Urgent briefing ordered after revelations the alleged child sex attacker was on parole

Corrective Services Minister David Elliot has called for an “urgent” briefing after revelations the man who allegedly sexually attacked a seven-year-old girl at a Sydney dance hall on Thursday night had been released early from prison on parole.

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Corrective Services Minister David Elliott has called for an “urgent” briefing after revelations the man who allegedly sexually attacked a seven-year-old girl at a Sydney dance hall on Thursday night was only in the community because he had been released early from prison on parole.

The Daily Telegraph can today reveal 54-year-old Anthony Sampieri was on parole for what a judge called a “terrifying” sexual assault of a 60-year-old woman when he was arrested over last week’s Kogarah attack. The state opposition is now calling for a system-wide review of parole. And the local MP is demanding answers too.

Minister for Corrections and Veterans Affairs David Elliott has ordered an urgent review. Picture: Nathan Edwards

Mr Elliott ordered the briefing yesterday afternoon after being informed by The Daily Telegraph.

“I am deeply troubled by the events under investigation at the Kogarah dance studio,” he said.

“This offender was on parole and was subject to a number of strict conditions. As community safety is paramount, I have asked for an urgent brief on all the circumstances which led to the offender being granted parole.”

In 2013, the Wollongong District Court heard that Sampieri lured a 60-year-old woman to his home in October 2012 under the pretence of selling her two second hand tables.

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A police officer cradles the girl’s head as she is carried out of the dance studio under a sheet to protect her identity. Picture: TVN

Sampieri produced a 25cm knife before sexually assaulting the woman multiple times.

The court heard police found duct tape, a role of wire, cable ties and nylon rope in the bedroom.

The Illawarra Mercury also reported that pornographic DVDs and magazines were found, as well as newspaper clippings featuring pictures of women and phone numbers.

Judge Paul Conlon said the attack was a “terrifying and degrading experience”.

Sampieri has yet to be charged over Thursday’s incident.

A Corrective Services NSW spokeswoman confirmed Sampieri’s bail was revoked on the night of the attack “following an alleged breach of conditions”.

Police and a by-stander help the man who was stabbed when he went to the rescue of the girl. Picture: TVN

Sampieri was eligible for parole consideration on October 21 in 2016 however was not released until September last year. His maximum sentence expires on October 21 next year.

It’s understood Sampieri was subject to “standard” parole conditions but did not have GPS ankle tracker.

Police will claim Sampieri was found naked and sexually assaulting the young girl in the male toilets of St George Dance Studio about 7.55pm.

It’s understood the child was in the bathroom up to 30 minutes with the naked man before her rescue by heroic bystanders who came to her aid after her mother realised she was missing.

Nicola “Nick” Gilio was stabbed by the alleged attacker when he found the pair in the bathroom before dentist and former boxer Jeffrey Stack punched the assailant in the head.

Nicola “Nick” Gilio, stabbed by the alleged attacker, is taken to a waiting ambulance. Picture: TVN

Mr Gilio was watching his daughter in dance class when the victim’s mother noticed her child was missing.

He went into the male toilets and found the assault unfolding and was stabbed in a fight with the girls’ attacker.

Shadow police minister Guy Zangari called for a system-wide review of parole.

“There clearly needs to be a review. Who’s to say it can’t happen again?” he said.

“The government needs to explain how this alleged offender was being monitored. The community expects the government to be monitoring someone on parole to the best of their ability.”

Kogarah MP Chris Minns said the community was “very shook up”.

He told The Daily Telegraph they wanted answers.

“They better have some good answers … about why this guy was on parole,” he said.