Alleged Bicycle Bandit Kym Allen Parsons released on bail after ‘best chocolate sponge cake ever’

Apparently it wasn’t all bad behind bars for the man accused of being one of Adelaide’s most notorious criminals.

The terminally ill alleged Bicycle Bandit has won bail after a court heard he has lost 7kg since his arrest, despite enjoying “the best chocolate sponge cake he had ever eaten” while behind bars.

On Monday, the Supreme Court refused to overturn Kym Allen Parsons’ home detention bail, granted by the Adelaide Magistrates Court last week, despite the fears of SA Police and 32 alleged victims.

Kym Allen Parsons. Picture: Nine News

CCTV footage of the Bicycle Bandit.

In her decision, Justice Anne Bampton said she acknowledged those fears, as well as the strength of the case against Mr Parsons – built on two DNA matches and a unique rifle found in his home.

However, she said his terminal illness, highly-specific treatment regimen and short life expectancy made his case different from the norm.

“Other than the health issues of Mr Parsons, this is not a matter where I would dismiss the prosecution’s application (to overturn bail),” she said.

Ammunition and six unregistered riffles, including a SKK 7.62 rifle, allegedly seized by police from Mr Parsons’ home.

Prosecutors have alleged Mr Parsons, 73, of O’Sullivan Beach, was the Bicycle Bandit who robbed 11 banks between May 2004 and September 2014, stealing more than $250,000.

He was granted bail despite police alleging his home armoury, possession of masks and robbery plans, and $277,000 worth of silver bullion showed he remained a threat.

Mr Parson’s counsel, however, argue he has terminal stage 4 cancer and just months to live, and should spend his final days with his family rather than in custody for an expedited trial.

On Monday, prosecutor Darren Evans said told the court the majority of 4000 rounds of ammunition seized by police from Mr Parsons’ home, were for a firearm matching the one used in the robberies.

He said the “robbery plans” possessed by Mr Parsons – a former SA Police officer and MFS firefighter – were actually “a manifesto”.

“It shows a very strong interest in firearms, vengeance and revenge, and states ‘stepping outside the law may be necessary’,” he said.

“That speaks to the very high risk he poses to the community … this is a person with a commitment to crime.”

The terminally ill alleged Bicycle Bandit – Kym Allen Parsons – leaves the Adelaide Remand Centre on Monday evening after winning his bid for bail.

He said Mr Parsons had been recorded telling his wife the Adelaide Remand Centre had “the best chocolate sponge cake he had ever eaten”.

That, he said, called into question claims his wellbeing was at risk in custody.

David Edwardson KC, for Mr Parsons, said that submission ignored the medical evidence.

He said his client had lost 7kg since his arrest – 1kg “since I saw him in custody last week”.

“To deny this man bail is to effectively condemn him to death without him ever having a trial, and without him having the opportunity to defend these allegations – which he intends to do,” he said.

“But the reality is, the likelihood of him ever having a trial is remote if not completely unlikely due to his terminal cancer.”

He argued “dignity and humanity” required Mr Parsons be on home detention, where his medication could be administered as required rather than on prison timetables.

Justice Bampton said she was persuaded, despite the strength of the prosecution case, to allow Mr Parsons’ bail to go ahead.

She ordered he be released under strict home detention conditions and be permitted to leave his residence for medical treatment only – not for any other reason.

Mr Parsons will be released from the Adelaide Remand Centre once his wife had signed guarantor papers with the court.