Leonard John Fraser

A Predator of the Worst Kind

Fraser remained stoic throughout the trial and neither called for nor gave any evidence on his own behalf except to steadfastly deny at the start that he had neither abducted, raped or murdered Keyra or that he was in or near the lot on the day in question.

Yet, when police had originally charged Fraser with the crimes, he had offered an apology to Keyra's parents: "I'd like to say to her mother and father and I know a lot of people won't believe me but, if you check my background, it's not my go to harm a child," he said. "I'm just sorry this is happening and I don't know what made me do it; at least I can try to... I'm going to try and get help after I get sentenced and all, so that's a good step."

Keyra Steinhardt

In the light of the overwhelming evidence, Leonard Fraser was found guilty of the abduction and murder of Keyra Steinhardt at Rockhampton on April 22, 1999. At Fraser's sentencing on November 9, 2000, Justice Ken Mackenzie labeled him a sexual predator of the worst kind. "Lone females in a public place, as is present in this case, were compelled by force and threats to go to a place where the risk of disturbance was less," Justice Mackenzie said. "The offence involved severe, indeed extreme, violence on a child. Fraser's story is that of a sexual predator of the worst kind."

Justice Mackenzie said that he could see no reason to suppose Fraser had any prospect of rehabilitation and sentenced him to an indefinite life sentence. Under new Queensland legislation enacted in 1997, an indefinite life sentence means that unlike a life sentence where the prisoner could automatically apply for parole after 15 years, he must not only apply to the Parole Board but also to a Supreme Court judge before he could ever be released. Both would have to be satisfied that Fraser no longer posed a threat to the community before the indefinite order was lifted. This sentence virtually slammed the cell door behind Fraser for the rest of his life.