Perth murderer David Meehan's bid for freedom rejected

PERTH MURDERER DAVID MEEHAN'S BID FOR FREEDOM REJECTED

Perth man convicted of murder, David Meehan, has unsuccessfully attempted to gain legal clearance for his early release from prison.

The offender, who was sentenced in 2007 after brutally attacking a stranger, James Kerr, in Perth’s South Inch park, was ordered to serve a minimum of 16 years for his crime.

Kerr died later in hospital from his injuries.

Meehan’s bid for judicial review, which aimed to challenge his ongoing imprisonment, was dismissed.

Lady Dorrian, a senior judge, emphasized that Meehan has developed a drug addiction while in incarceration and accumulated additional misconduct reports, indicating he remains a threat to public safety.

She pointed out that his history includes convictions for substance misuse and he continues to pose a medium risk of causing serious harm, especially considering he failed to demonstrate a sustained period of successful community testing.

The court found no evidence suggesting he is unlikely to reoffend, and thus his release was denied.

The high court had previously heard details about the violent act, which was sparked by homophobic motives, where Meehan and accomplice Mark Soutar attacked James Kerr after an altercation in the park, leading to Kerr’s death.

Soutar received a 12-year extended sentence, while Meehan’s attempt at parole was thwarted two days after his minimum term expired in April 2021, with the court ruling he remains a danger to society.