Murder of Leigh Leigh
Encyclopedia
The murder of Leigh Leigh is a case concerning the rape
and murder
of Leigh Leigh, a 14-year-old girl from Stockton
, Australia
, in 1989.
Leigh Leigh's body was found in sand dunes at Stockton Beach following a 16-year-old boy's birthday party. Her body had severe genital damage and a crushed skull. Matthew Webster was charged with and convicted of her murder.
students from Newcastle High School
however it was reported children as young as 10 were present. Many of the participants were drinking alcohol, smoking marijuana and some were having sex. Eighteen-year-old Webster, one of the two bouncers
at the party, admitted to smoking around fifteen cones of marijuana and consuming about a case of beer during the evening. Fourteen-year-old Leigh had a written invitation to attend the party and permission from her mother, who was told there would be responsible adults present. Leigh was reported to have gotten heavily intoxicated very quickly. Shortly afterwards Leigh had sex on the beach with a boy aged 15; she had previously been a virgin. There is strong evidence to suggest that this was rape, however the 15-year-old boy, who was never publicly named for legal reasons, was not charged with rape. Whether or not the sex was consensual remains contentious. When Judge Joseph Moore reviewed the evidence in 1995, he concluded that Leigh's first sexual encounter at the party went beyond "carnal knowledge". He called it non-consensual.
It was also widely reported that Leigh was gang raped. Regarding this Detective Sergeant Lance Chaffey, who headed the investigation stated:
When Leigh returned to the party she was distressed and seeking assistance. Nineteen-year-old Guy Wilson, the other bouncer, and the only other person besides Webster aged over 18 at the party, also demanded sex from her. Wilson was joined by Webster and around ten other boys who surrounded Leigh and pushed her to the ground. They yelled abuse, kicked her, spat on her, threw bottles at her and spat beer on her head. This was witnessed by other people at the party; no one came to help her. Similar physical and verbal assaults continued inside the crowded clubhouse where she sought refuge. Leigh then walked to the beach. Webster followed her, grabbed her, dragged her to a hollow between the dunes, violently raped, beat, strangled and killed her by striking her head with a piece of concrete weighing 6 kg (13 lb). The first blow to the head killed her. Webster continued to hit her several more times. She was disfigured beyond recognition, the entire left side of her head was caved in. Leigh still had her invitation to attend the party in her pocket when her body was found the next morning.
legislation. He was released on parole on 10 June 2004 after serving 14½ years. Following his release, Leigh's family stated they harboured "...no ill thoughts" towards Webster and wished him well in the "...re-establishment of his life".
Guy Wilson served six months for assault, the unnamed 15-year-old was also sentenced to 6 months custody in a detention centre; the sentence was reduced on appeal to 100 hours community service.
The murder was discussed at length in the Parliament of New South Wales
, and the release of Matthew Webster on parole was also discussed in Parliament 14 years later. There were initial concerns as to whether or not Webster was suitable for parole; after discussion of the circumstances his parole release went unopposed.
Advances in DNA
testing technology may lead to a re-examination of the case.
was inspired by the events. The play originally premiered at Freewheels Theatre in Newcastle
in 1992 under the title A Property of the Clan, and was later shown at the National Institute of Dramatic Art
in 1993. The play was later retitled Blackrock
after some revisions and was performed by the Sydney Theatre Company
in 1995 and 1996. It was developed into a film, also entitled Blackrock
, which was released in 1997. In both the plays and the film the characters names are changed; for example Leigh's character is named Tracy however the events are still set in Stockton and Newcastle. Leigh's family objected to naming the character Tracy, as 'Tracey' was the name of Leigh's cousin and best friend. The community of Stockton opposed filming in the area, citing that the memories of the events were still fresh and the details of the script were too close for comfort. Complaints about the film were exacerbated by the film-makers denial that the film was specifically about Leigh, despite the choice of Stockton for filming. Leigh's family were vehemently opposed to the film, saying the film-makers were "feasting on an unfortunate situation". Both the stage and film representations were credited with correcting misinformation reported in the media regarding the murder, as well as to providing a forum for reflection on the events. Both the plays and the film question how extreme male bonding in youth subcultures relegates females to purely domestic and sexual roles, and are about why any group of boys might abuse any girl.
