Advertisement

'You'll die in jail': Child killer handed record sentence

An Adelaide judge has told the teacher who abducted and murdered schoolgirl Louise Bell “you’ll die in jail”.

Two-time child killer, Dieter Pfennig, will now spend a record 60 years behind bars for the horrendous crimes that shocked the state.

Pfennig was sentenced to another 35 years in jail, on top of the 25 he’s already served for killing Michael Black and raping another boy.

Pfennig, who is already unwell, will be 103 before he can even apply for release. Source: 7 News
Pfennig, who is already unwell, will be 103 before he can even apply for release. Source: 7 News
Louise Bell was just a little girl when her life was cruelly taken away by Pfennig. Source: 7 News
Louise Bell was just a little girl when her life was cruelly taken away by Pfennig. Source: 7 News

“It just shows that you won’t get away with terrible things that are done,” Louise Bell’s former teacher told 7 News.

The ruling is now South Australia’s longest non-parole period and it means the child-murderer will need to reach the age of 103 before he can even apply for release.

“This was a most evil crime and its evil is not in any way diminished by the passage of time,” Justice Michael David said.

Pfennig is already serving a sentence for the murder of Michael Black.
Pfennig is already serving a sentence for the murder of Michael Black.
Louise Bell's heartbroken father said the conviction was a welcome result but it would not bring back his little girl.
Louise Bell's heartbroken father said the conviction was a welcome result but it would not bring back his little girl.

“We’re just glad that it’s finished now and that’s the end of it, (It will) be good for the family,” Detective Sergeant Anthony Van Der Stelt said outside the Adelaide Supreme Court.

Pfennig is determined to appeal against his conviction, as those hurt by his crimes plead for the 68-year-old to reveal where his victim’s bodies lie.

“He can’t tell your honour where the body is, he maintains he’s not guilty,” Pfennig’s defence attorney Grant Algie told the court.