Jake Frecker faces release four years after bashing Kimbarlie O’Reilly

A woman who was almost killed by her ex during an hour-long assault says she “collapsed” when she was told her attacker had been granted parole.

Kimbarlie O'Reilly almost died after a vicious bashing by her ex. Picture: Alex Coppel.

Domestic abuse survivor Kim O’Reilly is calling for change to the criminal parole process after the man who almost killed her was scheduled for release on the very same day he attacked her four years ago.

In the early hours of January 17, 2019, Ms O’Reilly suffered an hour-long assault at the hands of country footy player Jake Frecker so loud it woke the neighbours, who called triple-0.

Frecker, will be released for parole on Tuesday – the anniversary of the assault that hospitalised Ms O’Reilly, leaving her with PTSD and lifelong injuries.

“When I found out, I collapsed,” she said.

“Mum just cried. Dad hasn’t slept much. We’re all just heartbroken.

“The insensitivity of being released on that day is agonising.

“His day of freedom, but for me the day he ruined my life forever.”

Ms O'Reilly suffered serious injuries. Picture: Supplied

Ms O'Reilly was bashed by former boyfriend Jake Frecker. Picture: Supplied

Frecker, who pleaded guilty to assault, repeatedly punched her in the face, eye and jaw, breaking her eye socket and cracking several of her teeth in a fit of rage sparked by a text message sent to Ms O’Reilly by an earlier ex-partner who she shares a business with.

The former Australian of the Year Award finalist’s story first made national headlines after she started a national campaign to ban perpetrators from playing community sport after Frecker was allowed to play football at a local club while on bail in 2019.

Now Ms O’Reilly is calling for victims to be present at parole hearings, either in person or via video link, to properly express their concerns and fears.

“I have been fearful of this day since the day he was arrested,” she said.

“I deserve his sentence (to be carried out), for what I have endured, and still suffer today and will for the rest of my life.

Ms O'Reilly suffered serious injuries after being bashed by former boyfriend Jake Frecker. Picture: Supplied

“The sentences perpetrators receive for their own wrongdoing on another human being should be mandatory and reflect the damage it has caused us.”

Ms O’Reilly told the Herald Sun she received a call in December to alert her that Frecker had been approved for parole in October last year.

“I wasn’t given any information other than he isn’t allowed to contact me or come to Mildura within the next two years while he waits out his parole period to cease,” Ms O’Reilly said.

“I wrote a submission to the parole board and begged for them to not let him out (because of) the threats he made to me and my family.”

Ms O’Reilly said her only involvement in the parole process was to write an email requesting Frecker not be released early, and wait.

Jack Frecker was sentenced to six years over the brutal assault. Picture: Supplied

On January 13, she received another call from the Victoria victim’s register advising her of the conditions of Frecker’s release, along with an email from the parole board explaining their role in the process.

“Basically, telling me they do not have anything to do with the decision of his sentencing, which they do not and I understand that, but they can make the decision to enforce that sentence, and allow me to feel safe,” she said.

Frecker broke his intervention order while on bail in 2019 and was subsequently denied an appeal, leaving Ms O’Reilly stunned at his early release.

“I’m trying still to make sense of it and how it’s all about the perpetrator and not us, the victims,” she said.

The Adult Parole Board of Victoria has been contacted for comment.