Victims of one of was worst pedophiles warned he could be released from jail within two months 20240924 p5z6pj.html – Breaking News & Latest Updates 2026
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Victims of one of WA's worst paedophiles warned he could be released within two months

9News Staff

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Dennis McKenna, one of Western Australia's worst serial sex offenders, could be released from prison on parole before the end of the year.

The now elderly paedophile is convicted of abusing almost 30 boys at a regional college between 1975 and 1990.

Some of his victims are fighting against his potential early release.

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Dennis McKenna

Dennis McKenna, one of Western Australia's worst serial sex offenders, could be released from prison on parole before the end of the year. Nine

"He is a predator, he is a monster and he has forfeited the right - in my view - to walk the streets," Todd Jefferis said.

"That's exactly what he should do: die in jail."

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Dennis McKenna

"The psychological and physical abuse I bore will stay with me for the rest of my life, it'll never go away," Jefferis said. Nine

The Justice Department has written to those the now 79-year-old abused as borders at St Andrew's Hostel in Katanning.

The department says it is required to consider McKenna for possible release on parole.

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If granted, offenders are supervised and must comply with certain conditions, including an order restricting contact with a victim.

"Who knows what he'll do when he gets out, and that's the worry," Jefferis said.

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Dennis McKenna

"He's actually, I think, one of the most narcissistic sociopaths anyone could ever meet," Dawkins said. Nine

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Maggie Dawkins worked with McKenna in the 1980s before blowing the whistle on his offending.

She has written to the parole review board arguing he should be made to serve his full term.

"He's actually, I think, one of the most narcissistic sociopaths anyone could ever meet," Dawkins said.

9News understands McKenna remains at Karnet Prison Farm, a minimum security facility that teaches prisoners farming skills so they can find jobs when released into the community.

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For some of his victims, the potential for his release is a crushing reality.

"The psychological and physical abuse I bore will stay with me for the rest of my life, it'll never go away," Jefferis said.

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