Rape
Rape is a type of sexual assault usually involving sexual intercourse, which is initiated by one or more persons against another person without that person's consent. The act may be carried out by physical force, coercion, abuse of authority or with a person who is incapable of valid consent. The...
and murder
Murder
Murder is the unlawful killing, with malice aforethought, of another human being, and generally this state of mind distinguishes murder from other forms of unlawful homicide...
of Leigh Leigh, a 14-year-old girl from Stockton
Stockton, New South Wales
Stockton is a suburb of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia, located from Newcastle's central business district. It is the only suburb of Newcastle that lies north of the Hunter River.-Geography:...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, in 1989.
Leigh Leigh's body was found in sand dunes at Stockton Beach following a 16-year-old boy's birthday party. Her body had severe genital damage and a crushed skull. Matthew Webster was charged with and convicted of her murder.
The murder
On 3 November 1989, a boy celebrated his 16th birthday at a Stockton surf club with minimum supervision. Most of the people present were Year TenYear Ten
Year Ten is an educational year group in schools in many countries including Bangladesh, England, India, Wales, Northern Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. It is usually the tenth year of compulsory education and incorporates students aged between fourteen and sixteen.-Bangladesh:In schools in...
students from Newcastle High School
Newcastle High School (Australia)
Newcastle High School is a state run high school located in Newcastle West—a suburb of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia–with an enrolment of approximately 1,000 students....
however it was reported children as young as 10 were present. Many of the participants were drinking alcohol, smoking marijuana and some were having sex. Eighteen-year-old Webster, one of the two bouncers
Bouncer (doorman)
A bouncer is an informal term for a type of security guard employed at venues such as bars, nightclubs or concerts to provide security, check legal age, and refuse entry to a venue based on criteria such as intoxication, aggressive behavior, or attractiveness...
at the party, admitted to smoking around fifteen cones of marijuana and consuming about a case of beer during the evening. Fourteen-year-old Leigh had a written invitation to attend the party and permission from her mother, who was told there would be responsible adults present. Leigh was reported to have gotten heavily intoxicated very quickly. Shortly afterwards Leigh had sex on the beach with a boy aged 15; she had previously been a virgin. There is strong evidence to suggest that this was rape, however the 15-year-old boy, who was never publicly named for legal reasons, was not charged with rape. Whether or not the sex was consensual remains contentious. When Judge Joseph Moore reviewed the evidence in 1995, he concluded that Leigh's first sexual encounter at the party went beyond "carnal knowledge". He called it non-consensual.
It was also widely reported that Leigh was gang raped. Regarding this Detective Sergeant Lance Chaffey, who headed the investigation stated:
When Leigh returned to the party she was distressed and seeking assistance. Nineteen-year-old Guy Wilson, the other bouncer, and the only other person besides Webster aged over 18 at the party, also demanded sex from her. Wilson was joined by Webster and around ten other boys who surrounded Leigh and pushed her to the ground. They yelled abuse, kicked her, spat on her, threw bottles at her and spat beer on her head. This was witnessed by other people at the party; no one came to help her. Similar physical and verbal assaults continued inside the crowded clubhouse where she sought refuge. Leigh then walked to the beach. Webster followed her, grabbed her, dragged her to a hollow between the dunes, violently raped, beat, strangled and killed her by striking her head with a piece of concrete weighing 6 kg (13 lb). The first blow to the head killed her. Webster continued to hit her several more times. She was disfigured beyond recognition, the entire left side of her head was caved in. Leigh still had her invitation to attend the party in her pocket when her body was found the next morning.
Convictions
Matthew Webster pleaded guilty to Leigh's murder and on 24 October 1990 Justice Wood sentenced him a minimum of 14 years with an additional 6 years during which he would be eligible for parole. Justice Wood found that Webster's motivation for killing Lee was his fear she would report his sexual assault upon her. Webster was the first murderer in New South Wales to be sentenced under the truth in sentencingTruth in Sentencing
Truth in sentencing is a collection of different but related public policy stances on sentencing of those convicted of crimes in the justice system. In most contexts truth in sentencing refers to policies and legislation that aim to abolish or curb parole, so that convicts serve the period that...
legislation. He was released on parole on 10 June 2004 after serving 14½ years. Following his release, Leigh's family stated they harboured "...no ill thoughts" towards Webster and wished him well in the "...re-establishment of his life".
