Inquest probes Geoffrey Fardell murder at hands of max security inmate Richard Reay at Kempsey jail

A murdered inmate who was on remand for relatively minor offending was the ‘polar opposite’ of the unhinged monster he was forced to share a Kempsey jail cell with.

Geoffrey Fardell (left) was murdered by Richard Jason Reay (right) in the Mid-North Coast Correctional Centre at Kempsey in 2019.

A murdered inmate who was on remand for relatively minor offending was the “polar opposite” of the unhinged monster he was forced to share a Kempsey jail cell with.

Geoffrey Fardell was thrown into Cell 234 in the B Section of the Mid North Coast Correctional Facility on June 3, 2019, with hardened criminal Richard Jason Reay whose violent criminal record of more than 60 offences had gained him notoriety in Queensland and NSW prisons.

About 5am on June 11, a fellow inmate on coffee delivery duties found Mr Fardell’s 52-year-old lifeless body on the cell floor with Reay, who was 47 at the time, telling them he had been dead for six hours.

Reay was charged with murder with NSW Supreme Court Justice Robert Allan Hulme finding the offender guilty in 2021.

While the exact manner of Mr Fardell’s death is undetermined, it was found he had been strangled – likely with the cable of a television or antenna.

Geoffrey Fardell, pictured here in his 20s, was 52 when he was murdered.

Reay’s evidence during the juryless trial was deemed “implausible” with Justice Hulme sentencing him to a 30-year jail term.

Deputy State Coroner Magistrate Erin Kennedy commenced an inquest into Mr Fardell’s death on Thursday by describing it as a “shocking tragedy”.

The inquest heard Mr Fardell was classified as an C1 minimum security inmate, whereas Reay, who had a track record of vicious assaults on other inmates and corrective officers, was classified as A2 maximum security.

Corrective Services NSW general manager of statewide operations Malcolm Brown was the only person to give evidence during the three-hour hearing.

Mr Brown was not in the position at the time of Mr Fardell’s death, but indicated steps have been taken by CSNSW to prevent such incidents from occurring.

The inquest heard steps have been taken by Corrective Services NSW to prevent such incidents from occurring.

“It is our role to ensure the safety of those in custody,” he said.

“I believe the process we’ve now got in place is more comprehensive.”

The inquest heard what changes had already and would be made, however a court order is in place to prohibit the publication of the inner workings of CSNSW policies and procedures.

The counsel assisting the Coroner submitted the key issue in the inquiry was the “appropriateness” of Mr Fardell and Reay’s placement in the jail.

“They were the polar opposite of each other,” they said.

Richard Jason Reay was sentenced to 30 years behind bars for the murder of Geoffrey Fardell.

“Mr Fardell was a fearful inmate and Mr Reay was an inmate who required segregation which would protect others from him.”

The court heard a statement from Mr Fardell’s mother Sandra Deveson where she said she felt an obligation to “protect him” and help him live a “strong and balanced life”.

The heartbroken mother said she missed being able to “share cappuccinos and swims at the beach” and hearing her son greet her with a cheeky “hello darling”.

“My ongoing nightmare is your last moments and the traumatic end to your life,” Ms Deveson said.

“I wish I could have protected you.”

Findings will be delivered at a later date.

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