A 39-year-old Australian man, legally identified as SLD, has pleaded guilty to multiple charges including breaching supervisory orders and possessing child abuse material. SLD, who became known as Australia's youngest convicted murderer after killing a three-year-old neighbor in 2001, was subject to strict release conditions following his 20-year prison sentence.
Current Charges
SLD pleaded guilty to five counts of breaching supervisory orders and two charges related to child abuse material. According to court documents:
- On March 20, 2024, SLD informed supervising officers that he had been violating his release conditions.
- A review of his phone by New South Wales Police found one image of a naked five-year-old girl and 43 images depicting women in sexually violent situations, including an image titled "the raped virgin."
- SLD searched for terms including "real child rape" and viewed videos claiming to show sexual assault.
- He created a Facebook profile using a fake name to communicate with the public.
- SLD told authorities he had been deleting internet activity, using the dark web, and wanted to access dating sites.
Supervision Conditions
Upon his release in 2023, SLD's extended supervision order (ESO) included restrictions on social networking and dating sites without approval, and a ban on viewing sexually explicit material. The ESO was imposed due to an assessed high risk of violent or sexual reoffending and prohibited him from associating with children.
Previous Breach Conviction
In 2023, a court determined that SLD breached his supervision orders by approaching a mother and her partially undressed toddler near an outdoor shower at Bulli Beach in Wollongong. For this breach, he received an 18-month jail term that expired in April.
SLD is currently appealing this conviction in the NSW Court of Criminal Appeal. During the appeal hearing:
- Defense lawyer Nicholas Broadbent SC argued that his client's actions did not constitute 'association' with a child, stating SLD initiated conversation with the mother about a foot tap and inquired about her son's physical appearance and whether his father was present. The defense asserted there was no direct interaction with the toddler.
- Crown prosecutor Stephanie Lind argued that the ESO's child protection objective implies SLD should be excluded from intentionally approaching a child, regardless of whether they are accompanied. Lind also cited SLD's severe personality disorder and high level of institutionalization as factors contributing to a heightened risk of reoffending.
SLD observed the appeal proceedings via audio-visual link from a custody cell. The judgment for the appeal has been reserved.
Background
SLD was convicted of abducting and fatally stabbing his three-year-old neighbor Courtney Morley-Clarke in 2001 when he was 13 years old. He served 20 years in prison.
SLD recently stated that the murder was motivated by revenge for what he described as bullying by the victim's brother.
Status
Sentencing for the current charges is scheduled for next month at Campbelltown District Court.