94,000 ‘monsters’ on the loose: Mothers of slain women speak out about major justice flaw

The mothers of these three women say their daughters never stood a chance with tens of thousands of monsters roaming Australian streets.

How many dangerous monsters like Audrey Griffin’s killer are walking among us?

The answer is frightening.

Michael Torrens was one of 66,800 people serving community corrections orders across the state when he killed 19-year-old Griffin on March 22.

More startling is the fact NSW courts have seen fit to impose more than 27,700 more serious intensive corrections orders on people whose crimes can be considered as worthy of a jail sentence.

An alternative to full time jail, the intensive corrections orders are a custodial sentence of up to two years that can be served in the community.

A former NSW homicide cop says the figures, obtained by news.com.au are “staggering”.

Peter Hogan said the time has come to seriously consider whether community corrections orders should be given in the case of a breach of an apprehended violence order or a domestic violence incident.

“Why is this allowed? Why is the general population or community being placed in a position where our safety is at risk,” Mr Hogan said.

Adrian Torrens, 53, had been given multiple chances to change his ways before he killed an innocent young woman who just happened to be walking home. Picture: Facebook.

“Surely it is not difficult to realise that something needs to change.”

When the numbers of ICO’s and CCO’s are combined, 94,557 offenders are free in our community, this is outrageous, why is this allowed, why is the general population or community being placed in a position where our safety is at risk. Surely it is not difficult to realise that something needs to change.

NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb has expressed frustration about the leniency in sentencing, going as far as to say 19-year-old Audrey would not be dead if Torrens had been locked up after his AVO breach.

“A community corrections order for someone who has a violent history is no answer for people like Torrens,” she said.

Torrens - who suicided in custody after being charged with Audrey’s murder - had been released back into the community despite his disturbing history.

When arrested for murder he was not only serving a CCO but also charged with using a carriage service in a harassing or menacing manner, and 10 counts of contravening an apprehended violence order - two of the counts were for knowingly contravening the AVO for a third time in 28 days.

Audrey Griffin was attacked and killed by random stranger Adrien Torrens as she walked home on March 22. Picture: LinkedIn

Tabitha Acret has seen first hand the absolute horror that comes with allowing repeat offenders back into the community.

Her daughter Mackenzie Anderson was brutally murdered in her own home by her ex-boyfriend.

Tyrone Thompson stabbed the 21-year-old mother 78 times when he broke into her Newcastle home in 2022 while on parole for multiple other domestic violence offences against her.

In another devastating blow last week Thompson was sentenced to just 15 years in jail.

“He was sentenced to a maximum term of 21 years in prison, but lets be honest he will be out in the minimum term of 15,” Mrs Acret told news.com.au

“I have been tracking the last eight years of sentencing and there really is no consistency,” she said.

“Everyone agrees this is one of the most horrific DV murders that have happened in NSW yet here we are with this sentence that is just outrageous for taking away our beautiful girl.”

Ms Acret is meeting with NSW Premier Chris Minns, hoping desperately to start the larger conversation for change.

Emma Wardle’s aunty Kristy Smith is holding a walk to end violence this weekend. Picture: Supplied

Mackenzie Anderson’s killer was sentenced to a minimum term to 15 years and her mum Tabitha Acret is outraged. Picture: Supplied

“I’m obviously outraged because this is my daughter we are talking about but I also don’t want this to happen to other people. I am fighting for every girl in Australia.

“The sentences sent a terrible message that we don’t really care.”

Kristy Smith, whose 18-year-old niece Emma Wardle was strangled to death by Jordan Brodie Miller, says she will not let up until laws change and violence against women stops.

In April 2024 the NSW Court of Appeal overturned Miller’s 20-year jail term following his claim he experienced a “miscarriage of justice” because of fresh evidence he was diagnosed with schizophrenia after the trial and was experiencing ongoing symptoms.

The panel of judges found he did kill Ms Wardle but declared him “not criminally responsible”.

On Saturday she and three friends will be holding a rally to “say no” to violence, and will be “walking for my beautiful niece Emerald Wardle whose life was taken by a monster and all victims of heinous violent crimes”.

“We’ll be meeting at Newcastle Museum and marching to Foreshore Park to stand together for the 24 women who’ve already lost their lives this year and to demand real action,” Ms Smith said.

“The number of women killed in gender-based violence has increased over the past five years with 2024 being remembered as one of the worst on record.”

“The pendulum has swung too far the other way the justice system is allowing these monsters away with heinous violent murders using excuses such as mental health,” she said.