Relief has finally come for Sydney girl Madeleine Pulver and her family today as the man who strapped a fake collar bomb around her neck holding her hostage in the family’s Mosman home was jailed for at least ten years.
Paul Douglas Peters was given a maximum sentence of 13 years and six months in jail for the terrifying extortion attempt which took place in August last year.
Madeline Pulver’s angel: The cop who braved the collar bomb
As Judge Peter Zahra handed down his sentence, Madeleine’s father Bill broke into tears and hugged his daughter, who was also crying, while Peters had no reaction.
Outside the court, the brave 18-year-old said she was pleased the process was over.
“I realise it’s going to take quite some time to come to terms with what happened but today was important because now the legal process is over,” she said.
“For me it was never about the sentencing but to know that he cannot reoffend, and it was good to hear the judge acknowledge the trauma he has caused my family and me.”
Madeleine added that she was surprised to find this year much harder than last year, but was lucky to have had the support of her family and friends.
Judge Zahra acknowledged the devastating effect the act has had on the family, saying the impact on the young woman had been severe.
“The fear instilled can only be described as unimaginable,” he told the court.
“The victim was vulnerable. She was on her own studying for her trial HSC exams. She was entitled to the sanctuary of her home.”
While the judge was told during sentence hearing Peters had no memory of attaching the collar bomb and that there were psychiatric issues at play, today he was held accountable for his actions.
“He would have appreciated the enormity of what he was doing and the impact on the victim,” Judge Zahra said.
“His mental condition did little to reduce the moral culpability — he would have understood that his victim was in fear for her life.”
In pictures: Crimes that captured Australia
Madeleine said she was looking forward to a future “without Paul Peters name being linked to mine”.
She is also eagerly anticipating commencing her studies at Sydney University next year.
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