'The Postcard Bandit' could be paroled within weeks
The infamous robber and prison escapee Brenden James Abbott, known as the Postcard Bandit, could be paroled from jail in weeks.
Queensland's parole board will have to again consider whether to release Abbott.
Abbott, in January launched a challenge to the parole board's decision not to release him last year, claiming he'd been "squeaky clean" since 2005.
However, Brisbane Supreme Court Justice Jean Dalton set aside the parole board's decision on Wednesday, saying it had made an error and would have to reconsider Abbott's application.
Justice Dalton said there was no evidence to support the board's classification of Abbott as a high-risk prisoner.
However, she said she could not substitute the board's decision and adjourned the matter to allow Abbott time to consider whether he wanted to update his application.
Appearing at the hearing via videolink, Abbott indicated he wanted his bid for freedom dealt with as soon as possible.
"As you appreciate your honour, this has been going on for so long, you know, 180 days," he said, adding he wanted a decision within 28 days.
In January, Abbott had assured Justice Dalton he hadn't breached any custodial rules since 2005 and had the support of prison bosses.
Abbott, an inmate at the Woodford Correctional Centre, has served 17 years of a 25-year sentence for a number of armed robberies and escapes.
He was dubbed the "Postcard Bandit" for allegedly taunting police by sending postcards during his time on the run.
The case will return to court next week before the board reconsiders Abbott's parole bid.
NEVER BEFORE HEARD: Brenden Abbott was Australia's most wanted man dubbed the Postcard Bandit and the two-time prison escapee and serial armed robber who taunted police.
Now, almost two decades after Abbott and four inmates broke out of a Wacol Jail, 7 News can play audio recordings that Abbott's ex-girlfriend and Mark Fritz, a former prison guard, claim captures the daring escape under gunfire on Melbourne Cup night in 1997.
As a court considers Abbott's latest bid for freedom his ex-girlfriend, who does not want to be named, has revealed to 7 News why she fears for her life.
Abbott's ex and along with Mr Fritz, who was working that shift, believe the audio of the great escape was recorded on the inside by another inmate who knew the plan.
Abbott, who was the mastermind and Houdini of jails, was in cell 12 at Wacol Jail.
The others, including three convicted murderers, in cells nearby.
A former prisoner armed with a high powered gun was waiting on the outside to help.
‘They're all out. They're all out. Awesome,” can be heard on the audio.
"Just about to go over the razor fence it's about five foot high and about five foot wide.”
Bolt cutters were thrown over and the prisoners started slicing their way through the fences.
Brendon Berichon, the man with the gun and getaway car, opened fire to keep authorities at bay that night.
An alarm was activated and prison officers realised what was happening and ran towards the escapees. A perimeter car was also shot at.
Abbott left a sticker of a smiling face above his bed for the guards to find.
The guards could be heard saying: "They've all gone. They've gone. He's got out. They're gone.”
There's been speculation a rival prison gang manufactured the recording but Mr Fritz was one of the prison guards who was shot at that night.
He believes the audio of the escape is real.
He said: “I'll never forget that gunfire. When I heard them again I was fairly confident that it was authentic because I will never forget them, even after 19 years.”
Abbott's former partner of 17 years agrees.
"I don't believe there has ever been a recording made like that from inside a maximum security prison of an escape in Australia or even overseas, it's amazing,” she said.
Abbott was captured six months later and sentenced to almost 25 years.
Previously, in 1989, he broke out of a WA jail in a prison guard outfit he had made.
It was during that time on the run he got the name the Postcard Bandit.
For years he taunted police and terrorised bank tellers across the country.
“He's intelligent, I'd go as far as saying he's highly intelligent, he just didn't like being locked up.
"He loves the notoriety, he would even ring me and say there's supposed to be something in the paper about me today," ” his ex added.
But she claims it was this phone conversation that soured their relationship.
In May last year, she claims she received a call on a private number.
The person on the other end hung up.
Suspecting it was Abbott she questioned him on the phone the next day and he got angry.
"Right, I told you I didn't f* call you. And you go on and on and interrogate me like I'm f***ing lying to ya. You know what I mean? Sometimes I'm sick of your s***. The way you carry on. It really f**** wears me," he said.
She ended the call and the relationship and now Abbott's fifth parole application is being reviewed.
She wrote to the President of the Parole Board claiming if released he will be engaging in further criminal activity, has firearms hidden and will abscond overseas at the first opportunity.
She was told Abbott would never see the confidential letter but now she believes he has had access to it while in Woodford Prison.
"I'm a dead woman walking," she told 7 News.
She now wants a new life and a new identity so Abbott and his associates can't track her down.
"He's got a list up in his head of who he wants to get even with and I'm sure after this episode I am going to be top of that list.”
