Wanted child rapist Allan John Hopkins requesting to serve full sentence in NSW

An SA child rapist arrested when a wild police chase ended a two-week, multistate manhunt is pleading to stay in jail in NSW.

A wanted child sex predator who fled SA after serious new allegations is requesting to stay in a NSW prison despite laws granting him automatic parole, The Advertiser understands.

Allan John Hopkins, a 45-year-old convicted child sex offender, was jailed for 18 months in the Moree Local Court in May 2024 after a wild police chase in a stolen ute ended a national two-week manhunt.

He was sentenced on the spot after pleading guilty to driving offences, the police pursuit and stealing during a break and enter.

His seven-month non-parole period expired on December 12, 2024 – under New South Wales law he would be automatically paroled due to his sentence being fewer than three years.

Allan Hopkins, 45, is wanted by SA Police for serious alleged sexual offending involving a child under the age of 18 years. Picture: SAPOL

The Advertiser understands Hopkins – who is also wanted for alleged crimes in Victoria and Queensland – has elected to serve out his full sentence inside the NSW prison where he’s being held.

It is understood he will need to plead his case to the NSW parole board in early 2025 to stay in jail.

If permitted, Hopkins’ sentence will not expire until November 2025, meaning SA Police will need to wait until then to arrest Hopkins or apply for an extradition order.

Hopkins fled SA in May 2024 after SA Police alleged he committed serious sexual offences against a child in earlier that month, sparking a two-week manhunt through Victoria, Queensland and New South Wales.

Following his sentence in May, Police Commissioner Grant Stevens said the wheels were already in motion to extradite Hopkins and get him back to face his fresh charges as soon as legally possible.

Hopkins was on the run for two weeks prior to his location and arrest in NSW. Picture: SAPOL

Hopkins was seen leaving South Australia in a Mazda BT-50 grey ute. Picture: SAPOL

“We will be preparing a brief of evidence on the understanding that the earliest release date for Hopkins is in December this year, so we will be ready to initiate extradition proceedings once we know that he is able to be extradited,” he said last year.

“Some people have voiced concerns that that might delay justice for (alleged) victims of his offences here in South Australia.

“I can only assure people that in the ordinary course of events he would be remanded in custody while we prepare that brief of evidence anyway and the time frame might be very similar to what we will have to wait for that extradition process.”

He has previously been convicted of child sex offences after he pleaded guilty in 2010 to the rape of a 10-year-old girl after breaking into her Paralowie home in 2007.

He was sentenced 10 and a half years in jail, with a non-parole period of seven years.

South Australia Police declined to comment, directing inquiries to NSW Police.