Tasmanian man jailed for wood-hooking manslaughter of 7-year-old boy receives parole decision

A Tasmanian man jailed for causing the death of a young boy during a wood-hooking expedition in isolated bushland 10 years ago has found out whether he will be released on parole.

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A Tasmanian man jailed for causing the death of a seven-year-old boy during an ill-fated wood-hooking expedition in isolated bushland 2015 has been released from prison after successfully applying for parole.

Joshua George Hector Clark, 47, was found guilty by a Supreme Court jury of the manslaughter of Akira Carroll, and sentenced to four years and nine months’ imprisonment.

Ordering Clark to serve at least half that term before being eligible for parole, Justice Stephen Estcourt said the defendant had been accompanied by his partner and her three small children during a firewood-cutting trip to the Derwent Valley in August, 2015.

Damage caused by illegal firewood harvesting.

Justice Estcourt said Clark had negligently cut down a 32m tree located only 22m from his car, which fell onto the vehicle and struck his partner’s eldest child in the head.

The boy died in hospital the following day after sustaining a fatal injury to his brain stem.

“I am satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the defendant failed to follow his own safe practice of cutting a wedge out of the tree on the side of the tree that was facing the direction of the intended fall, before cutting a back cut on the other side of the tree,” Justice Estcourt said.

“Had he done this, I am satisfied that he would have had some chance of controlling the fall of the tree …”

His Honour said while he accepted Clark had not foreseen death as a likely consequence of his actions, he had to accept responsibility for the unintended loss of life.

A subsequent appeal by the defendant, in which he claimed his sentence was manifestly excessive, was dismissed by the Court of Criminal Appeal in March, 2023.

On 17 January, Clark appeared at a Parole Board of Tasmania hearing, where he was invited to provide information in support of his application, and to make himself available for questioning.

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In its judgment, the parole board said Clark had been immediately remorseful after the tragic incident, and continued to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder.

“The applicant states he will always have to live with the fact that he has taken a son away from their family,” the board said.

“While it is always on his mind, he says he will try to do whatever he can to help other people as a way of making amends for his actions.”

The board said Clark had used his time in prison to undertake qualifications in the building and construction industries, and had recently completed a TAFE course in engineering and manufacturing.

The father of four had organised employment as a builder’s labourer on his release from prison, and was committed to rebuilding relationships with his children, and making a positive contribution to the community.

“The Board is convinced that the applicant can succeed at parole and work towards his desire to help others and be a valuable member of society,” the decision read.

The board granted Clark parole from 28 January.