Andre Barlow’s bid to bring her jailed fraudster son home

Andre Barlow quietly prays every day for the release of the jailed son she has not seen in almost 10 years and, while she condemns his crime, she vows to do everything she can to secure his parole.

ANDRE Barlow quietly prays every day for the release of the jailed son she has not seen in almost 10 years.

In her humble bungalow in the town of Thames, on New Zealand’s North Island, there’s a bedroom set up in anticipation of Joseph ­Hohepa Morehu-Barlow’s homecoming.

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“I want to make absolutely clear as a mother of six, I don’t have blinkers on, and I know more than anyone what Joey did was abhorrent – his crime to the State of Queensland is a disgrace,’’ Ms Barlow told The Sunday Mail.

“My sole reason for speaking out now is because I know he’s ready to begin the slow process of resettling back into normal society.’’

Andre Barlow with a card from her jailed son, Joseph Morehu-Barlow. Picture: Tertius Pickard

When her son is eventually released and extradited from Brisbane, it will be back into her care in New Zealand, where he will be required to adhere to the trans-Tasman parole conditions.

Ms Barlow, described by friends as a strong and kind woman who endured half a lifetime of tough times, the tragic suicide of her youngest child – and who just 16 months ago survived a brutal knife attack – is adamant she’s not making excuses for her son.

“I’ve done things in my life I’m not proud of, but I got a second chance. My kids had a rough childhood. It was horrendous stuff,” she said.

Ms Barlow said she had so far met all the requirements the Parole Board of Queensland had requested. She will not comment on her son’s suggestion he is a “political prisoner” after being rejected for parole – she does not want to jeopardise any ­future application.

In 2013 Joseph Morehu-Barlow was sentenced to 14 years in jail.

“I have all the necessary people in place from psychiatrists to community workers. When I look at that photo and read his letters, I see a ­remorseful man who knows he has paid the ultimate price,” she said.  

“I also see how well he has integrated into the system.

“He’s a role model prisoner, and I think the good work he’s doing behind bars he can use that far more effectively outside jail working with our youth, helping them understand right from wrong.”

Inside the house Morehu-Barlow will one day call home, the tidy front room remains empty. His bed is made up for when he walks through the front door, tasting freedom for the first time since his arrest in 2011.

Morehu-Barlow will find out his fate in the coming months, when he’s eligible to reapply for parole – his third attempt. Since her son’s incarceration, much has changed for Ms Barlow – due to circumstances she’s unable to speak about.

She is now the legal guardian for one of her eight grandchildren.

“He asks every day ‘When is Joey coming home?’. He waters the vegetable patch because he wants his uncle to have fresh broccoli after jail, and this week he put the birthday card he made at kindy on his bed.

“I will fly to Brisbane if I have to and sit before that Parole Board and assure them I will do everything it takes to care for my son – just so long as I can bring him home.”