Robert Hughes Parole Decision Reserved

27 May 2022

The State Parole Authority (SPA) has reserved its decision following a public parole hearing for Robert Hughes today.

SPA Chairman, David Frearson SC, indicated he would deliver the Authority’s decision in a week.

The hearing was told Community Corrections does not recommend release to parole of the inmate and a Commissioner’s Submission has not been made in the matter.

A Community Corrections report stated Hughes has consistently been assessed as having a low, or below average risk of committing a further sexual offence, and he therefore remains ineligible for any sex offender programs while in custody.

Judge Frearson noted: “There is nothing available for him in jail.” Hughes has continually categorically denied his offending and maintains his victims made false allegations for financial gain.

A CSNSW psychologist, who conducted a recent assessment of his risk of sexually reoffending, gave evidence to the hearing that she recommended Hughes, on release from custody, engage with a forensic or clinical psychologist with expertise in working with convicted sexual offenders who deny their crimes.

The hearing was told Hughes and his wife who supports him in his innocence have given undertakings to seek treatment once he returns to the UK.

If he is granted parole, Hughes, who renounced his Australian citizenship and his residency visa still cancelled, will be deported immediately to the United Kingdom to live with his wife