Mother’s despair at learning her son’s killer has been let out of prison to play country football

The mother of a one-punch victim has described her anger at Corrections Victoria after learning from a reporter that her son’s killer has been regularly let out of prison to play country football.

David Cassai was killed after a one-punch attack in Rye on New Year’s Eve in 2012.

His killer, Dylan Closter, was sentenced in 2014 to nine years & three months jail, with a minimum of six years.

Caterina Politi, who has since become an active campaigner for victims of crime, told Tom Elliott of her despair after being told Closter had been playing for Rushworth Football Club in the Kyabram District League.

“I’m very angry,” she said.

“To think that he’s been released without any notification, what are they thinking?!

“To think that this bastard is out there having a good time at our expense, just eats me to the core.

“David doesn’t get any second chances.

“It’s just devastating.”

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7 News reporter Melina Sarris told Tom the arrangement is between the league and the prison, as a part of low risk prisoner’s rehabilitation.

“He’s played 11 games since April,” Melina said.

“Apparently he’s allowed to leave prison for training once a week as well.”

Corrections Victoria has since told 3AW Drive it would review the decision to allow Closter out to play football.

“It is the Government’s expectation that decisions like this take into account the impact on victims,” Minister for Corrections Gayle Tierney told 3AW Drive.

“I have asked for this decision to be reviewed and if changes have to be made they will be.”

Julie told Tom Elliott her son was with David on the night he was killed and the news was “like a dagger in the heart” for friends and family.

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