Jessica Gaudie killer Derek Sam seeks low security as step towards release
HE MURDERED his children’s babysitter, whose body has never been found. Now he’s pushing to be classified as a low-security prisoner.
Crime & Justice
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CONVICTED killer Derek Sam is fighting to be classified a low-security prisoner to pave the way for parole, 18 years after he murdered Sunshine Coast schoolgirl Jessica Gaudie and hid her body.
Sam has taken the Corrective Services department to the Supreme Court to challenge his high security rating at Lotus Glen Correctional Centre in the state’s far north.
Sam, who is also suspected of two other murders, wants to attend external medical appointments and take compassionate leave of absence without having to wear handcuffs and restraints.
A low security classification would also be a step towards his release on parole, court documents show.
The Prisoners’ Legal Service (PLS) wrote to Corrective Services on Sam’s behalf in April to argue for his classification to be reduced.
“It will improve his chances of parole as it is specifically stated as a consideration to be taken into account in assessing whether to release a prisoner,” solicitor Helen Blaber wrote.
A Corrective Services manager, Roberta Embrey, replied in May that Sam would remain a high security prisoner.
“I placed particular weight on his risk of reoffending and the serious nature of his offence,” Ms Embrey wrote.
“I note that Mr Sam has not engaged in programs to address his risk of re-offending and as such there is no evident (sic) to support that his risk has lowered.”
Sam has asked the Supreme Court to order a review of the decision, with PLS lawyers arguing there is a low risk of him escaping or harming himself or others in prison.
Jessica Gaudie, 16, went missing while babysitting Sam’s three young children at Nambour in August 1999. Sam admitted taking her for a drive but claimed he dropped her off near a party.
A jury convicted him of murder in 2001 and trial judge Richard Chesterman said in sentencing that the motivation was probably sexual gratification.
Sam has never revealed the location of Jessica’s remains. Court documents show he continues to deny involvement in her disappearance and refuses to undertake a sexual offenders’ course because he has no convictions for sexual offences.
Letters from his lawyers to Corrective Services say Sam has bowel cancer that requires him to undergo regular check-ups in hospital and is undergoing chemotherapy treatment.
A low security classification would also provide “an incentive to maintain his good behaviour and work towards obtaining a low-security placement”.
He became eligible for parole on June 4, 2015, the letters show.
New “no body no parole” laws introduced this year will hamper any attempt for release until he reveals the location of Jessica’s remains.
Sam is also suspected of murdering British backpacker Celena Bridge in 1998 and Kenilworth teacher’s aide Sabrina Glassop in 1999. The two women vanished from Booloumba Creek Rd near Kenilworth.
Sam was working at a farm on the road at the time and denies involvement in their disappearance.
The Courier-Mail revealed earlier this year that police were preparing a brief of evidence to take to prosecutors, with a view to charging Sam.
SAM’S LIFE BEHIND BARS
HE’S housed in a residential unit, given extra freedoms and earns $45 a week in the prison tailor shop.
Derek Sam’s life behind bars is detailed for the first time in court documents obtained by The Courier-Mail.
Sam is housed with five other prisoners in Lotus Glen Correctional Centre’s Residential 1B unit, regarded as the last stop before prisoners are moved to a low-security prison.
“He and the other prisoners in this unit are subject to the lowest form of supervision possible for secure prisoners at Lotus Glen,” solicitor Helen Blaber wrote to the Corrective Services department in April.
“By way of illustration, he advised that they were allowed to cook their own food in the unit until their cooking utensils were removed due to hygiene concerns.”
For the last eight years he has been overseer of the tailor shop, supervising other prisoners and allocating work tasks.
“He is required to work with various tools and sharp instruments, including scissors, knives and hammers,” Ms Blaber wrote.
“Mr Sam instructs there is minimal supervision in this environment … correctional officers are accessible to them but are not constantly at hand.”
Sam was “respected, reliable and compliant” and mentored younger prisoners.
“Mr Sam has maintained exceptional institutional behaviour for approximately 17 years.”
Meanwhile his victim’s family do not have a body to bury, and there appears little chance Sam will lead them to Jessica’s remains.
Among the court documents is a 2015 report on Sam’s involvement in a rehabilitation program.
“Prisoner Sam categorically denied the offence, and any sexual motivation for the offence,” the report states.
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