Francis Carter, 71, who is described as 'the most dangerous man in Australia,' will not be returned to the country after he violently attacked his former partner in the UK. Carter, who has served 25 years in Australian prisons for two murders, is currently in a UK facility after Australian authorities declined to take him back.
Carter, originally from Britain, moved to Australia in 1973. He was first jailed in 1989 for killing a man with a baseball bat and then slitting his throat, dismembering the body. While in prison, he escaped for a week before being recaptured. He later murdered an inmate he suspected of reporting his escape plans.
He was released from the Southern Queensland Correctional Centre in 2015 and returned to the UK. His past crimes led to him being labeled 'the most dangerous man in Australia' by author Paul Kidd in his 1993 book. Carter's crimes included armed robberies, break and enters, and assaults on prison staff and inmates.
In January of this year, Carter attacked his former partner at his home in the UK. The assault left the victim with extensive bruising and blood staining multiple rooms. Witnesses described the victim's injuries as severe. Carter surrendered to police the following day.
During sentencing, the judge noted that Carter, a powerfully built man, posed a continued risk of "explosive violence" and serious injury to others, despite efforts to address his issues. The court heard that Carter has a heart condition and is addressing a drinking problem. He expressed remorse for the assault.
The judge sentenced Carter to 18 months imprisonment, with at least 40 percent to be served. Due to time already served, he is expected to be released within weeks. He will also be subject to a restraining order for seven years.
Despite a judge in Sussex stating Carter still presents a threat, Australian authorities have refused his return. This decision comes even though judges in Queensland had previously recommended he should never be released.
Sussex Police commended the victim for reporting the incident and emphasized their commitment to tackling violence against women and girls. Carter is now serving his sentence and is subject to a restraining order, with police encouraging other victims of domestic abuse to come forward.
Australian media reported at the time of his 2015 release that Carter had "nearly decapitated" his first murder victim, Phillip Harold Clayton, in 1988, reportedly after an argument over a girlfriend. Carter slit Clayton's throat when the victim stated he could identify him to the police, saying, "I'm not doing 15 years for this."
Two years later, in 1990, while incarcerated, Carter and an accomplice used stolen knives to murder fellow inmate Scott Wallace. The judge presiding over Carter's second murder trial had expressed the belief that Carter would kill again if released.