George Mancini that the court would not be paying a psychologist to confirm or deny Rust’s claims he has, after 11 years’ jail, improved his behaviour.
“I take the view that if you want to assert there has been change then you can present the material to the court, not ask the court to get it,” she said.
“There’s nothing before the court at the moment that inspires much confidence (about Rust) ... this cannot come as a surprise to you.”
Rust, 49, of Gilles Plains, is serving two consecutive life sentences for murdering two women, raping a third and sexually assaulting a fourth.
He admitted murdering Maya Jakic in April 1999 after she refused his offer of “a lift and some fun”, and also stalking and murdering Megumi Suzuki in August 2001.
When asked why he had murdered Ms Suzuki, Rust replied: “Because I did.”
Rust, who has a 30-year history of violent and sexually charged offending leading up to the murders, has since asked the court impose a non-parole period on his jail time.
In January, the court heard prison authorities deem Rust to be “aggressive and abusive toward prison officers” — allegations he denies.
Today, Mr Mancini said he did not want to make submissions on those claims and instead wanted the court to order a report about his client’s significant rehabilitation.
“He has completed all available rehabilitation programs including, in particular, a sexual behaviour course,” he said.
“This court would be assisted by a report as to his further risk assessment or prognosis or diagnosis.”
Justice Vanstone said that may be the case, but the court would not be funding such an exercise given the tenor of the evidence provided so far.
She adjourned the hearing until June to allow Rust time to seek legal aid funding to continue his application.