‘Inevitable’: Reason for killer’s release
Written by admin on August 29, 2024
A convicted killer who attempted to rape a woman behind a bus stop in Sydney’s lower north shore will be released from prison on parole for a second time.
Terrence John Leary was sentenced in 2016 to 15 years in prison after attempting to rape the 30-year-old in Hunters Hill in 2016 while on parole for murder.
Leary spent 22 years behind bars after breaking into 17-year-old Vanessa Hoson’s home in 1990 before beating her to death after she refused to have sex.
The NSW State Parole Authority announced on Thursday that it again intended to release Leary, noting it was “conducive to the safety of the community”.
In his judgment, parole authority chair Geoffrey Bellew SC said it was “inevitable” that Leary would be released and it would be better done with supervision.
“In the authority’s view it is far better for the offender’s reintegration into the community, and for the community in general, for him to be closely supervised, than to be released in the absence of any supervision at all,” he said.
Mr Bellew noted the authority had two options: either release Leary on supervised parole or keep him in custody and release him with a shorter period of supervision or none at all.
The convicted killer’s release was not opposed by the NSW government, though further conditions to monitor his mental health were rejected by the parole authority.
The authority said on Thursday that, in its view, Leary’s mental health was “sufficiently addressed by a comprehensive supervision and monitoring plan”.
NSW Community Corrections did not support parole, recommending instead a period of external leave in the community, involving day leave and weekend.
Under conditions of his release, Leary will reside at a Community Corrections-supported facility, where he will be required to adhere to a curfew, terms, and conditions.
His release, supported by the Serious Offenders Review Council, will also involve compliance with the Child Protection Register and not visiting the Hawkesbury or Port Stephens LGAs.
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