In 1990, a murderer serving 18 years escaped from a New South Wales prison to find his girlfriend.
At age 18, Daniel Leslie Miles murdered 16-year-old Donna Newland. He was sentenced to 18 years at John Morony Correctional Centre.
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Prior to his escape, prison staff spoke highly of his capacity, dependability, and commitment. He even developed into an accomplished instrumentalist, singer and songwriter.
Where did the escaped murderer go?
Having heard Miles’ music, 29-year-old Yolande Michael became interested in reaching out to him, and a loving relationship developed.
They discussed moving interstate with Ms Michael’s two children and starting a new life. Miles told Yolande he planned to escape.
In 1999, Miles escaped from custody during a work release program. Crime Insiders: Judgements host Dan Mullins said by the time he got to Ms Michael’s house, it was early morning.
“He said that he knocked on several windows of the house, only to hear Ms Michael demanding that he leave or she would call the police,” Mullins said.
“He looked through a curtain on one of the windows to see a man sitting next to Ms Michael on a bed,” he said.
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The escaped murderer claimed that he killed Yolande because he believed he had turned his back on his achievements in prison for nothing.
But in truth, the Crown case found Yolande hadn’t contacted Miles for months.
He escaped because he feared for the future of the relationship and wanted to find out whether she was with another man.
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