A Queensland man serving a life sentence for the murder of Bundaberg schoolgirl Trinity Bates has admitted to writing disturbing child abuse stories while in prison.
Warning: This story contains content that may distress some readers.
Allyn John Slater, 35, pleaded guilty in the Brisbane District Court to making and possessing child exploitation material. This follows authorities discovering an 88-page handwritten notebook in his cell at Wolston Correctional Centre in October last year.
As reported by ABC News, the court heard the stories detailed violent and sexual abuse of children. The stories were additionally written in the first person.
At least 35 pages of the material were described as “graphic” and “depraved”.
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Crown prosecutor Michael Gawrych told the court the writings included accounts of abductions and the murder of someone attempting to intervene. He said the offending was “very serious”, especially given Slater’s history.
Slater was convicted in 2012 of abducting eight-year-old Trinity from her Bundaberg home in February 2010. He strangled her and left her body in a stormwater drain. He later pleaded guilty and was sentenced to life in prison.
The now 35-year-old became eligible to apply for parole in February this year. However, the court was told the discovery of the writings raises fresh concerns about his risk to the community.
Slater told police he did not know it was illegal to create such material. His defence barrister, Terry Morgans, said the notebook was for personal use only and ad not been distributed.
He also noted Slater’s early guilty plea and full cooperation with police.
Judge John Allen KC said the material was “sadistic” and “disturbing”, especially in light of Slater’s original offence.
“The material demonstrates a continuing perverted interest in sexual violence towards children and raises real concerns as to whether you continue to present a risk if released into the community,” Judge Allen said.
Slater was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment, to be served concurrently with his life term.
His parole eligibility has been deferred to August 2025.