Hostage Backs Parole For Mad Dog

Sydney Morning Herald

Wednesday December 1, 2004

Leonie Lamont

Nearly 30 years ago Russell "Mad Dog" Cox took a young prison officer hostage a during a desperate but unsuccessful breakout from the Metropolitan Reception Prison at Long Bay.

Stephen Tandy thought Cox was going to kill him. But he survived, rose to the rank of prison superintendent - and is now supporting the parole of the man who once held him at gunpoint and with whom he now gets on "famously".

"He's had enough," he told the NSW Parole Board. The board was convinced and Cox will be released from Grafton Jail on December 7.

This unusual rehabilitation is just the latest twist in the life of one of Australia's most notorious criminals.

Cox tried to escape jail twice, and on his second attempt, in 1977, succeeded. He spent the next 11 years on the run, during which he is suspected of being involved in a string of robberies. He was a master of disguise and even travelled by yacht to Britain and Germany, but in 1988 he was recaptured with another prison escapee, Raymond John Denning, in a Melbourne shopping centre.

Without any intended irony, Superintendent Tandy said Cox had been a "model prisoner". It was his opinion that, at the age of 57, Cox had matured in jail and would not reoffend.

Cox, who has recently been on weekend release, sat in on the parole board's assessment yesterday at court via video link from Grafton Jail. He looked fit and tanned and sat impassive throughout, his powerful arms crossed. He will live in Queensland with his wife on release, and has accepted a job as a builder's labourer and cleaner. He will be on parole for the rest of his life.

Cox only smiled when his solicitor of 20 years, Jack Grahame, of the Prisoners Legal Service, rang him from the court. "You will get a bit of a write-up," Mr Grahame said of the media presence. "All the best of luck. As I say, it's the end of a long journey."

Not all are pleased. The state Opposition's spokesman on justice, Andrew Humpherson, said: "Whichever way you look at this, Cox has not spent the appropriate amount of time in jail."

But the Serious Offenders Review Committee said Cox had made "remarkable and successful efforts at rehabilitation", while a psychiatrist said there was no significant risk of further violence by Cox. Superintendent Tandy, who is on the committee, said he had rebuilt bridges with Cox. While Cox had never offered him a formal apology, he was, "in his own way, apologetic and not overly joyed with what happened on that day", he said.

"The incident figures somewhat in the forefront of my mind after all these some 30 years, particularly in the sense of how easy one's life could have been terminated.

"Simply put, this is a dangerous job ... We must be strong enough to move on. I have no animosity towards him whatsoever. His behaviour in jail has been of a very high standard.

"I'm of the opinion he realises he's had enough.

"There's only one avenue left for him if he reoffends, and that is back in behind the walls. His age, 57 - he would be there for a lengthy time."

'I have no animosity towards him whatsoever. His behaviour in jail has been of a very high standard.' STEPHEN TANDY A prison officer once held at gunpoint by Russell "Mad Dog" Cox (left)

LIFE AND TIMES OF RUSSELL 'MAD DOG' COX

Born September 15, 1947. In children's homes from age nine, teenage criminal record.

1974 Arrested for armed robbery, car theft, sentenced to 14 years' jail.

August 1975 Attempted breakout from Metropolitan Reception Prison, Long Bay.

Sentenced in 1977 to life over the breakout, including 15 years hard labour.

November 1977 Became the only man to escape from maximum security Katingal, and began 11 years on the run, as Australia's most wanted criminal. Spent three years in UK and Europe.

1988 Captured with recent prison escapee Raymond John Denning at Melbourne's Doncaster Shopping Centre, after vigilent armoured van guards spotted them. Cox, a master of disguise, is suspected of being involved in a string of robberies during his years on the run. Serves time in Victorian and Queensland jails.

1993 Extradited to NSW to serve out his sentence.

1996 Under truth in sentencing legislation, Cox applied for the determination of a minimum sentence. Is given a non parole term of 29 years and fou rmonths - which expires next Tuesday.

© 2004 Sydney Morning Herald

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