Carlie Sinclair’s family ‘elated’ at murderer Danny Deacon’s failed appeal

THE gun undercover police who coaxed the truth out of murderer Danny Deacon acted within the law and did not engage in ‘oppressive conduct’, the Territory’s highest court has found.

Carlie Sinclair, who was murdered by Danny Deacon. Picture: Supplied

• REVEALED: How undercover cops busted Danny Deacon

THE gun undercover police who coaxed the truth out of murderer Danny Deacon acted within the law and did not engage in “oppressive conduct”, the Territory’s highest court has found.

The finding — more than two years under consideration — means Deacon’s conviction for the murder of his partner, Carlie Sinclair, stands.

Although Deacon could further appeal his verdict to the High Court, Friday’s decision marks a serious blow to any prospect he had to leaving jail in the foreseeable future.

Currently, he will be eligible to apply for parole in June 2036.

Marlene Sinclair, Carlie Sinclair’s mother. Picture: Michael Franchi

For Carlie Sinclair’s mother, Marlene Sinclair, Friday’s decision by the Court of Criminal Appeal is the fulfilment of a promise NT Police gave to get justice for her daughter.

“Hopefully he won’t go any further (through the courts),” Mrs Sinclair said.

Speaking from Melbourne, Mrs Sinclair said she hoped to soon get back the last of her daughter’s personal effects, many of which have been kept in police storage in case the courts ordered a retrial.

“As a family we are elated,” she said.

“It’s still a shock what he did to Carlie … I could understand if it was a car accident or something, but to have your daughter murdered is just so much worse … it shouldn’t have happened.”

Mrs Sinclair is now able to talk about the “awesome” work of a dedicated team of undercover police, who she met in 2014.

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“What they did was just awesome, to stick in there and just get the job done,” she said.

In reasons which run to more than 11,000 words, Chief Justice Michael Grant, Justice Stephen Southwood and Justice Trevor Riley found “it cannot be maintained that in the conduct of the covert operation police engaged in ‘oppressive conduct’.”

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The judges also rejected a prosecution appeal which was calling for Deacon’s 21 year and six month non-parole period to be extended.