Notorious criminal Anthony John Smith’s parole move hits a hurdle

Armed robber Anthony Smith escaped custody multiple times but is now applying to formally exit prison, which has worried victims and police.

Anthony John Smith while on the run in 1999/2000.

Notorious armed robber and serial escapee Anthony John Smith has applied for release from prison on parole – but has already hit a hurdle.

Sources have revealed the Parole Board “deferred’’ Smith’s application at the first hearing and has sought “further information concerning his status and rehabilitation’’.

Smith’s move has alarmed his victims and senior police, who have been advised of his formal bid for freedom.

Earlier this year, The Advertiser revealed Smith had launched Supreme Court action to have his security rating downgraded to prepare for his eventual release from prison.

He also appealed a decision not to admit him the violence prevention program at Port Augusta prison – a prerequisite for parole – but he withdrew this aspect when he was admitted to the program at Yatala Labour Prison.

Anthony Smith after leaving court in 2003.

Smith withdrew his appeal against the security rating downgrade in March and is still housed in maximum security at Yatala Labour Prison.

Correctional Services yesterday declined to comment in detail when asked if Smith had completed the VPP to assist his parole application.

“Prisoners are individually assessed for participation in relevant programs and may participate in programs throughout their sentence. Programs are delivered to prisoners at times that are deemed appropriate for them,’’ a spokesperson said.

Smith is serving a 30-year sentence with an 18-year non-parole period.

He was eligible for release on parole last October, but did not apply until last week. In 2003, he pleaded guilty to armed robberies committed in 1999 and 2000 while he was on the run after escaping custody. Smith was 19 when he robbed the Buckingham Arms Hotel at Walkerville. He was arrested but, one month later, became the state’s most wanted man by escaping custody while visiting his father in hospital.

Police search a street in Christie Downs, following a report that escaped prisoner Anthony Smith was there.

While on the run, he robbed the ANZ bank at Myrtle Bank and shot two people while escaping. During his time on the run, he spent 10 days staying at a five-star hotel on North Tce and took a photograph of himself with the proceeds of his bank robberies.

In late 2003, prison officers foiled an escape plot from Yatala involving Smith and two other violent prisoners – Paul John Page and Michael Barry Fyfe.

Smith was the ringleader in the plot which involved crashing a heavy vehicle through the jail perimeter.

The plot involved smuggling a phone and hacksaw blades into Yatala for Smith and his accomplices to use to co-ordinate a mass escape, but it was thwarted by an undercover operation.

In 2006, Smith was linked to the discovery of four hacksaw blades, pliers and three mobile phones in Yatala’s high-security B Division, where he was being held.

In 2013, Smith was caught with a stash of contraband in his cell at Port Augusta Prison, including illicit drugs, two mobile phones and chargers.

After that discovery, Correctional Services chief executive David Brown described him as “resourceful and cunning’’.

Originally published as Notorious criminal Anthony John Smith’s parole move hits a hurdle