A SERIAL sex offender—the first person to be gaoled indefinitely under WA’s dangerous sexual offenders act—will live within 15 minutes of Fremantle police station until WA authorities can get him off the streets.
Edward William Latimer was released from minimum security Karnet prison under a strict five-year supervision order that requires him to wear electronic monitors and submit regular blood and urine samples.
In 2006, the Supreme Court ruled the 48-year-old paedophile should remain in gaol indefinitely because he posed an ongoing danger to the community. His convictions include aggravated sexual penetration and attempted rape.
Reviewed and rejected for release six times since 2007, Latimer’s detention order was lifted Monday by Justice Lindy Jenkins.
Justice Jenkins said much had changed in the sex predator’s life. While acknowledging the risk he posed, “it can now be said the community can be adequately protected from that risk if I rescind the continuing detention order and make a strict supervision order”.
The judgement came days after the Supreme Court released serial rapist Patrick Alfred Dennis Comeagain and mentally ill paedophile Anthony John Alvisse.
“If the public doesn’t see something quite as being right or they’re angry, you can bet your bottom dollar we’re feeling exactly the same thing,” WA corrective services minister Joe Francis told media this week. He says the government’s job is to, “try and do something about it, which is why when you see judges or courts not give sentences or penalties or restrictions in line with community expectations, we amend the law”.
Attorney-General Michael Mischin is reviewing the DSO Act introduced by former Labor attorney-general Jim McGinty, who’d said the Act was designed to keep such dangerous sex offenders behind bars.
Mr McGinty warns it is only a matter of time before a released sexual predator commits a sexual offence.
This time last year Justice Stephen Hall told Latimer during his annual review, “you’ve got a long way to go”. Consultant forensic psychiatrist Peter Wynn Owen told the court Latimer had participated in the sex offender denier program and had started to make “realistic comments” and “insightful statements” about his crimes. Unconvinced enough progress had been made, Justice Hall kept him behind bars, but told Latimer he was pleased with his progress.
This year Dr Owen reported Latimer had shown an improved attitude towards other people, particularly those in authority. Justice Jenkins agreed, and ordered his release.
by CARMELO AMALFI