Jonathan Richard Anthony, 36, has been sentenced to eight years in jail by a Perth judge for the kidnapping of an eight-year-old child and the attempted abduction of a 12-year-old child from their home in Moora, Western Australia. The incidents occurred in the early hours of March 31, 2023, with Anthony pleading guilty to multiple charges.
Incident Details
In the early hours of March 31, 2023, Anthony entered a residence in Moora where the two children, brothers James Uzice (eight years old) and Fabiano (12 years old), were being supervised by a friend while their father was in Perth for work. Anthony was described as wearing items of disguise, including a balaclava, a wig, and a mask.
He removed eight-year-old James Uzice from his bed and transported him to Anthony's own residence nearby. James was detained in Anthony's home for three hours. During this period, Anthony compelled the child to consume beer and made threats. The District Court heard that James attempted to leave but was physically restrained by Anthony. CCTV footage from within Anthony's residence documented events related to the detention as well as the initial abduction from the children's home. James was subsequently located after calling for help, prompting family members to alert police.
Following the initial abduction of James, Anthony returned to the children's home to retrieve 12-year-old Fabiano. Anthony led Fabiano from his bed, but the older boy managed to resist and escape Anthony's grasp when they reached the patio area, subsequently alerting authorities.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing
Anthony was sentenced in the Perth District Court. Judge Seamus Rafferty presided over the sentencing, noting that the detained boy was described as "terrified" and characterizing the offenses as "extremely serious."
Anthony pleaded guilty to multiple charges. He received an eight-year jail sentence, with eligibility for parole after serving six years. The sentence has been backdated to 2023.
Background and Judicial Findings
During the court proceedings, Judge Rafferty stated that Anthony was experiencing "significant psychosis" at the time of the incidents. Anthony has a diagnosis of schizophrenia and had ceased taking medication for the condition in 2022, continuing to use illicit drugs.
Evidence presented indicated Anthony reported initiating cannabis use at age 10 and methylamphetamine use at age 15. A 2020 sentencing for arson had previously highlighted "heavy drug use" as a factor impacting his mental health. Hours prior to the child's abduction, Anthony had inhaled two 600-millilitre cans of butane. He described the effects as resembling "a bad batch of psychedelics," leading to delusions such as believing "the TV was talking to me" and perceiving "aliens everywhere," alongside a belief he needed to "save the kids."
Defence lawyer Frances Veltman informed the court that her client had experienced "heard voices for 10 to 15 years" and held delusions concerning aliens. Judge Rafferty acknowledged Anthony's remorse for his actions but also noted that Anthony's mental illness underscored the necessity of protecting the community. The prosecution characterized the event as a "parent's worst nightmare," and the judge drew a comparison to the abduction of four-year-old Cleo Smith.