WA's worst serial sex predator Dennis McKenna due for release next month as court weighs high-risk order

Dennis John McKenna was convicted of the systemic abuse of almost 30 boys at St Andrew's Hostel in Katanning, where he worked between 1957 and 1990, including as warden from 1976. He is serving his second jail term for molesting students, a sentence that ends on November 17, and has reportedly been planning volunteer work upon his release.

Over the past year, multiple court hearings have been held to determine whether McKenna should be deemed a High Risk Serious Offender, a ruling that would make his return to the community less about his freedom and more about ensuring the protection of the public if he reoffends.

On Friday, the Supreme Court of WA heard from the victim engagement unit, which has spoken to 26 of McKenna's 29 abuse victims about exclusion zones that would prohibit him from going anywhere near where they live.

Prosecutor Brett Tooker told Justice Marcus Solomon it was imperative that McKenna be deemed a high-risk offender because he was "at risk" of "committing an offence against a male child".

The hearings will determine whether his release next month comes with supervision and exclusion zones aimed at protecting the community.

Analysis

Why This Matters

McKenna's release will put a man the state says is at risk of offending against a male child back into the community, with the level of supervision around him still unresolved.
The High Risk Serious Offender ruling will decide whether he leaves prison under monitoring and exclusion zones or without those constraints.
The case highlights how the justice system manages offenders whose sentences expire even when authorities assess them as likely to reoffend.

Background

Western Australia has a legislative scheme for High Risk Serious Offenders that allows the state to seek supervision orders, and in the most serious cases continued detention, after a prison sentence ends. The scheme applies to offenders assessed as posing an unacceptable risk of committing another serious offence. McKenna's case has been before the Supreme Court over the past year to determine whether he meets that threshold before his sentence expires on November 17.

Key Perspectives

WA prosecutors: The state argues McKenna remains a danger and needs close monitoring. Prosecutor Brett Tooker told the court it was imperative he be declared a high-risk offender because he is "at risk" of "committing an offence against a male child". Victims: The victim engagement unit has consulted 26 of McKenna's 29 abuse victims about exclusion zones, reflecting their interest in being protected from any contact with him after his release. Skeptics: Concerns about high-risk offender schemes often centre on whether supervision orders can reliably prevent reoffending once an offender is back in the community.

What to Watch

The Supreme Court's decision on whether McKenna is declared a High Risk Serious Offender.
November 17, the date his current sentence ends and he is due to leave prison.
Whether the court imposes exclusion zones and other conditions, and how his reported plans for volunteer work are factored into any supervision regime.

Analysis

Why This Matters

Background

Key Perspectives

What to Watch

Sources