After serving nearly 25 years, Australia's youngest convicted murderer, referred to as SLD, has been released from prison under strict supervision. SLD was 13 years old in 2001 when he abducted and fatally stabbed his three-year-old neighbor, Courtney Morley-Clarke, on the New South Wales Central Coast.
His 20-year sentence expired in 2021, but concerns about his maturity and institutionalization led to extended detention orders. In 2023, during a supervised release, SLD reportedly approached approximately 200 women over 95 days, including mothers with young children, resulting in his return to custody.
On March 14, 2025, the New South Wales Supreme Court dismissed an application to extend his detention, allowing his release under a five-year extended supervision order. This order mandates adherence to a predetermined schedule, restrictions on communication methods, and continuous electronic monitoring.
Psychiatrists have diagnosed SLD with a severe personality disorder, noting traits of self-centeredness and lack of empathy. Despite these concerns, the court determined that with stringent supervision, the risk to the community could be managed.
SLD will reside in a supervised facility, with his movements and interactions closely monitored to ensure public safety.
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