1993 Cangai siege
Encyclopedia
In March 1993 Murderers Leonard Leabeater, Robert Steele and Raymond Bassett went on a nine day rampage across two States of Australia, resulting in them taking hostages in a siege in a farmhouse at Hanging Rock Station, Cangai, near Grafton
, New South Wales
with them threatening to kill people indiscriminately. The trio had boasted about having killed five people in a two-state murder spree.
Whilst on the on the run for five days the trio murdered five people after kidnapping then 11-year old Trevor and nine-year old Tonia Lasserre.
During the 26 hour siege numerous shots were fired by the trio at NSW Police Tactical Operations Unit
officers. Leabeater killed himself the following day; Steele and Bassett surrendered to police, and Steele was later sentenced to five consecutive life sentences without parole; he hung himself in prison on 23 December 1994. Bassett was later sentenced to two consecutive life sentences with a non-parole period of 34 years for his part in the killings.
The siege is also infamous for the actions of news reporter Mike Willesee
who was heavily criticised for telephoning the gunman and speaking with the children being held hostage whilst live on air.
The siege is also described at length by ex-Tactical Operations Unit
officer William Dodson in his book, 'The Sharp End;.
Grafton
- Places :Australia* Grafton, New South WalesCanada* Grafton, New Brunswick* Grafton, OntarioEngland* Grafton, Cheshire* Grafton, Herefordshire* Grafton, North Yorkshire* Grafton, Oxfordshire* Grafton, Shropshire* Grafton, Wiltshire...
, New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
with them threatening to kill people indiscriminately. The trio had boasted about having killed five people in a two-state murder spree.
Whilst on the on the run for five days the trio murdered five people after kidnapping then 11-year old Trevor and nine-year old Tonia Lasserre.
During the 26 hour siege numerous shots were fired by the trio at NSW Police Tactical Operations Unit
State Protection Group
The State Protection Group is part of the Specialist Operations division of the New South Wales Police Force, having been established in 1991 to deal with extraordinary policing responses. The SPG directly supports police in high-risk incidents such as sieges with specialised tactical,...
officers. Leabeater killed himself the following day; Steele and Bassett surrendered to police, and Steele was later sentenced to five consecutive life sentences without parole; he hung himself in prison on 23 December 1994. Bassett was later sentenced to two consecutive life sentences with a non-parole period of 34 years for his part in the killings.
The siege is also infamous for the actions of news reporter Mike Willesee
Mike Willesee
Michael Willesee is an Australian television presenter.Mike Willesee came to prominence in 1967 as a reporter for the ABC's new nightly current affairs program This Day Tonight , where his aggressive style quickly earned him a reputation as a fearless political interviewer.-Career:Willesee figured...
who was heavily criticised for telephoning the gunman and speaking with the children being held hostage whilst live on air.
The siege is also described at length by ex-Tactical Operations Unit
State Protection Group
The State Protection Group is part of the Specialist Operations division of the New South Wales Police Force, having been established in 1991 to deal with extraordinary policing responses. The SPG directly supports police in high-risk incidents such as sieges with specialised tactical,...
officer William Dodson in his book, 'The Sharp End;.
External links
- Televisions-10-most-dramatic-moments
- Captive audience December 14, 2004
- 1993 Suicide-and-the-killing-is-over
See also
- Timeline of major crimes in AustraliaTimeline of major crimes in AustraliaTimeline of major crimes in Australia-1800s:*26 January 1808 - George Johnston played a key role in the only successful armed takeover of government in Australia's recorded history, the Rum Rebellion...
- Crime in AustraliaCrime in AustraliaCrime-wise, Australia is comparatively a safe place to live, though often the perception of crime is much higher. Human smuggling, human trafficking and the illegal drug trade have all impacted Australia in recent years...