Guy Wilson served six months for assault, the unnamed 15-year-old was also sentenced to 6 months custody in a detention centre; the sentence was reduced on appeal to 100 hours community service.
Aftermath
Police were criticised over their handling of the investigation, in particular for failing to quickly identify perpetrators, their treatment of witnesses, and for interviewing children without the permission of their parents. A review in 2000 recommended the dismissal of Detective Sergeant Lance Chaffey and disciplinary action against the other investigative officers.The murder was discussed at length in the Parliament of New South Wales
Parliament of New South Wales
The Parliament of New South Wales, located in Parliament House on Macquarie Street, Sydney, is the main legislative body in the Australian state of New South Wales . It is a bicameral parliament elected by the people of the state in general elections. The parliament shares law making powers with...
, and the release of Matthew Webster on parole was also discussed in Parliament 14 years later. There were initial concerns as to whether or not Webster was suitable for parole; after discussion of the circumstances his parole release went unopposed.
Advances in DNA
DNA
Deoxyribonucleic acid is a nucleic acid that contains the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms . The DNA segments that carry this genetic information are called genes, but other DNA sequences have structural purposes, or are involved in...
testing technology may lead to a re-examination of the case.
Theatrical and film adaptations
A play, written by Australian playwright Nick EnrightNick Enright
-Life:He was drama captain of St Ignatius' College, Riverview in 1964, where, like Gerard Windsor and Justin Fleming, he was taught by Melvyn Morrow. At that school, he won the 1sts Debating Premiership in both 1966 and 1967....
was inspired by the events. The play originally premiered at Freewheels Theatre in Newcastle
Newcastle, New South Wales
The Newcastle metropolitan area is the second most populated area in the Australian state of New South Wales and includes most of the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie Local Government Areas...
in 1992 under the title A Property of the Clan, and was later shown at the National Institute of Dramatic Art
National Institute of Dramatic Art
The National Institute of Dramatic Art is an Australian national training institute for students of theatre, film, and television, based in the Sydney suburb of Kensington. It is supported by the federal Office for the Arts, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. NIDA is located adjacent...
in 1993. The play was later retitled Blackrock
Blackrock (play)
Blackrock is a play by Australian playwright Nick Enright. It was inspired by the real-life rape and murder of schoolgirl Leigh Leigh in Stockton, near Newcastle, Australia on 3 November 1989.It won the 1996 AWGIE Award for Best Play.-Origins:...
after some revisions and was performed by the Sydney Theatre Company
Sydney Theatre Company
The Sydney Theatre Company is one of Australia's best-known theatre companies operating from The Wharf Theatre near The Rocks area of Sydney, as well as the Sydney Theatre and the Sydney Opera House Drama Theatre....
in 1995 and 1996. It was developed into a film, also entitled Blackrock
Blackrock (film)
Blackrock is a 1997 Australian film directed by Steven Vidler and written by Nick Enright. Internationally, it is best remembered as the first prominent role of actor Heath Ledger.-Origin:...
, which was released in 1997. In both the plays and the film the characters names are changed; for example Leigh's character is named Tracy however the events are still set in Stockton and Newcastle. Leigh's family objected to naming the character Tracy, as 'Tracey' was the name of Leigh's cousin and best friend. The community of Stockton opposed filming in the area, citing that the memories of the events were still fresh and the details of the script were too close for comfort. Complaints about the film were exacerbated by the film-makers denial that the film was specifically about Leigh, despite the choice of Stockton for filming. Leigh's family were vehemently opposed to the film, saying the film-makers were "feasting on an unfortunate situation". Both the stage and film representations were credited with correcting misinformation reported in the media regarding the murder, as well as to providing a forum for reflection on the events. Both the plays and the film question how extreme male bonding in youth subcultures relegates females to purely domestic and sexual roles, and are about why any group of boys might abuse any girl.