Supreme Court grants overnight release to killer Jason Bowen, who shot Peter Hurst in the head

A shattered family have spoken out after a court granted the man who shot their father overnight release into the community.

Shooting victim Peter Hurst’s son, Darren Hurst, and daughter Sharee Trenerry, speak outside the Supreme Court after their father’s killer, Jason Bowen, was granted overnight release. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dean Martin

The family of a shooting victim are devastated after a court ruled their father’s killer be allowed to stay overnight in the community.

Former soldier Jason Bowen, 52, shot Mr Hurst in the back of the head at Evanston Park in November 2000 with a rifle the victim had advertised for sale, before spending five days on the run.

He was eventually arrested at Eden Hills, having hidden in abandoned farmhouses, and was declared mentally unfit to have committed murder because he was suffering from a psychotic thought disorder.

Jason Bowen.

Grandfather Peter Hurst was shot dead in November 2000 by former soldier Jason Bowen. Photos supplied by family.

Bowen began a staged program to reintegrate him into the community and has been allowed unsupervised day release from forensic mental health facility Ashton House over the past three years, but on Thursday the Supreme Court granted an application to allow overnight release.

He will initially be allowed to spend one night per week in the community, building up to an extra night each month until he spends five nights in the community each week by Christmas.

The Hurst family, who previously had fought and won a lengthy battle to change laws that had exempted them from being recognised as victims of crime because Bowen was not convicted of murder, are devastated.

Outside court Mr Hurst’s daughter, Sharee Trenerry, said her family was concerned about the increased time Bowen would spend in the community without having to return to Ashton House where he has been securely monitored overnight.

“By the time he could be away for five nights, he could be anywhere,” she said.

She said the court “didn’t take any of our requests into play”, including their pleas for an overnight curfew.

Peter Hurst with grandchildren, Riley (left) and Dylan (right). Peter Hurst was shot dead in November 2000 by former soldier Jason Bowen. Photos supplied by family.

Grandfather Peter Hurst. Photos supplied by family.

Jason Bowen. Picture: supplied.

“By the age of 30, he’d actually shot three people, one of them being my dad. He’s a recidivist criminal, we really don’t want him back out on the streets.”

A decade ago, the court had ruled Bowen may still pose a danger to the community because prior to killing Mr Hurst, he had earlier shot two other men in separate incidents.

Ms Trenerry said the family felt they were on tenterhooks and were also concerned for the NDIS workers who care for Bowen while he’s in the community.

“They could be uni students. As far as we are aware they have no training as to what will be required if something does go wrong,” he said.

Ms Trenerry said she had twice previously personally crossed paths with Bowen in the community, which, while nothing had occurred, had affected her greatly.

“It was horrific … I didn’t react very well at all.”

Darren Hurst said Bowen had never apologised for killing his father.

“I guess I just want to ask … would you like this guy living next door to you? I certainly wouldn’t.”