Mark-Bry Andrew Leedham jailed for 24 years for murder of Michael Purse

The father of a murdered man says one of his son’s killers has been drinking “hot chocolate” in a low-security prison, as a third man is jailed for nearly 30 years.

A thug has been sentenced to nearly 30 years in jail after murdering a “good and valuable” man – while the victim’s family says another of his killers has been drinking hot chocolate in a low-security prison.

However, after inquiries by The Advertiser, the man was quickly moved into medium security while his jail placement was reviewed.

Mark-Bry Andrew Leedham, the third and final man to be sentenced in the Supreme Court over the death of Michael Purse, was silent as he was jailed for life on Thursday.

“There was so much that was good and valuable about Michael Purse, not just to his family, but to the community at large,” Auxiliary Justice Kevin Nicholson said.

“The murder of Michael Purse is not to be categorised within the least category of seriousness for this offence.

“It involved appalling acts of violence and complete disregard for human life – a complete disregard for Michael Purse’s life.”

Leedham was found guilty of murder during a judge-alone trial.

Mr Purse was killed in February 2019 after he was lured to a unit in Kilburn where he was bound, repeatedly struck, stabbed and jumped upon for being unable to pay a drug debt. His body has never been found.

Michael Jeffrey Purse was murdered in February 2019.

During sentencing, Justice Nicholson called a letter Leedham wrote to the court “troubling” because it said he would rather “die in jail with honour” than surrender the “moral high ground” and accept the guilty verdict.

Justice Nicholson sentenced Leedham to life imprisonment with a 24-year non-parole period.

The non-parole period was added to a current non-parole period he is sentencing for unrelated offending – resulting in 28 years and three months backdated to February 2022.

He will be eligible for parole some time in 2050 and an appeal against his conviction will be heard later this year.

Outside court, Jeffery Purse said the family “got the last laugh” – but revealed one of his son’s killers, Edwin James Hinrichsen, had been moved to the low-security Cadell Training Facility.

“It’s disgusting … it defies our sensibilities,” Mr Purse said.

“He will be getting hot chocolate and slippers overnight, that's what type of facility this is.

“This is for low-risk prisoners, and he will be putting those prisoners at risk, and also, the staff there aren’t expecting such a violent prisoner to be there.”

Mr Purse told media he received an “arrogant and hollow” response from the Department of Corrective Services when he requested an explanation.

DCS head David Brown on Thursday quickly moved Hinrichsen back into medium security while his placement was reviewed,

“I have requested a review of this prisoner’s sentence management and placement to ensure the concerns of the victim are given further consideration,” he said.

“Whilst this review is undertaken the prisoner will be moved to a medium-security facility.”

Hinrichsen, who was sentenced to 11 years’ jail alongside David Graham Young in 2023, pleaded guilty to manslaughter for his role in killing Mr Purse.

Cadell is a low-security prison farm in the Riverland.

Corrective Services Minister Emily Bourke declined requests for comment.