Anonymous

There were concerns that hard time would only serve to further criminalise the first-time offender. The parole board ultimately decided to release Eric Edgar Cook in August 1949, agreeing that his brief stint in prison had been enough to scare him straight. They felt that Cook had committed crimes because he was socially isolated and saw the acts as a way to gain notoriety and friendships.

Although he had been an intelligent student, his education was hindered by his behavioural problems and his father, who forced him to leave school at the age of 14. Cook started working from then on, passing most of his earnings on to his mother and a stealing to supplement his own income. From then on, Cook worked a series of menial jobs.

Although he had been an intelligent student, his education was hindered by his behavioural problems and his father, who forced him to leave school at the age of 14. Cook started working from then on, passing most of his earnings on to his mother and a stealing to supplement his own income. From then on, Cook worked a series of menial jobs.

Although he had been an intelligent student, his education was hindered by his behavioural problems and his father, who forced him to leave school at the age of 14. Cook started working from then on, passing most of his earnings on to his mother and a stealing to supplement his own income. From then on, Cook worked a series of menial jobs.

He was an accident-prone person and his employment record was impacted by repeated accidents. Once, his face was badly scalded by steam. Another time, he fell and damaged his spine, leading to a week in hospital. Cook's many injuries included multiple head injuries. He would often slip and hit his head, resulting in concussions and further fractures.

He was an accident-prone person and his employment record was impacted by repeated accidents. Once, his face was badly scalded by steam. Another time, he fell and damaged his spine, leading to a week in hospital. Cook's many injuries included multiple head injuries. He would often slip and hit his head, resulting in concussions and further fractures.

He was an accident-prone person and his employment record was impacted by repeated accidents. Once, his face was badly scalded by steam. Another time, he fell and damaged his spine, leading to a week in hospital. Cook's many injuries included multiple head injuries. He would often slip and hit his head, resulting in concussions and further fractures.

Following his release from prison, he started working at a confectionery company and joined a church. Overall, his life improved. His probation period concluded two years later on August 15 1951. To celebrate his return to freedom, Cook travelled east across the country to Melbourne, where he enlisted in the Australian Army.

Following his release from prison, he started working at a confectionery company and joined a church. Overall, his life improved. His probation period concluded two years later on August 15 1951. To celebrate his return to freedom, Cook travelled east across the country to Melbourne, where he enlisted in the Australian Army.

Following his release from prison, he started working at a confectionery company and joined a church. Overall, his life improved. His probation period concluded two years later on August 15 1951. To celebrate his return to freedom, Cook travelled east across the country to Melbourne, where he enlisted in the Australian Army.

During his training, he became an excellent marksman, but was discharged three months later when the army learnt of his previous offending. Cook returned to Perth and started working as a truck driver. The short, dark-haired man had never had much luck with women, but in 1953 he met a young woman named Sally Lavin.

During his training, he became an excellent marksman, but was discharged three months later when the army learnt of his previous offending. Cook returned to Perth and started working as a truck driver. The short, dark-haired man had never had much luck with women, but in 1953 he met a young woman named Sally Lavin.

During his training, he became an excellent marksman, but was discharged three months later when the army learnt of his previous offending. Cook returned to Perth and started working as a truck driver. The short, dark-haired man had never had much luck with women, but in 1953 he met a young woman named Sally Lavin.

They married in November of that year and settled in the inner eastern suburb of Rivervale. Less than two years later, the couple already had two sons. But Cook's new law-abiding image and family man lifestyle didn't put a stop to his criminal activities. In 1953, he broke into the home of some fellow church members and stole from them.

They married in November of that year and settled in the inner eastern suburb of Rivervale. Less than two years later, the couple already had two sons. But Cook's new law-abiding image and family man lifestyle didn't put a stop to his criminal activities. In 1953, he broke into the home of some fellow church members and stole from them.

They married in November of that year and settled in the inner eastern suburb of Rivervale. Less than two years later, the couple already had two sons. But Cook's new law-abiding image and family man lifestyle didn't put a stop to his criminal activities. In 1953, he broke into the home of some fellow church members and stole from them.

His fingerprints led to his arrest and he was placed on a good behaviour bond. In September 1955, two months after the birth of his second son, Cook had set his sights on another woman. When he found out she was playing in a hockey tournament two hours south of Perth in Bunbury, he stole a car to stalk her there.

His fingerprints led to his arrest and he was placed on a good behaviour bond. In September 1955, two months after the birth of his second son, Cook had set his sights on another woman. When he found out she was playing in a hockey tournament two hours south of Perth in Bunbury, he stole a car to stalk her there.

His fingerprints led to his arrest and he was placed on a good behaviour bond. In September 1955, two months after the birth of his second son, Cook had set his sights on another woman. When he found out she was playing in a hockey tournament two hours south of Perth in Bunbury, he stole a car to stalk her there.

Cook rolled the car along the way, suffering a broken sternum plus face and knee injuries. The incident led to him being charged with assuming control of a motor vehicle. Cook was sentenced to two years hard labour for the theft as well as an additional six months for breaking his good behaviour bond.