NCA bomber Domenic Perre jailed and will serve non-parole period of 37 years

NCA bomber Domenic Perre has been given a hefty sentence that ranks him among the worst and most villainous killers in SA history – delighting the widow of one of the two victims.

NCA bomber Domenic Perre is likely to die in jail and will have to live into his late 90s for any hope of being released over his infamous 1994 crime.

On Friday, the Supreme Court ordered Perre to serve a non-parole period of 37 years and five months for the “barbaric and ruthless” murder of Detective Sergeant Geoffrey Bowen and attempted murder of lawyer Peter Wallis.

The non-parole period, which also takes into account Perre’s existing drug offending sentence, ranked among the longest ever imposed in South Australia for murderers.

After stepping from the courtroom, Sgt Bowen’s wife Jane Bowen-Sutton said she was “thrilled, just thrilled’’ with the sentence.

Jane Bowen-Sutton, widow of NCA bombing victim Geoffrey Bowen, talks to media after the sentencing of Domenic Perre. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Emma Brasier

“I thought it was a really fair sentence, it is what Perre deserved,’’ she said.

“He will die in prison, which I think is just.’’

Police Commissioner Grant Stevens echoed her comments concerning Perre’s future.

“This sentence brings to a close a very tragic set of circumstances that has had an impact on all police in Australia and the families of Geoff Bowen and Peter Wallis,’’ he said.

“After 28 years and extensive investigations we have seen Domenic Perre held accountable for his horrific crime.

“I think we all take great comfort that Domenic Perre will die in jail. I think it is something the family is very pleased with and we think this is a just outcome for the horrific crime he committed.’’

Prosecutors had asked Perre be jailed for life without parole, saying his “premeditated, cold-blooded” crime was in “the worst category of murder”.

Convicted murderer and National Crime Authority bomber Domenic Perre. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Brenton Edwards

In all of SA history, only two criminals – “bodies in the barrels” serial killers John Justin Bunting and Robert Joe Wagner – have received such a penalty.

Repeat rapist and double murderer Mark Errin Rust is serving an indefinite prison term because of his diagnosed inability to control his sexual urges.

Murderous double child-kidnapper Dieter Pfennig is serving the state’s longest non-parole period of 60 years, and must live to be 103 in order to even apply for release.

However, Justice Kevin Nicholson said it would be inappropriate to deny Perre any hope of one day being released.

He also granted Perre “some leniency” for his advanced age, extremely poor health and the fact he had lived for almost three decades under “relentless” suspicion as the primary suspect in the bombing.

Following a marathon trial, Perre, 65, was found guilty of murdering Detective Sergeant Bowen and attempting to murder lawyer Peter Wallis, who has since passed away.

Justice Kevin Nicholson was satisfied, beyond reasonable doubt, that Perre’s guilt was “the only rational conclusion” that could be drawn from almost 30 years of evidence.

Perre, who underwent heart surgery following the verdict, has filed an appeal – his victims’ families, meanwhile, dubbed him a worthless, evil wannabe gangster.

In sentencing on Friday, Justice Nicholson said the bombing was both “notorious” and “simply horrendous”.

He said the pain, shock and distress suffered by the victims and their families “can only be extreme”.

“The murder of Geoffrey Bowen and grievous harm caused to Peter Wallis was violent, barbaric and ruthless,” he said.

“Your conduct was brutish and totally devoid of human sensibility.”

He said Perre’s actions were not spur of the moment and were more than just premeditated.

Serial killers John Justin Bunting, left, and Robert Joe Wagner, right – pictured with a guard, centre – are serving life sentences without parole. Picture: Campbell Brodie

“This was intricately devised and planned over a long period of time and was executed in cold blood.

“The targeted murder of a police officer acting in, and because he was acting in, the course of his duty cannot be tolerated.”

Justice Nicholson paid tribute to the Bowen and Wallis families, praising their ongoing strength in the face of unimaginable distress.”

He also praised Mr Wallis himself, who survived the bombing but died in 2018, for his courage in enduring pain, disfigurement and mental health issues.

He said Perre could have been shown leniency had he expressed contrition and remorse – as he said that, Perre looked up from the dock for the first and only time during the hearing.

However, Justice Nicholson ruled Perre could be shown some mercy due to his elderly and frail physical state.

He further noted Perre had not enjoyed a free and easy life in the decades between the bombing and his conviction due to ongoing police investigations and “relentless, unfavourable” media coverage.

Justice Nicholson said he would have jailed Perre for life for murder, and for 15 years for attempted murder, had he been sentencing each crime individually.

He backdated Perre’s 37-year non parole period to June 2017 when he began serving time for his drug offending.

“It might be little comfort Mr Perre but, by my calculations, this means you will be well into your late 90s before being eligible to make application for parole,” he said.

Originally published as NCA bomber Domenic Perre jailed and will serve non-parole period of 37 years