Jill Meagher’s killer likely to die in jail after prison term extended
After a County Court Judge sentenced him for three more violent and “chilling” rapes, the 43-year-old, who is already serving a life sentence for the rape and murder of Meagher, will now not be eligible for parole until 2056.
His non-parole period, extended by eight years to 43 years by Judge Sue Pullen, is the longest imposed in Victoria in at least the past decade.
The Sentencing Advisory Council says Bayley’s previous 35-year non-parole period had been the longest in the state, but five other Victorians, including serial killer Peter Dupas, are serving life without parole.
Three juries found Bayley guilty earlier this year of the violent rape of a woman he imprisoned in his car in 2000, and of raping two women in 2012, months before he killed 29-year-old Louth woman Ms Meagher, while he was on parole.
Judge Pullen yesterday sentenced Bayley to 18 years for these three attacks, to be served concurrently with the life sentence, and extended his non-parole period.
She acknowledged Supreme Court Justice Geoffrey Nettle’s comments, in sentencing him for Ms Meagher’s murder, that Bayley would likely die in jail.
Judge Pullen said Bayley showed no remorse for any of the attacks.
She also said courts had been concerned about Bayley’s prospects of reoffending since the early 1990s.
“Your repeated sexual offending indicates very little hope of your eventual rehabilitation... and provides little to offer the faintest glimmer of hope,” she said.
Bayley has been convicted of raping 10 women and Judge Pullen said it was clear the lives of his three latest victims had been significantly impacted. He chose vulnerable women, including sex workers and women walking alone at night.
“Each in their own way was easy prey, and you... were an experienced hunter,” she said. “Once each of these victims was in your sight, their fates were sealed.”
Bayley, dressed all in black and flanked by four security guards, didn’t say anything as Judge Pullen handed down the sentence.
He was returned to the Melbourne Assessment Prison, where it is likely he will remain in protective custody for the foreseeable future because of perceived threats against him by other inmates, Judge Pullen said.
Jill’s husband Tom said: “I am the first one who wants to see [Bayley] vilified and long may he be one of Australia’s most hated people, but it only does any good if this example highlights rather than obscures the social issues that surround men’s violence against women.”
