Was Biddy’s killer a ‘ticking time bomb’?: Mum hopes inquest finds anwers
The mum of 10-year-old Biddy Porter hopes a newly announced inquest into her daughter’s death will look at the role of the Department of Education, GPs and the killers family to see if signs of danger were there.
NSW
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The mum of 10-year-old Biddy Porter hopes a coronial inquest into her daughter’s death will reveal whether or not her killer was a “ticking time bomb” who could have been stopped.
So brutal was the killing of little Biddy in the winter of 2020 that the details of her injuries have been suppressed for 20 years.
Biddy’s killer was arrested nearby two hours later and was charged with murder, but the court found the act proven but not criminally responsible in 2021.
This week State Corner Teresa O’Sullivan confirmed an inquest would be held, after campaigning from Biddy’s mum and Advocacy Australia.
“I am so thrilled and over the moon about this, and very grateful because I know other parents who have lost children have had to wait for years and years for an inquest,” Rebekah Porter said during an exclusive interview this week with the Saturday Telegraph.
“This case is different to others where we don’t know who the killer is but what we do believe, and hope will come out, is that a lot could have been done to prevent this,” she said.
“We hope it will look at the role of the Department of Education, GPs, the killers family, what signs there were, what people knew and whether they acted accordingly.
“We want the handling of the investigation to look at the role of the DPP. We want to know what lessons can we learn, and what can be done better to prevent another death like Biddy’s.”
The news of the inquest came at a good time for Ms Porter after a horrible few years - On Saturday she will marry the man who has been by her side through the whole ordeal, Maurits Keukenmeester.
“We got together six months before Brigid was killed and he has been utterly amazing and supportive through it all and looked after me,” Ms Porter said.
“I also want to say a huge thank you to Advocacy Australia’s effort and work they have put in pro bono and what they have managed to achieve and the passion and commitment of local MP Phil Donato for his unrelenting passion and commitment to our story.
“It doesn’t get any easier but it helps to have all these wonderful people in your corner.”
Clare Collins, chair of Advocacy Australia, said Magistrate O’Sullivan’s decision to grant the request for an inquest “clearly demonstrates that on review, there are many questions that need to be answered including determining who might have known that Biddy’s killer, a young person she trusted, posed a serious risk to others but failed to act”.
“We hope through the Coroner’s investigations, the truth surrounding the circumstances of Biddy’s death are brought to light with recommendations made on all aspects of Biddy’s case to deliver justice for Biddy, her loved ones and the wider community while helping to prevent such heinous crimes.”
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