Keep him locked up

VICIOUS CRIME: Plea from murder victim’s sister

THE sister of murder victim Dean Allan Allie has called for the Parole Board to keep “psychopathic” killer Jamie John Curtis behind bars for the rest of his life, saying he “should come out of there in a box”.

In 1986, Curtis led a vicious rampage across Hobart where he abducted three people including Dean Allie, who was bashed, tortured and stabbed to death.

Mr Allie’s fiancee, Alicia*, was also abducted, gang raped and tortured with a chainsaw but managed to survive.

At the time of his arrest, Curtis went by multiple names, including David Watson, Jamie Curtis and Gordon Curtis, and there were existing warrants out for his arrest in South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria.

Yesterday the Mercury published his gang rape victim’s terrifying account of the 12hour ordeal she endured and her belief that Curtis should remain behind bars indefinitely.

“Jamie Curtis is a monster. I know this better than anyone else alive,” said Alicia.

“How many more chances does he get?”

Dean Allie’s sister, Carol Allie, has also echoed Alicia’s concerns.

“Curtis should come out of there in a box. He is a danger to the community.

“The only thing that will give us some peace will be if they lock Curtis up and put on his file ‘never to be released’.”

Under existing legislation, repeat offenders who are deemed to pose a threat to the community can be classified as a “dangerous criminal” which ensures they are kept behind bars indefinitely.

To date only nine offenders have ever been classified as a dangerous criminal in Tasmania.

However, the existing classification system has come under criticism from the current Government, due to the “inflexible” requirement that only the original sentencing judge can make the order.

In instances where that judge is now deceased or retired, this then becomes impossible.

“Current arrangements are generally considered to be outdated, inflexible and the Government believes there is a need for them to be improved,” said Attorney-General Elise Archer.

“The Government has committed to introducing draft legislation by March 2020.”

Curtis was originally sentenced by Justice William Cox who described him at the time as a “danger to society”.

“It is difficult to imagine a more horrific display of aggressive contempt for the rights and sensibilities of your fellow human beings,” he said, adding that Curtis had displayed “no remorse or pity” during the ordeal.

Cox retired from the Supreme Court in December 2004 to become Governor of Tasmania, a post he held until 2008.

*Victim gag laws in Tasmania prevent the Mercury publishing the real name of “Alicia”.