‘I was expecting to die’: Convicted paedophile John Millwood defends multimillion-dollar asset shed

Convicted paedophile John Wayne Millwood claims he didn’t shed his multimillion-dollar estate behind bars because he knew he would be sued, but because he thought he would die in jail. Latest from court.

Convicted paedophile John Wayne Millwood enters the Federal Court of Australia at Hobart on Wednesday. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Convicted paedophile John Wayne Millwood has vehemently denied under oath that he shed millions of dollars in assets to block a pending damages claim from his victim – claiming instead he believed he would die behind bars.

The disgraced former Launceston arts patron and businessman, and former manager of Launceston Pathology, gave evidence about his bankrupt estate in the Federal Court of Australia on Wednesday.

Before Registrar Timothy Luxton, Millwood said he divested his assets because he thought he would die in prison from prostate cancer so needed to get his “affairs in order”.

Millwood was sentenced to jail time on December 7, 2016. This was the same day his victim-survivor lodged a civil claim for damages and the same day Millwood’s “trusted adviser” and accountant Ken Davey started emptying his estate.

In addition, Tasmania’s state government had already announced at this time that it planned to abolish its statute of limitations for child sexual abuse claims.

Convicted paedophile John Wayne Millwood has denied he shed millions of dollars in assets to block a pending damages claim from his victim. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

But on Wednesday, Millwood denied this had anything to do with his divestment strategy. He proclaimed he was “totally unaware” of the pending legislative changes and “unaware” his victim had lodged a claim.

He told the court that his custodial prison term came as a “total shock”, and that he never would have pleaded guilty if he knew that would be the outcome.

“I believed a deal had been done with the DPP (Director of Public Prosecutions) that I wouldn’t be going to prison,” Millwood said.

He said he didn’t want to die behind bars and for his victim-survivor to access his estate – but instead wanted his wealth to go to his daughter.

“(My doctor) said I’d have two to five years because I had aggressive prostate cancer,” Millwood said.

“I thought I really needed to get my things in order as I didn’t believe I’d survive in prison.

“I wanted all my bits and pieces to go to my daughter.”

Millwood denied he’d given specific instructions to Mr Davey to empty his estate, but also denied the accountant acted without his permission.

He said he was unable to speak with his accountant from prison, because staff would cut off his phone calls if he was heard speaking about business matters.

Convicted paedophile John Wayne Millwood tries to conceal his face from cameras as he enters the Federal Court at Hobart. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“I gave instructions to give my affairs in order, that’s abundantly clear. The process of how that happened was left to others,” Millwood said.

“I was expecting to die, that was the whole issue.

“I just asked them to do what they needed to do. I wasn’t in a position to give specific instructions.”

In December 2021, Millwood’s victim-survivor was awarded a record-breaking $5.3 million in damages.

But with Millwood declaring himself bankrupt last year after his estate was emptied, his victim has not yet seen a cent.

This week’s Federal Court proceedings has been brought by bankruptcy trustee, Sheahan Lock Partners, against Millwood’s bankrupt estate.

The firm is attempting to regain proceeds from the divested estate, which included several properties, a valuable colonial art collection, company shares and about $1.5 million in superannuation, on behalf of the survivor.

Millwood has been recalled to the witness stand when the matter resumes on November 13.

It is also expected his daughter, Sarah Millwood, will give evidence at that time.

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