UNREPENTANT AUSTRALIAN GRANNY-KILLER TREATED WITH KID GLOVES

A brutal young granny-killer has been allowed to leave a youth jail at least 85 times, including trips to visit family, to a VicRoads office for a learner's driving permit, and to see a dentist. A one-hour lunch with his stepfather and a visit to his grandmother were among at least five visits to his family. Documents also reveal a proposal to transfer the youth to a minimum-security forest camp for youths. The Acheron camp is near Buxton, northeast of Melbourne.

The documents, dated December, propose that the youth be allowed leave to visit Acheron "to prepare for a possible permanent transfer there". The proposal is believed to have been put on hold after inquiries by the Herald Sun , but the youth is believed to have visited the camp. It was also proposed that he be allowed to leave detention at the Malmsbury Juvenile Justice Centre to have driving lessons in the community. It is believed that most of that was to take part in a program for young sex offenders.

The young man, now 21, and another youth pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of great-grandmother Marie Greening Zidan. Mrs Greening Zidan's daughter, Janine Greening, attacked the leave program yesterday, and insisted that the family and the public should be consulted about any proposal to move the youth to Acheron. "It's like a reward," she said. "We know they should have got a longer sentence and they didn't, and they never got to see jail, so they have had a very soft sentence." "I think he should never have been allowed out on leave," Ms Greening said. "If he is out on leave, the family and the public should know. "He's a sex offender and he's a killer. "The sentence was insulting enough, but to do this is more insulting. Words can't describe it."

Crime Victims Support Association president Noel McNamara said the program was a slap in the face for the victims. "This Club Med sort of treatment by the Department of Human Services is totally unacceptable and quite outrageous," Mr McNamara said.

A source said the youth was receiving special treatment at Malmsbury. "I reckon it's unfair," he said. "I don't know why he's getting this. "Other clients do their time. They only get (leave) three or four months before parole. "Why is he getting it so early? It makes me sick."

A DHS spokesman said he could not discuss individual sentence management for security and privacy reasons. A government spokeswoman said the way young offenders were managed in the juvenile justice system was a matter for DHS. "The Bracks Government understands the juvenile justice system offers the best chance possible for rehabilitation of young offenders," the spokeswoman said. "However, community safety is also important. We expect DHS to ensure the community is in no way at risk as part of rehabilitation plans for young offenders."

Mrs Greening Zidan, 73, a frail invalid pensioner who looked after her disabled son, Peter, full-time, was sexually assaulted, beaten about the head and strangled in her Fortescue Ave, Seaford, home on October 15, 2000. The young killers, then aged 15 and 16, stole $10-$15 in loose change. Each was sentenced as an "aider and abettor".

The Court of Appeal, which increased the original jail sentences for both youths to a maximum of nine years, with minimum terms of six years, called the crime one of the most serious manslaughter cases it had seen. The Director of Public Prosecutions appeal called the original sentences manifestly inadequate.

The youth at Malmsbury, who claimed he was in the house when Mrs Greening Zidan died but not in her room, is eligible for parole in October. Because of his age at the time of the offence, he cannot be named or identified. Documents from Malmsbury supporting a proposed transfer to Acheron, seen by the Herald Sun, show that up to early December the youth went on 85 escorted leaves. They have become more frequent in the past year, and on many occasions he has been escorted by one staff member. The youth has also visited a dentist in Woodend, a psychologist in Bendigo, relatives on the Mornington Peninsula, and the VicRoads office in Kyneton. The documents state he was enrolled for the theoretical component of his learner's permit. A proposal was made that he attend driving lessons in the community. The documents state that the plan was still awaiting approval. It is believed he has visited Acheron and stayed the night there.

A report states it has recently become apparent he is struggling with his environment in a secure unit at Malsmbury. It states he conducts himself in a mostly mature manner in the unit. But the report adds that because of his high profile, there would be difficulties moving him to an open-site unit at Malmsbury, where he is continually abused and threatened if he walks across the centre. "Due to these issues, and in the interested of effect (sic) and timely case management, it is felt that the planned change of environment (Acheron) would benefit (him) greatly and see him through to his parole date without further incident."

In January 2002, the pair tormented Mrs Greening Zidan's family with a prank phone call from jail, singing a crude ditty that was recorded on Janine Greening's answering machine.

Report here



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