Morcombes fight parole bid of Bundaberg child killer Allyn Slater

Two Queensland families bound by unthinkable tragedy have united in their fight to keep child killers behind bars for as long as possible.

Daniel Morcombe’s parents Bruce and Denise Morcombe

The parents of murdered Queensland boy Daniel Morcombe are calling for child killers to be kept in jail for as long as possible as they throw their support behind a terrified family.

It comes as Bundaberg killer Allyn John Slater will soon be eligible to apply for parole 15 years after he murdered eight-year-old Trinity Bates and left her in a storm water drain in 2010.

Bruce and Denise Morcombe have backed a call for Slater to be declared a restricted prisoner, which prevents him from being eligible for parole for up to 10 years.

Mr Morcombe said child killers belonged in jail, and the result of Slater’s case would set a precedent for others, including his son’s killer, Brett Peter Cowan.

“Daniel and Trinity won’t be coming back, but we can make sure those responsible pay a big price for what they’ve done,” Mr Morcombe said.

“Anything we can do now to keep these child killers in jail, which is where they should be, we’ve got to do it.”

Their support comes after Trinity’s parents Amanda Clarke and Damien Bates spoke with The Sunday Mail about the pain of knowing Slater was eligible for parole in August.

Slater snatched Trinity from her bedroom while she was sleeping, murdered her, and left her in a storm water drain just metres from her house.

Slater was jailed for 15 years and has never given a reason for killing Trinity.

Earlier this year, Slater was convicted for making depraved child exploitation material while inside jail.

Trinity Bates’ parents Damien Bates and Amanda Clarke

Mrs Clarke said the thought of Slater being back in their community was terrifying.

“The last 15 years have been like a living hell that we can’t escape,” Mrs Clarke told The Sunday Mail.

“Just the thought of this happening is terrifying, the impact for our family would be unimaginable.”

The Parole Board Queensland has the option to declare child killers or those who have killed multiple people as restricted prisoners, which will prohibit the offender from making another bid for freedom for up to 10 years.

The Morcombe’s 13-year-old son, Daniel, was abducted and murdered by Cowan on the Sunshine Coast in 2003.

Mr Morcombe said a person who kills a child doesn’t deserve freedom.

“I think it’s unacceptable that after 15 years a child killer can be let free.

“It makes my skin crawl. He is a risk to society, particularly children.

“We are walking that walk ourselves, Cowan got a similar sentence, he got life but can apply for parole after 20 years.

“Those days tick over and he’s well over half way through, we know it’s only a matter of time and Cowan may well apply for parole.

“Parents and family members of people that have lost a child through murder – it’s a club no one wants to be in – we observe other cases and we want to make it as easy as possible to make sure justice is served.”

Mr Morcombe raised his concerns in a meeting with Police Minister Dan Purdie on Tuesday.

Corrective Services Minister Laura Gerber has previously said she didn’t think Slater should be released, but said the decision was ultimately up to the independent Parole Board Queensland.

Trinity Bates

Daniel Morcombe

Originally published as Morcombes fight parole bid of Bundaberg child killer Allyn Slater