September 29th 2024.
Three judges from the appeal court are preparing to announce their decision regarding the punishment given to the man who kidnapped four-year-old Cleo Smith from her family's tent at a remote campsite in Western Australia. The man in question, Terence Darrell Kelly, had appealed against his sentence of 13 and a half years in jail for snatching the young girl while her parents were sleeping at the Blowholes campsite, located 70km north of Carnarvon. The incident took place on October 16th, 2021, and Cleo was eventually found by the police on November 3rd, after being missing for 18 days.
The news of Cleo's kidnapping had made headlines all over the world and sparked one of the biggest police searches in Western Australia's history. The sentencing of Kelly by Chief Judge Julie Wager in April 2023 had described the situation as causing "immeasurable" fear, distress, and trauma to Cleo and her parents. The judge also noted that being alone for 18 days, without any contact or explanation, and with no access to the outside world, would have been a traumatic experience for the young girl.
According to the sentence given by Judge Wager, Kelly, who had pleaded guilty to taking Cleo, could be eligible for parole after serving 11 years and six months. However, in February, Kelly's lawyers had argued in the WA Court of Appeal that the punishment given was excessively severe. They disputed Judge Wager's statement that Kelly was heavily influenced by methamphetamine when he had kidnapped Cleo. The lawyers also argued that the sentence did not consider the weight of Kelly's troubled and traumatic childhood and his mental impairment.
The decision on the appeal is expected to be announced today. This case has garnered a lot of attention, and people can stay updated on the latest developments by following our WhatsApp channel. We provide breaking news, updates on celebrities and sports, without any comments or algorithms, ensuring the privacy of our subscribers.
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