Backpacker killer who was high on drugs when he threw a 19-year-old British tourist off a bridge in a botched robbery will walk free from jail TODAY
- Caroline Stuttle, from York, was killed in Bundaberg, Queensland in April 2002
- Stuttle, 19, was walking back to a caravan park when she was attacked by drifter
- Ian Previte had tried to snatch Stuttle’s bag when he threw her over the bridge
- Previte, 32, was found guilty of murdering Stuttle in 2004 and jailed for 15 years
- He is expected to be released on parole on Friday after serving his full sentence
A heroin addict who killed a British backpacker by tossing her from a bridge will be released from jail.
Caroline Stuttle, from York in north east England, was walking back to the caravan park she was staying at in Bundaberg, Queensland, when she was attacked by Ian Previte late at night on April 10, 2002.
Previte threw Caroline off a bridge after trying to snatch her bag in a botched robbery.
The 19-year-old’s body was at the bottom of the 10-metre Burnett River Bridge.
Previte, 32, was found guilty of murder in 2004 and jailed for 15 years.
He is expected to be released on parole on Friday after serving his full sentence, the Courier Mail reported.
Caroline Stuttle, from York, was walking back to the caravan park she was staying at in Bundaberg, Queensland, when she was attacked by Ian Previte late at night on April 10 in 2002
Previte (pictured) threw Caroline off a bridge after trying to snatch her bag in a botched robbery
Caroline’s brother Richard Stuttle said Previte’s release was harder on the family than they had thought it would be.
‘We knew this day would come, his life sentence is over but ours will last forever.
‘The release of the man who stole my sister’s life has hit our family harder than we thought, it’s been nearly 18 years since we lost Caroline and life without her still hurts everyday.
‘We strive to stay positive, reminding ourselves of Caroline’s Rainbow Foundation and all the work we have done to support backpackers and young travellers, helping to keep them safe when travelling.
‘This is Caroline’s legacy and how she will always be with us.’
British backpacker Caroline Ann Stuttle was travelling around Australia during a gap year when she was killed
Caroline was nearing the end of her gap year abroad with her friend Sarah Holiday when she was killed
Following her death, Caroline’s family set up the Rainbow Foundation, which promotes travel safety awareness for anyone going abroad.
Caroline was nearing the end of her gap year abroad with her friend Sarah Holiday when she was killed.
On the night of the attack, Caroline had been using a payphone to call her boyfriend in England.
She was walking back to her caravan, when she was approached by Previte, a drifter, on the bridge.
He had taken a dangerous cocktail of drugs in the hours before the attack, including the antidepressant Seroxat and morphine.
He had tried to steal her bag but when she fought back, he pushed her over the railing.
Previte had taken a dangerous cocktail of drugs in the hours before the attack, including the antidepressant Seroxat and morphine