Cleo smith kidnapper terence darrell kelly to be sentenced court 20220902 p5ykd6.html – Breaking News & Latest Updates 2026
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This was published 4 years ago

Cleo Smith's kidnapper to be sentenced in December

Michael Ramsey

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The man who has admitted abducting four-year-old Cleo Smith from her family's Western Australian campsite is set to learn his fate in December.

Terence Darrell Kelly, 37, pleaded guilty earlier this year to one count of forcibly taking a child under 16.

The matter returned to the WA District Court on Friday with lawyers confirming the case was ready to proceed to sentencing.

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Terence Kelly.

Terence Kelly will be sentenced in December. Supplied

Registrar Jacquie Kubacz ordered that Kelly face a two-day sentencing hearing on December 13 and 14 before Chief Judge Julie Wager.

Kelly, who is in custody, was not required to attend Friday's hearing.

Cleo was found alive in early-November last year, 18 days after she went missing from the remote Blowholes campsite.

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Cleo Smith in hospital (Western Australia Police Force)

Cleo Smith was kidnapped from a campsite last year. Western Australia Police Force

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Her disappearance had sparked a major police investigation which eventually led detectives to a property in Carnarvon, just minutes from Cleo's family home.

Police forced entry and found the little girl alone in a room.

The dramatic rescue was captured by an officer's body-worn camera and subsequently made news headlines around the world.

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