Big trouble in big house
CONVICTED killers Lionel and Nelson Patea are continuing their violent ways in jail by allegedly starting fights and standing over other prisoners.
Former Bandidos enforcer Lionel Patea is heading back to court accused of bashing a prison officer.
He pleaded guilty in 2017 to bludgeoning to death his former girlfriend Tara Brown with a fire hydrant cover after running her car off the road.
A year later he admitted being part of a group that beat pool builder Greg Dufty to death in the Gold Coast Hinterland and then dumped the body. His body has never been found. Lionel Patea pleaded guilty to murder and received another life sentence. He will not be eligible for parole until 2048.
Nelson Patea pleaded guilty to manslaughter for his part in Mr Dufty’s death.
Lionel Patea is serving his sentence in the Townsville Correctional Centre. It will be alleged that he “snapped” this year and started beating a highly trained prison officer. The officer suffered minor injuries.
Lawyer Campbell MacCallum, of Moloney MacCallum Abdelshahied Lawyers, said Lionel Patea planned to fight the charge. The case is headed to a hearing in September.
Lionel Patea has also been involved in a number of fights with other prisoners, reportedly as a reaction to the prospect of spending more than three decades behind bars.
Mr MacCallum claimed Lionel Patea was a target for other prisoners because of his size and reputation. He said it was the other prisoners starting the fights.
Lionel Patea was suddenly moved to Townsville last year because he was getting into too many fights. In July 2016, he was charged with grievous bodily harm for pouring boiling water over a prisoner he believed to be a paedophile. The outcome of this charge is unknown.
He also served a few months in solitary confinement in Arthur Gorrie Correctional Centre due to a series of run-ins with prison guards.
In March 2017, he converted to Islam in an effort to “rehabilitate” himself.
On the other side of the state, Nelson Patea has been causing as much trouble for prisoners while behind bars in Brisbane.
He was eligible for parole in January this year, but the parole board denied his application due to his poor behaviour. Sources said Nelson Patea had been starting fights and standing over other prisoners. The 22-year-old has been incarcerated for a majority of his adult life.
“I think he likes it there,” Mr MacCallum said.
The former talented rugby league player is planning to reapply to be released on parole.
Nelson Patea has already completed a number of courses and is undertaking prison work. But it is understood that until his behaviour improves he will not be released.
In December last year the parole board ruled Nelson Patea had done all he could to help police find Mr Dufty’s remains and was eligible for parole if he met the other criteria. A Queensland Corrective Services spokeswoman declined to comment on the management of individual prisoners.
She said it was “unfortunate” that some prisoners continued to display violent tendencies while in prison.
“We recognise that some prisoners pose a risk to the safety of our officers and other prisoners, and an individual risk assessment is carried out on every prisoner,” she said.
“Their behaviour is monitored and their management adjusted accordingly to maintain the safety and security of the centre.”
She said QCS worked closely with officers to “minimise risk”.