Key Takeaways:
- Dawid Volmer, a 51-year-old South African-born evangelical pastor, was a member of the "Evil 8" paedophile ring that was busted by West Australian police a decade ago.
- Volmer pleaded guilty to 12 offences relating to the abuse of a young girl and was sentenced to 10 and a half years in prison, with a minimum term of eight and a half years.
- The girl was sex trafficked by her own father to six strangers, including Volmer, between 2013 and 2015, when she was aged 11 to 13.
- Volmer has since been released from prison and has left Australia, with his current whereabouts unknown.
- The "Evil 8" paedophile ring involved seven men, including the girl’s father, who were charged and sentenced to various terms in prison for their involvement in the abuse.
Introduction to the Evil 8 Paedophile Ring
The "Evil 8" paedophile ring was a group of seven men who were involved in the sexual abuse and exploitation of a young girl in Western Australia. The ring was busted by police in 2015, and the men were subsequently charged and sentenced to various terms in prison. The case was particularly shocking due to the involvement of the girl’s father, who sex trafficked his own daughter to the other members of the ring. One of the members of the ring was Dawid Volmer, a 51-year-old South African-born evangelical pastor who pleaded guilty to 12 offences relating to the abuse of the girl.
The Crimes of Dawid Volmer
Volmer’s crimes began after the girl’s father responded to an advertisement he placed on Craigslist offering sexual massages. Volmer first met the man and his daughter in a park, with the father telling him the girl was 16 – although she was just 12. Despite later telling police he "knew in his heart" that wasn’t true, Volmer still chose to proceed. He went on to rape and drug the girl with amyl nitrate on three separate occasions in 2014 and 2015, while her father watched. Volmer’s actions were described as "depraved" by the court, and he was sentenced to 10 and a half years in prison, with a minimum term of eight and a half years.
The Other Members of the Evil 8
The other members of the "Evil 8" paedophile ring included the girl’s father, who cannot be named to protect her identity, as well as six other men who were charged and sentenced to various terms in prison. These men included Ryan Trevor Clegg, Nicholas Adam Beer, Troy Phillip Milbourne, Benjamin Simon Clarke, and Alfred John Impicciatore. Each of these men played a role in the abuse and exploitation of the girl, and their crimes were described as "reprehensible" and "disgusting" by the court.
The Sentencing of the Evil 8
The sentencing of the "Evil 8" paedophile ring was a lengthy and complex process, with each of the men receiving a different sentence based on the severity of their crimes. The girl’s father was sentenced to 22 and a half years in prison, while the other men received sentences ranging from three years to 12 years and nine months. The sentences were handed down after a series of court hearings, during which the men pleaded guilty to various charges relating to the abuse and exploitation of the girl.
The Aftermath of the Evil 8 Case
The "Evil 8" paedophile ring case had a significant impact on the community, with many people expressing outrage and shock at the severity of the crimes. The case also raised questions about the effectiveness of the justice system in dealing with child abuse and exploitation cases. In the aftermath of the case, there were calls for tougher sentences for child abusers and for greater support for victims of child abuse. The case also highlighted the importance of vigilance and awareness in preventing child abuse and exploitation.
The Release of Dawid Volmer
Dawid Volmer was released from prison in 2024, after serving his sentence for his involvement in the "Evil 8" paedophile ring. His release was met with concern from the community, with many people expressing worries about the risk he may pose to children. Volmer’s current whereabouts are unknown, although it is believed that he has left Australia. The release of Volmer and the other members of the "Evil 8" paedophile ring serves as a reminder of the need for ongoing vigilance and awareness in preventing child abuse and exploitation.
