‘Graphic violence’: Child murderer’s ‘depraved’ novel discovered in cell

A Queensland inmate, who is currently serving a life sentence for murdering an eight-year-old girl, has written a “depraved” novel fantasising about inflicting violent sexual abuse upon children.

Wolston Correctional Centre

A Queensland inmate, who is currently serving a life sentence for murdering an eight-year-old girl, has written a “depraved” novel fantasising about inflicting violent sexual abuse upon children.

Allyn John Slater’s disturbing prison diary was uncovered by guards during a search of his single-occupant cell in October 2023, Brisbane’s District Court was told at his sentence on Thursday.

Slater had been convicted in 2012 for the murder of eight-year-old Trinity Bates, who he had abducted from her bedroom at night in February 2010.

The court was told Slater had strangled Trinity and left her to drown in a stormwater drain.

While serving his mandatory life sentence at Wolston Correctional Centre, Slater started writing a “novel” which was found to contain over 38 pages of written fantasies of a “graphic depraved nature” within an 88-page notebook, the court was told.

Judge John Allen KC said Slater had written several stories in first person – some including graphic illustrations – and involved Slater himself as the protagonist sexually abusing children.

“Several stories involved the intentional infliction of serious pain on children during such sexual abuse,” Judge Allen said.

Trinity Bates.

“Such sadistic behaviour was described in great detail.

“The fantasies included graphic violence including murder.”

Slater’s fantasies included descriptions of him abducting children from their parents, before impregnating and marrying them, the court was told.

“Your offending is disturbing, particularly in light of the nature of the murder which led to your imprisonment,” Judge Allen said.

“The material demonstrates a continuing perverted interest in sexual violence towards children and raises real concerns as to whether you in light of your history continue to present a real risk to children.”

“ … I have no doubt the parole board will consider this offending in considering any future application for parole … That perhaps will be of more consequence to you than any sentence I impose today.”

The court was told Slater was originally going to be eligible for parole in February 2025.

Defence barrister Terry Morgans said his client “didn’t mean to cause offence”.

He said Slater “loves to write” and that it gave him an “escape”.

“He writes nightly before he goes to sleep each night,” Mr Morgans said.

“They are a form of escape, a means he feels that maintains his sanity and a way of controlling his anxious feelings.”

The court heard Slater had told police he wasn’t aware his writing was illegal and that it just “gets a little out of hand.”

Mr Morgans said he now wrote about adventure.

Slater pleaded guilty at sentence to one count each of making child exploitation material and possessing child exploitation material.

He wore a beige button up shirt and black glasses, with his hair pulled back in a ponytail.

His head was bowed throughout the majority of the proceedings, with the repeated tapping of his leg causing his body to visibly shake.

Judge Allen said in his favour, his offending had not encouraged the creation of child exploitation material by obtaining it from someone else, and he had not disseminated it.

He sentenced Slater to two years in jail – which will run concurrently with his life sentence.

Slater will be eligible to apply for parole on August 22, 2025.

Judge Allen noted that if Slater was ever released, he would remain on parole for the rest of his life.

Originally published as ‘Graphic violence’: Child murderer’s ‘depraved’ novel discovered in cell