No body, no parole laws: One of Timothy Pullen’s killers walks free

A QUEENSLAND couple “deceived” by the Corrective Services Minister over “no body, no parole” laws have watched one of their son’s killers walk free.

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A MACKAY couple is appalled a man convicted of killing their son has been released from prison on parole, while they remain without a body to bury.

Benjamin Francis Graeme Oakley was today released from a Rockhampton prison, where he was serving an eight-year sentence for his part in the bikie-related death of Tim Pullen in 2012.

Oakley was convicted of manslaughter in 2016 and sentenced after already having served 447 days in custody prior to that.

Gary and Leanne Pullen are devastated Benjamin Francis Graeme Oakley, one of the men convicted of killing their son Tim Pullen in 2012, has been released from prison on parole.

Five other people — Zane Tray Lincoln, Nicholas Voorwinden, Kiera Jeanette McKay, Luke Shayne Kister and Stephen Dale Renwick — were also jailed for their involvement in Mr Pullen’s death after years of court proceedings.

Corrective Service Minister Mark Ryan had said earlier this year he was “comforted” the Parole Board would conduct a review of Oakley’s case.

Despite that, Oakley is free.

The original decision to release Oakley came just days before Queensland’s “no body, no parole” legislation passed Queensland Parliament, and Mr Ryan was accused of deceiving the Pullens that the laws would apply to their son’s killers.

The Pullens said today they were devastated, and felt the likelihood of finding their son’s remains was fading away.

They also hit out at the State Government for raising their hopes that Oakley would be kept behind bars.

The Pullens fear their son Timothy’s remains will never be found.

“We really shouldn’t be here today. None of this should ever have happened,” Mrs Pullen said.

“For as long as we live, we’ll never be able to understand why the Parole Board, on July 31, released Kister from prison and granted Oakley parole — especially when he’s only eligible for parole now.

“It just seems so inconceivable that took place just 10 days prior to the ‘no body, no parole’ Bill that was set before the House.

“The more prisoners that are let out of jail, that means the less likelihood we have of ever finding Tim.

“And as for the ALP’s, you know, ‘we’ll put people first’ — well our family certainly haven’t been put first.

“Our family are so appalled by it, we’re saddened and we’re totally disheartened.”