Latest news with #MichaelPurse
ABC News
23-07-2025
- ABC News
Gap to close in SA's prison placement rules after plea from murder victim's family
A gap in South Australia's prison placement guidelines is set to close after murder victim Michael Purse's family pushed for change after learning one of his killers had been moved to a low-security facility. Michael's father Jeffrey Purse previously told the media of his devastation at learning that Edwin James Hinrichsen, who was convicted of his son's manslaughter in 2023, had been moved from Yatala Labour Prison to Cadell Training Centre in the state's Riverland. Hinrichsen was sentenced beside David Graham Young — both of whom pleaded guilty to manslaughter and were subsequently ordered to serve more than 11 years behind bars. A third man, Mark-Bry Andrew Leedham, was found guilty of murdering the 32-year-old and sentenced earlier this year to life imprisonment with a non-parole period of 28 years — including four years remaining on an earlier jail term. Michael was killed in February 2019 at a unit in Kilburn, in Adelaide's northern suburbs, after he went missing from the Adelaide CBD. His remains have never been found. Mr Purse told the ABC on Wednesday he and his family were "quite stunned" when they learned that Hinrichsen was serving the remainder of his sentence at a low-security prison farm. Upon hearing the news, which was around the same time Leedham was sentenced, Mr Purse spoke to the media, contacted authorities and wrote a letter to the Minister for Correctional Services Emily Bourke. Hinrichsen was subsequently moved to a medium-security facility and a review into his placement is now underway. "The results of that enquiry found that there are gaps in their guidelines and SOPs [Standard Operating Procedures], and therefore, there was no specific exclusions of persons like Hinrichsen to be not admitted into low-security facilities," Mr Purse said on Wednesday. Minister Bourke said she was "grateful to Jeffrey for sharing his story… and advocating for improvements in our justice system". "We listened to his feedback and brought Jeffrey and the department together, enabling an outcome where all recommendations put forward by the review process will be implemented," she said. "Importantly, this includes giving a stronger victim perspective in the case management of serious offenders. "Community safety is paramount and outcomes of this review will strengthen processes in place, with greater oversight on placement decisions made." Mr Purse said he and his family were "very pleased with the result" and compared it to "a bit of a David versus Goliath battle". A spokesperson from the Department for Correctional Services said it took "concerns of victims very seriously" and review panel "put forward recommendations which will be implemented". "These changes will help ensure the department has a stronger victim focus relating to the case management of serious offenders," it said. "Offenders in this category will have a higher degree of oversight prior to any transfer decision made."
ABC News
22-05-2025
- ABC News
Mark-Bry Leedham sentenced to life in prison for murder of Michael Purse
The family of a murder victim has welcomed a life sentence imposed on one of his killers, while expressing outrage that a different man previously convicted over his death has been moved to a low-security facility. Michael Jeffrey Purse, 32, died in February 2019 in Kilburn, in Adelaide's northern suburbs, and his remains have never been found. Two men, David Graham Young and Edwin James Hinrichsen, were sentenced in November 2023 to more than 11 years behind bars after pleading guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter. A third man, Mark-Bry Andrew Leedham, was found guilty of murder late last year and was sentenced on Thursday to life imprisonment with a non-parole period of 28 years — including four years remaining on an earlier jail term. Speaking outside of court on Thursday, Mr Purse's father, Jeffrey Purse, said while he was relieved at Leedham's sentence, he was angered that Hinrichsen had been moved earlier this year from Yatala Labor Prison to the low-security Cadell Training Centre in the state's Riverland. Mr Purse said he wrote a letter to Correctional Services Minister, Emily Bourke, and contacted the state's sentencing management unit. "I asked for a review of the guidelines of placing a person like this in such a low-security facility and that was brushed to the side," he said. A letter from the department's sentencing management unit to Mr Purse, which has been viewed by the ABC, said the decision was made to move Hinrichsen following a review. "Prison placements are regularly reviewed during a prisoner's time in custody. Specifically, I can confirm prisoner Hinrichsen's placement was formally reviewed in February 2025, and following your email, I requested that SMU undertake an additional review," the letter reads. "The outcome of the recent review is that his placement at Cadell Training Centre is appropriate within the South Australian system." Ms Bourke declined to comment and referred the matter to the Department for Correctional Services, which has been contacted for comment. Meanwhile, Mr Purse said the people of South Australia "are certainly going to be safer" after Mark-Bry Leedham — who continues to deny his involvement in the murder of his son — was sentenced to life in prison. "He's been a bit of a clown all this time and now we've gotten the last laugh," he said. "The people of South Australia are certainly going to be safer, and he does not deserve to be in society." In sentencing Leedham, Auxiliary Justice Kevin Nicholson condemned Leedham's" lack of insight" into his offending. "It shows a profound failure to take responsibility for your actions," he said. "You say that you have shown no remorse, and provided no cooperation, because you have been convicted on an offence that you did not commit." He said he found that Mr Purse's murder does not fit "within the least category of seriousness for this offence" and that a non-parole period of more than 20 years is appropriate. "It involved appalling acts of violence and complete disregard for human life, and a complete disregard for Michael Purse's life," he said. "Michael's death, the way it came about, and the fact that Michael's remains have never been recovered, have had a shattering effect on Michael's family and loved ones." Leedham, who has lodged an appeal against his conviction, is not eligible for parole until 2050.
