Convicted murderer and rapist Jamie John Curtis pleads guilty to new charges

A CONVICTED murderer and rapist who was released from prison on parole last year will likely be paroled again after he was convicted of a series of new offences this morning.

Deputy Chief Magistrate Michael Daly convicted Jamie John Curtis in the Hobart Magistraes Court this morning. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

A CONVICTED murderer and rapist who was released from prison on parole last year will likely be paroled again after he was convicted of a series of new offences this morning.

Jamie John Curtis, 63, was sentenced in 1986 for murder, abduction, six counts of rape, aggravated burglary, four counts of causing grievous bodily harm, nine counts of assault, three counts of indecent assault, one count of escape and two counts of burglary.

He was paroled in June last year after 32 years in jail.

Curtis appeared in the Hobart Magistrates Court this morning on a raft of charges including breaching a restraint order, failing to comply with a community protection order and attempting to dishonestly acquire a financial advantage.

He had previously pleaded not guilty to all charges, but changed his pleas to guilty on some counts while others were dismissed.

Curtis pleaded guilty to eight counts of failing to comply with a community protection order and the remaining two counts were dismissed after the police prosecution did not tender any evidence.

Deputy Chief Magistrate Michael Daly

Two counts of breaching the restraining order were similarly dismissed and Curtis pleaded guilty to remaining three counts.

No evidence was tendered for making a false report to police or attempting to dishonestly acquire a financial advantage.

Curtis was required to provide details to police such as any internet and phone connections he had plus any cars he was using.

From June to August last year, he signed up to various dating websites including Zoosk, Plenty of Fish, eHarmony, Be2, and BeNaughty and also signed up to Facebook under the alias Steve Johnson.

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The police prosecutor also said he had contacted the woman mentioned in the restraint order and had her stay at his home for five nights in October last year.

Curtis was arrested and had been in custody since October 18 and his parole was suspended.

Curtis’ lawyer Fabiano Cangelosi said in relation to joining the dating websites that Curtis had had “limited use” of computers.

“Upon being paroled, he was setting foot into the 21st century with an understanding of technology that was from the 1980s,” he said.

Mr Cangelosi said Curtis intended to continue the relationship with the woman when the restraint order expires later this year and described him as being a “productive member of society” since his release.

He said Curtis had been working at a butchers’ shop and had rental accommodation

Mr Cangelosi said the parole board made the decision to revoke Curits’ parole due to the loss of him accommodation, but he now had an alternative “almost confirmed” and he was “likely” to be granted parole again.

“The stars are lining up for Mr Curtis,” Mr Cangelosi said.

Deputy Chief Magistrate Michael Daly said objectively the charges were serious, but not at the “top end of the scale.”

“To commit these offences while on parole is an aggravating factor,” he said.

“You’re entitled to be treated like anybody else in respect of these charges — I can’t punish you twice for your previous crimes.”

Curtis was sentenced to three months in prison backdated to October 18.

He will now have to reappear before the parole board.