Courtney Morley-Clarke’s murderer, SLD, will be released from prison despite experts warning there’s a high chance he could commit violent sexual crimes

A psychopath who was Australia’s youngest-ever murderer when he murdered an innocent three-year-old girl will be released from prison despite expert warnings that he is likely to commit violent offenses again.

In one of the most shocking cases in Australian history, the now 36-year-old man, known only as SLD, walked out of his adoptive home onto the street to murder toddler Courtney Morley-Clarke when he was just 13 years old.

Judge Stephen Campbell made the difficult ruling last Friday that SLD should be released from prison and placed under an extended surveillance order (ESO).

The court heard that SLD had a very difficult childhood.

One of three children, he was abused by his junkie mother before entering the foster system at just two years old.

Despite being a problem child, he was adopted at the age of four by a family in the small town of Point Clare on the Central Coast, NSW.

The newfound stability, however, did little to change the boy’s “deranged” nature.

By the time he reached his teens, a psychiatrist was convinced he would never become a functioning social adult.

Now we know they were right.

Three-year-old Courtney Morley-Clarke was sleeping in her home when the SLD ripped her from her bed in January 2001.

Courtney’s body was discovered the next morning hidden in a patch of tall grass. She had been stabbed in the heart and left wearing only her diaper.

SLD, aged 13 years and 10 months, happily took credit for his heinous crime.

The tragedy broke hearts across Australia, but the court was at a loss as to what to do with a young boy who committed such a vicious murder.

For sentencing advice, Judge James Wood looked at the British case of toddler James Bulger who was tortured and killed by two 10-year-old boys.

SLD was sentenced to twenty years behind bars.

His sentence expired in 2021, but he was deemed too dangerous to be released. The Weekend Australia reports.

His possible freedom was reassessed last week, but this time the court-appointed expert favored an ESO over more jail time, noting there was little to no chance of SLD rehabilitation in prison.

Yet experts are also not convinced that freedom will rehabilitate the SLD.

Judge Stephen Campbell ruled last week that SLD will be released from prison, despite experts warning he is becoming obsessed with the idea of ​​losing his virginity and could become violent ‘where his will is denied’

SLD is a severe personality disorder with antisocial and psychopathic features.

His lack of empathy is further driven by an attitude of self-interest and equality.

The court heard evidence that SLD is obsessed with sexual fantasies and the idea of ​​losing his virginity.

His intense desire, coupled with his persistent antisocial state, which allowed him to “act without remorse,” have led to fears for the safety of the women around him.

Disturbingly, Judge Campbell ruled that SLD “might commit an offense in a circumstance where his will is denied” and “his offense may involve the use of a weapon.”

According to the ESO, the SLD will have to wear a GPS monitor and remain in sight at an offender support unit operated by Corrective Services at Long Bay Prison.

The strict surveillance orders are issued to offenders who are at risk of committing serious violent, sexual or terrorist crimes if left alone in the community.

Judge Campbell admitted that keeping the SLD under command would be “extremely challenging,” which has already proved true.

In his first months living in the support unit, SLD was caught violating his restrictions by accessing WhatsApp, YouTube, and the link-up app Tagged.

SLD will be overseen by an offender support unit run by Corrective Services at Long Bay Prison (above)

When confronted about his misconduct, he told the officer, “Listen ma’am, I will choose which conditions to meet and which are not important.”

Still, Judge Campbell urged people to remember “the general right of the SLD to liberty after the expiration of the sentence lawfully imposed upon it.”

SLD was back behind bars at the time of last week’s hearing, but was told he would be allowed back into the unit if he agrees to behave.

“I don’t know if the SLD agreed to this,” Judge Campbell said.