Snowtown serial killing accomplice Mark Haydon just days away from being released

The deadline looms for the release of the Snowtown serial killings accomplice – but the government’s bid to stop him won’t be ready in time.

A key report about the mental health of “bodies in the barrels” accomplice Mark Ray Haydon will not be ready until after his prison sentence has expired in 20 days’ time, a court has heard.

On Wednesday, the state government told the Supreme Court it would seek to have an interim supervision order imposed upon Haydon if its bid for parole-like conditions was not finalised prior to his release.

But lawyers for Haydon, who appeared on video link wearing the same jumper he has worn on day leave from the Adelaide Pre-release Centre, warned an interim order may not be the subject of agreement.

Mark Haydon walks from the Adelaide Pre-Release Centre at Northfield. Picture: 7NEWS

They said the terms proposed by the government were “more onerous than parole”, and may need to be the subject of argument in court.

The Advertiser understands the proposed interim supervision order would place limitations on Haydon’s movement within the community that are more onerous than his current parole conditions.

Those limitations are understood to be similar to the conditions sought, by the government, as part of the extended supervision order.

Whether an interim supervision order would see Haydon remain in the Pre-release Centre and subject to his other current conditions, including supervised day leave and a 6pm to 9am curfew, is unclear.

Mark Ray Haydon on June 30, 2000.

Haydon’s 25-year prison term, for covering up the infamous murder spree, ends on May 21.

In February, he was granted parole in order to facilitate his move from a custodial cell to the Adelaide Pre-release Centre so he could prepare to re-enter society.

Under the terms of his parole, Haydon – who is electronically monitored at all times – can seek day leave from the centre, but must obey a 9pm to 6am curfew.

He is further banned from certain parts of the state, from contacting the victims’ families, and from speaking to the media.

Haydon, right, with Robert Joe Wagner, left, and John Justin Bunting, centre.

Haydon has not been paroled into the community and must continue to reside at the centre until May 21.

Meanwhile, the state government is seeking to have him placed under parole-like extended supervision orders after that date, claiming he still poses a danger to the community.

During a hearing on that application last month, the Supreme Court prohibited the media from employing an artist to sketch Haydon’s current appearance.

Mark Haydon walks from the Adelaide Pre Release Centre at Northfield. Picture: Kelly Barnes

On Wednesday, Solicitor-General Mike Wait SC said records sought by Haydon’s counsel, about his behaviour in custody over the past 25 years, had now been provided.

However, he said the government was still waiting on a report from Dr Narain Nambiar, head of SA Forensic Mental Health.

“That report will not be available until after the expiry of the head sentence, and not until June or July,” he said.

“Given the timing of the report, we have been instructed to seek an interim supervision order.”

He said a draft copy of the proposed interim order had only recently been provided to Haydon’s counsel who were “still taking instructions and considering the matter”.

A masked Mark Haydon. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Kelly Barnes

“It might be that it will be possible for us to agree the terms of an interim order which will effectively bridge us until a hearing about the extended supervision order,” he said.

“If not, we would be seeking a time for argument.”

Sam Abbott KC, for Haydon, said he was “content with that course”.

“We’ve only just received the draft ... its conditions are more onerous than my client’s parole,” he said.

Justice Tim Stanley adjourned the matter for two weeks, when either agreement will be reached or an argument heard about an interim supervision order.