Murdering rapist Jonathan Bakewell begs for freedom as family of victim launches 53-page plea to keep him locked away
This killer says he is dying of cancer and should be freed. But his victim’s sister has witnesses who saw him performing heavy labour – and bragging about evading drug testing.
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Murderous rapist Jonathan Bakewell has bragged about evading drug tests and been seen performing manual labour despite his claims of incapacitation by tonsil cancer, his victim’s sister says.
In a 53-page submission to the Parole Board, Eileen Culleton urges Bakewell’s latest plea for freedom – scheduled for October 15 – be rejected.
She outlines accounts from eyewitnesses, who came forward after she went public in the Sunday Mail, showing Bakewell remains strong and healthy enough to kill again.
Ms Culleton told The Advertiser that Bakewell needed to be stopped and the Parole Board’s handling of his case investigated by the State Government.
“Based on this new information, I am even more convinced of the danger Bakewell poses to the community and the need for his parole to be cancelled,” she said.
“He’s not laying on his death bed … he is a 58-year-old man, and men in their 70s rape and murder children.
“I have called for the government to investigate, but Police and Correctional Services Minister Corey Wingard refuses to act.
“What will it take? Bakewell raping and murdering another woman? It should not be up to the victim’s family to fight to keep the community safe.”
In February 1988, while affected by cannabis, Bakewell – now 57 – raped and murdered Anne-Marie Culleton, 20, in her NT flat.
He was jailed for life but, in 2005, transferred to SA’s prison system to be close to his dying father.
Bakewell’s four previous attempts at parole have all failed, with some seeing him jailed again for using cannabis.
The board, however, says he “does not present a threat” to the community, pointing to his “tonsillar carcinoma, multiple sclerosis, hypothyroidism and issues with cholesterol”.
On Monday, Eileen Culleton said that was “absurd”.
“Members of the public who contacted me told me he does not appear physically incapacitated at all and was seen lifting wooden pallets,” she said.
“Others say he has made admissions of evading drug testing and denying responsibility for the murder … I am appalled the Parole Board is not listening to the public.”
Mr Wingard said the decision was “a matter for the Board”, stressing it was “an independent statutory body”.
“When I received Ms Culleton’s letter in early September, my office contacted the Board which confirmed her submission will be taken into consideration,” he said.
“I am also meeting with the Commissioner for Victims Rights to discuss both this specific case and how the government can continue to support victims of life sentenced prisoners.”
