Adrian Bayley Gets Life For Rape And Murder Of Jill Meagher

Adrian Ernest Bayley has been sentenced to life in jail with a non-parole period of 35 years for the murder of Jill Meagher, and another 15 years on top of that for her rape.

Bayley showed no emotion as he received the sentence in the Victorian Supreme Court in Melbourne this morning. Prior to handing Bayley the sentencing, Justice Geoffrey Nettle discussed the psychiatric report that cited Bayley’s long history of violent sexual assaults and proven failure to rehabilitate has put him as a high risk of offending again. During the sentencing Justice Nettle said “Protection of the community is paramount” and told Bayley “the nature and gravity of your offending are nothing short that life imprisonment will suffice.”

Bayley was on parole when he snatched Ms Meagher, and prior to that he had served 11 years in prison for several violent sexual assaults and attempted sex attacks, including the rape of five sex workers in 2000. The case has sparked criticism of the justice system, and brought forward questions about the effectiveness of rehabilitation programs for incarcerated perpetrators of violent crimes.

Jill Meagher’s father addressed the press on the outcome of the case at 11am today. “Justice has now been done, police and prosecutors we thank you,” he said in a statement. “Jill was brutally raped and murdered and is never coming back.”

Via ABC News and up to the minute updates via Kerri Ritchie on Twitter.

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