Sex offender Mark Darren Beattie funeral release bid angers victims

A serious sex offender found guilty of assaulting a child made a request to be granted day release to attend his mother’s funeral.

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A serious sex offender found guilty of assaulting a child made a request to be granted day release to attend his mother’s funeral.

Mark Darren Beattie is currently serving a three-year sentence at Langi Kal Kal prison in Trawalla.

The former Geelong man pleaded guilty to three charges of an indecent act with a child under 16, one charge of indecent assault and one charge of sexual assault by touching another child under 16.

He was jailed for three years and three months, with a non parole period of two years.

Beattie was registered as a serious sex offender.

The Geelong Advertiser understands Beattie put in a request to be released to attend his mother’s funeral and burial on July 30.

One of the man’s victims said she received a text message on Monday saying she would receive a call from the Victims Register and was then told of the request.

“I didn’t have any understanding that prisoners could apply to go to funerals,” she said.

“If you’re in jail for a crime of say murder, domestic violence or sexual assault you shouldn’t have the right to apply to go to a funeral.

“You should watch it via video link.”

The woman said Beattie’s attempt to attend the funeral had impacted the victims.

“It’s just a joke. There are no f***s given to the victim.”

A Department of Justice and Community Safety spokeswoman said prisoners could

make an application for permission to attend the funeral of a family member.

“Each application is carefully assessed for risks to community safety and any potential impact on victims,” she said.

“We do not discuss individual prisoners or their movements.”

When a prisoner makes a request, Corrections Victoria contacts the Victim Register to seek information about registered victims and any areas of concern as part of the assessment process.

It’s understood applications are denied where it is apparent that the release would present an unacceptable safety risk.

Where an application is granted, the prisoner is escorted by custodial officers at all times.

Originally published as Sex offender Mark Darren Beattie funeral release bid angers victims