September 9th 2024.
Joanne Tulip's life was tragically cut short after she was brutally attacked and killed by Steven Ling, a farm labourer, 27 years ago. Now, Ling, who was convicted of raping and stabbing Ms Tulip 60 times, has been recommended for release from prison after his fifth parole hearing.
The news has caused outrage, with Joanne's mother calling the parole board's decision a farce. When Ling was initially sentenced to life in prison back in 1998, the judge described him as being motivated by a desire for sadism. The judge also made it clear that Ling would never be released as long as he posed a danger to women.
Despite being given a minimum term of 20 years, Ling's sentence was reduced to 18 years by the High Court. However, he is not considered a convicted sex offender, as the charge of rape was left on file during his original trial. Despite this, the Parole Board stated that Ling has always admitted to raping Joanne.
In July, two psychologists recommended Ling's release from prison, citing his enduring feelings of shame and guilt for his "monstrous" past. This recommendation has been met with criticism, particularly from Joanne's mother, who believes the parole process is a farce after the decision to allow Ling to give evidence in private.
The Parole Board's published decision stated that they were satisfied that imprisonment was no longer necessary for the protection of the public. However, Ling's release comes with strict conditions, including informing the authorities of any relationships he develops, being monitored, and staying away from Joanne's family.
The two psychologists, referred to only as A and B, stated that Ling's risk is now manageable in the community, and he no longer needs to be detained for the protection of the public. They also discussed the factors that led to Ling's attack on Joanne, including his preoccupation with sex and negative attitudes towards women.
When asked if Ling understood the gravity of his crime, psychologist A stated that Ling often discusses it, which can be helpful in preventing unhealthy thoughts. Psychologist B added that Ling refers to himself as a "monster" and struggles to come to terms with his actions.
Both psychologists agreed that there is no evidence of Ling having a lasting desire to inflict violence for sexual gratification. However, they explained that Ling's use of extreme violence in his attack was due to a combination of panic, desire to get away with the crime, and rage towards Joanne, women, and himself.
In the wake of this controversial decision, many are calling for a review of the parole process. To stay updated on this story and others, follow The Agency on Twitter and Facebook, and sign up for daily push alerts to receive the latest news directly to your device.
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