Snowtown accomplice Mark Ray Haydon handed onerous restrictions on his freedom by Supreme Court

The Supreme Court has placed dozens of strict conditions on the freedom of the man who helped cover up SA’s most infamous serial killings. Read them here.

The accomplice in the infamous “Bodies in the Barrels” serial murder spree must spend the next 18 months subject to 27 strict conditions on his freedom, as one of the killers prepares his own bid for release.

On Wednesday, and after a year of closed-door negotiatons between the state government and defence counsel, the Supreme Court placed Mark Ray Haydon on an extended supervision order.

Haydon listened via visual link-up from what his counsel called “a remote locations” as Justice Laura Stein outlined prohibitions on drug use, prescriptions, firearms and weaponry access as well as treatment programs he must undertake.

“It’s absolutely critical that you strictly obey these conditions,” she said.

“If you breach any of these conditions, you should expect to find yourself back in custody.

“You should expect there might be an application to keep you in custody for a period of time.”

In May last year, Haydon – who covered up the infamous murder spree – was released on parole – ahead of the expiration of his 25-year sentence.

Mark Haydon has his first taste of freedom last year. Picture: 7NEWS

He was placed on a strict interim supervision order as the government sought to have that formalised into an extended supervision order.

A parole application by James Vlassakis, who committed four of the murders alongside John Justin Bunting and Robert Joe Wagner, is expected to be heard in late June.

He gave evidence at trial against the duo and, as a result, was granted identity suppressions that continue to this day, and sentenced to a minimum 26-year term.

Vlassakis’ experiences were dramatised in the 2011 film Snowtown.

Bunting and Wagner were sentenced to life without parole.

On Wednesday, Sam Abbott KC, for Haydon, said his client had a copy of orders sought by the government.

Mark Haydon leaves the Adelaide Pre Release Centre at Northfield last year. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Kelly Barnes

“We do not concede but do not oppose Your Honour making the findings necessary to impose these orders,” he said.

Solicitor-General Mike Wait SC said the orders were otherwise “by consent”.

Justice Stein told Haydon she was pleased he already had a copy of the orders.

“If there’s anything you are unsure of, make sure you check with your legal adviser or with your supervising officer so there’s no risk that you breach this accidentally,” she said.

The supervision order runs for 18 months from Wednesday, after which the government may seek to extend it further by applying to the court.

Originally published as Snowtown accomplice Mark Ray Haydon handed onerous restrictions on his freedom by Supreme Court