‘Witch’ sex offender set to be freed
Admitted sex offender and witch Robin Angus Fletcher has been warned not to repeat correspondence apparently justifying his criminal behaviour as he begins five years of state supervision.
Fletcher was jailed in 1998 for sex offences against two teenage girls, who were beaten and bound after being subjected to what were described in court as “mind-altering techniques”.
He claimed to be a member of the Wiccan faith, and to have pagan childhood influences.
Yesterday in the Supreme Court, Justice Bill Gillard made orders endorsing Fletcher’s supervision and providing for a review within three years.
Fletcher, 49, is to be freed on June 12 after serving eight years in prison for the offences against the two 15-year-olds. He was jailed in 1998 for 10 years, with an eight-year minimum.
Justice Gillard said parole was revoked for Fletcher after letters he wrote to a contact in the West African country of Ghana were intercepted at Ararat prison. The Justice said the letters advocated activities that could be crimes in Victoria.
Justice Gillard said Fletcher’s actions showed a man who believed his religious views permitted his behaviour.
Outside court, Fletcher’s solicitor, Richard Oakley, said psychiatrists and psychologists had found no evidence that Fletcher was a pedophile. “He is now halfway through a law degree and it is his intention to abide by the law in the future,” he said.
Marian Dalton, Victorian co-ordinator for the Pagan Awareness Network Incorporated, said Fletcher was a predator who tried to justify his actions through religion.
In 1998, Fletcher pleaded guilty to two counts of committing an indecent act with one of the girls, one each of committing an indecent act with and sexually penetrating the other girl, one count of child prostitution, and one of attempting to pervert the course of justice.
It was alleged Fletcher told one of the girls that she was a “chosen one” according to a Celtic prophesy, and would be destroyed by gods if she did not obey his demands.
David Grace, QC, for the Department of Justice, yesterday told Justice Gillard it was alleged there was a high degree of probability Fletcher would commit an at least one of 41 nominated offences against a child if released without supervision.
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