Dante Arthurs: Thousands petition to keep child killer behind bars with board reviewing parole eligibility

The family of a young girl murdered by one of the country’s most evil child killers fear he could reoffend if he is released on parole in just a matter of weeks.

Dante Arthurs, then 21, was jailed for sexually assaulting and murdering eight-year-old Sofia Rodriguez-Urrutia Shu in Livingston Marketplace Shopping Centre, Canning Vale, in June 2006.

He was imprisoned for life in 2007 with a non-parole period of 13 years — a sentence that sparked mass outrage.

The case horrified the State and those shock waves still resonate today, with more than 150,000 people already signing a petition calling for Arthurs to be kept behind bars.

The Prisoners Review Board, which makes parole recommendations to the Attorney-General, has confirmed Arthurs’ freedom is up for review again in May.

Former police officer Paul Litherland worked as a family liaison officer with the Mater Christi Primary School student’s family, whose son went to school with her.

He said that he and Sofia’s family were concerned Arthurs could commit more crimes if released.

“It was a crime that rocked the nation and there was a lot of controversy around him (Arthurs) as well ... he had a pattern of behaviour which sadly led to his interaction with Sofia that day,” he told The West Australian.

“His high-level offending and his attitude and his lack of (remorse) is something that resonated with the community and I think there’s a very strong fear there’s a likelihood he could reoffend.”

Mr Litherland, who launched the petition to keep Arthurs in prison that has now attracted 152,000 signatures, said the murder was “one of the worst (crimes) in the country”.

“He only ended up with spending a possible 13 years in jail, which in itself resonated with the WA community about how such horrific crimes can get such a low penalty,” he said.

And Mr Litherland said he would “personally deliver” the petition to Attorney-General John Quigley.

“It’s just about sending the message to him and the parole board ... and that we think 19 years (in jail) is too quick,” he said.

“We just want to send the message that the community is still reeling and still very concerned about the chances of him reoffending.”

Mr Quigley declined to comment on the Prisoners Review Board’s impending decision, but said the murder had alarmed the entire State.

“This was a shocking and evil crime that shook all Western Australians to the core, and still does today, 19 years on,” he said.

Mr Litherland said the murder had had a long-lasting impact on the WA community, with many of Sofia’s friends still commemorating her almost 20 years on.

“It’s been quite a long time now but it’s still resonating with the community ... a number of Sofia’s friends still remember her each year,” he said.

“Every year on Sofia’s birthday I go to her memorial ... and people are like, ‘Wow she would have been 26 years old now and she maybe would have been starting a family’.”

Mr Litherland acknowledged that sadly it was only a matter of time before Arthurs was released.

“Realistically, I know that Dante is eventually going to get parole; whether that happens in the next hearing or it happens in 10 or 15 years, I know it’s going to happen eventually,” he said.

“Sadly, it’s one of those situations where unless it’s at the front of people’s minds (it) just drops back.

“I’m hoping this petition refocuses our community to go, ‘You know what? We mustn’t allow these types of offenders to walk our streets.’”

Arthurs has previously been refused parole in 2019 and 2022.

When Arthurs was jailed, Mater Christi parish priest Bryan Rosling said Sofia’s parents’ “greatest fear” was their daughter’s killer coming out of prison.

“Arthurs has proven to be a serial sexual predator,” Father Rosling said.

“Sofia’s parents fear for their grandchildren.

“This man has proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that he cannot live in civilised society again.

“He has forfeited his right to live amongst us.”