Review into violent paedophile Douglas Brian Jackway’s release after more offences committed

One of Australia’s most violent and dangerous paedophiles, who once threatened to cut the throat of a nine-year-old boy after he raped him, has gone on to commit further offences just one month after he was released from prison by a Supreme Court judge.

One of Australia’s most violent and dangerous paedophiles went on to commit further offences just one month after he was released from prison by a Supreme Court judge.

Douglas Brian Jackway, who was previously a prime suspect in the murder of Daniel Morcombe, was released from jail onto a 15-year supervision order in December, despite psychiatrists warning he displayed “prominent psychopathic traits”.

Jackway, who once threatened to cut the throat of a nine-year-old boy after he was caught in the act of raping him, has spent nearly all his adult life in prison.

He was released to live at the Wacol precinct that houses sex offenders and was subject to dozens of release conditions including that he be under a 24-hour curfew, wear a GPS tracker, submit to drug testing and not have contact with children under 16.

But just a month after his release, Jackway contravened the order by helping an unauthorised visitor to the precinct to inject herself with methamphetamines.

Brian Douglas Jackway

Last week Jackway faced the Richlands Magistrates Court where he pleaded guilty to two counts of contravening the court order and was convicted and fined $1500.

His offending has now sparked a review of his release order by the Supreme Court which will consider whether he is eligible to continue on the order or if he will remain behind bars.

Jackway’s case was mentioned in the Brisbane Supreme Court on Thursday morning.

Jackway, who was represented by Legal Aid, was not in court.

A legal officer for the Attorney General asked for a hearing to be set down for November when it’s expected a number of psychiatrists will be called to give evidence about Jackway’s suitability for a continued release order.

Jackway’s release sparked widespread outrage from people including Daniel’s father Bruce Morcombe who said he was shocked someone with Jackway’s history could be deemed suitable for release.

“He is definitely the worst of the worst,” Mr Morcombe said at the time.

“He is not a groomer of young people – he’s not a paedophile that grooms kids – he is one of the most violent paedophiles in Australia.”

Prison sources also slammed the decision to release Jackway in December with one officer saying he was “the worst I’ve seen in my career”.

“He’s just a predator,” the officer said at the time.

“You have your paedophiles – but he is a violent paedophile.”

“It makes him so dangerous.”