The grieving father of a murdered Adelaide man says he’s disgusted after one of his son’s killers was moved to the state’s lowest security prison less than two years into his sentence.
The revelation came after another man was jailed for more than two decades for his role in the brutal and sickening crime.
Mike Bry Leedham was today sentenced to a minimum of 24 years behind bars for the 2019 murder of Michael Purse.
“He has laughed at us for the last two and a half years in court and during sentencing submissions but today we got the last laugh,” Jeffrey Purse, Michael’s father, said.
However, the family has also expressed outrage after it was revealed that Edwin Hinrichsen, another of Michael’s killers, has been held at Cadell Training Centre, a low-security prison.
Hinrichsen, 40, pleaded guilty to manslaughter in 2023, admitting to his role in the death of Purse, whose body has never been recovered.
The court heard that Purse was bound, gagged, and subjected to a brutal assault, including being bashed and stabbed.
“It’s disgusting, the people of South Australia will be appalled,” Jeffrey Purse said.
“It defies our sensibilities … he’ll be getting hot chocolate and slippers, that’s what type of facility this is.”
Edwin Hinrichsen, another of Michael’s killers, has been held at Cadell Training Centre, a low-security prison.
“He was the one who jumped on Michael’s chest when he was bound, which was unprovoked,” he added.
Jeffrey has sent multiple letters demanding answers about Hinrichsen’s transfer.
The Department for Corrections in April told him a review was carried out in February and that Hinrichsen’s placement at Cadell is appropriate.
But late this afternoon, after enquiries by 9News, the Corrections Department’s chief executive requested another review and ordered that Hinrichsen be moved to a medium security facility in the meantime.
“If there is the slightest hint that this is to do with limits on capacity in our prisons, then the government has a lot to explain,” opposition spokesperson Josh Teague said.
The state government has said prison capacity did not play any role in the initial decision.
This article was produced with the assistance of 9ExPress.
