https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/tess-knight-tells-of-terror-while-beg...The shattered mother of schoolgirl Samantha Knight, killed by serial paedophile Michael Guider, today told of the 12,000 days of sheer “desolation, terror and anxiety” she has suffered since he abducted, drugged, and molested her daughter 33 years ago.
Tess Knight begged Supreme Court judge Richard Button not to release the former gardener, whose sentence for manslaughter expired on June 6 after he served 17 years behind bars for the manslaughter of the nine-year-old, telling the judge: “The hurt never goes away.”
Guider, 68, is currently on an interim detention order to remain in Long Bay jail until August 28 and the judge decides whether he should be held behind bars on a continuing detention order.
NSW Attorney-General Mark Speakman is seeking to stop his release for another 12 months and to have him supervised for another five years when he is eventually let out.
Her voice cracking with emotion, Ms Knight told a packed courtroom: “For years I tried to remain in control in case they found Samantha and she needed me, but if I appeared that way, it was a facade.
“I cannot find the words to describe the desolation, terror and anxiety I suffered — Guider could have ended this fear at any time and come forward.
“He has chosen never to reveal what he has done to Samantha or with her body,” she said, tears cascading down her face as she read through her 13-page victim impact statement.
“I live with flashbacks of child pornography, his flaccid penis beside naked bodies of children — this is how I tried to help find my daughter.
“Because of the lack of detail my mind tries to fill in the gaps.
“When I understood she was probably dead, I felt strangely exhilarated, as if I was bringing Samantha home — but he never gave any details.
“I have imagined thousands of scenarios — was she scared straight away, did he have a car, was it a long drive, did she call out for me, did she say ‘I want my mummy?’”
This man has been a dangerous, serious sexual predator of children, whatever remorse he may now show, it was not enough to change his behaviour in the past and it is not enough for the future — please do not release this man into the community.”
Samantha night vanished from her beachside Bondi unit in 1986.
Guider, who has never expressed any remorse for killing Samantha, was charged with her murder in 2001 but pleaded guilty to manslaughter under the weight of evidence including a confession to his artist brother Tim.
He told police in 2003 he had buried Samantha in a garden at the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron where he was working in 1986.
Forensic psychiatrist Jonathan Adams told the court his July assessment of Guider revealed he was at high risk of future sexual offending pre and peripubescent boys and girls and moderate risk of future violent sexual offending.
“He is at risk of offending in a sexual manner,” he told the court.
“He has images of children in his cell, it doesn’t tell us anything conclusive, it’s more important to know did Mr Guider know that sort of behaviour was forbidden?
“He says he hasn’t had a sexual fantasy since before he was jailed (in 1996) … it’s improbable.
“He does not offend in exactly the same way, he offends both sober and when he has consumed alcohol … he told me even while having adult relationships”
Guider attacked a string of children aged between two and 15. He has completed 55 therapeutic maintenance programs in jail.
A younger Michael Guider.
A younger Michael Guider.
The court heard he has not indicted a willingness to take anti libidinal drugs to reduce his sex drive, if released, because they may contraindicate his heart medications.
Dr Adams said it was “a concern” an extended supervision order (ESO) would not prevent him from reoffending but believed he could be managed in a supportive community setting and would need long-term treatment.
“There is no guarantee that if Mr Guider complies with anti libidinal medication … it would reduce his risk of reoffending, it might,” Mr Adams said.
“Mr Guider needs long term treatment and risk management, more than five years.”
Psychiatrist Jenny Howell said it was a concern Guider has never applied for parole and agreed he should be monitored through a five-year extended supervision order if released.
“He does not deny past sexual thoughts of predominantly female children.
“He is a sexual deviant, if he were to be under in an ESO, it would require a substantial ESO that would monitor changes,” she said.
“He talks about having a low interest in sexual activity now and has no ejaculation,” she told the court.
“He says he does not engage in sexual fantasies of children now.”
Waiving her anonymity, victim Lisa Giles, 43, urged judge Button not to release the convicted child sex abuser from jail, revealing the former family friend systematically abused her when she was five.
Holding her mother’s hand in the witness box, a tearful Mrs Giles, 43, told a packed court Guider “loved to see the innocence of a child taken on their faces.”
“He has no empathy, he to driven always by the desire to fulfil the physical urge — we were not always sedated, sometimes we were awake and aware”.
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