Shortcut: My Predator Has Been Released From Prison

March 9, 2026·17 min·1 clip

Alicia froze when she saw her childhood rapist sitting right in front of her, holding the door open as they left court.

This episode of Australian True Crime features an update from Alicia, a survivor whose 1989 childhood sexual assault became a 26-year cold case. Host Michelle Lorry speaks with Alicia about the recent developments regarding her convicted offender, Sterling Bower. Alicia first appeared on the podcast in 2018 after Bower's capture and conviction. Sterling Bower received a six-year sentence and served the full non-parole period. Alicia received notification in March 2021 that he was due for release, but an interim supervision order was applied because authorities assessed him as an immediate to high risk of re-offending. This four-month order placed him in a transitional facility with conditions like ankle monitoring and a curfew. A subsequent court hearing in September 2021 resulted in a four-year supervision order. During a review in December 2023, Alicia attended court and unexpectedly found herself in the same room as Bower and his father. She describes the moment she realized he was sitting directly in front of her, no longer in custody. In May 2024, Alicia attended another court review where the prosecution argued for extending the supervision order, citing a psychologist's assessment of a moderate to high re-offending risk. The defense argued Bower had a low chance of re-offending. Alicia received an email on May 27, 2024, stating the judge had revoked the remaining supervision order, effectively releasing Bower from all oversight. She reveals she is no longer on the victim's register and will not be notified if he re-offends or moves. Alicia shares that Bower had other convictions, including stalking and creating exploitation material involving a child. A striking insight is Alicia's reflection that she never considered his release during the conviction process, assuming the case was finished. She expresses fury that someone deemed a high risk is reintegrated into the community, suggesting officials should live near him if they believe he is safe. Alicia details the lifelong impact of the assault, including her mental health struggles, involvement with a hospital crisis team, and significant dental issues she could not afford to fix. She contrasts her lack of support with the services available to Bower in prison, like dental care and therapy, which he reportedly did not engage with. Alicia emphasizes that her story is not to discourage reporting but to illuminate the realities of the justice system for survivors. The tone is raw, conversational, and emotionally charged, centered on a survivor's firsthand narrative. This episode will deeply resonate with listeners interested in survivor perspectives, the complexities of offender rehabilitation, and the long-term aftermath of criminal cases. Those seeking purely investigative or detached true crime analysis might find the intensely personal and emotional focus challenging.

As heard by us

A survivor-led update on release, supervision orders, and the hard reality of living with a conviction that did not end the damage.

Alicia's update takes the rare relief of a 26-year cold case conviction and asks what life looks like once the offender is back in the community.

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