Belinda Hawkins

In 2008, ABC TV's Australian Story senior journalist Belinda Hawkins fielded a phone call about a young man being held in a Bulgarian prison. Jock Palfreeman, an Australian national and British Army recruit, had been accused of murder after a brawl in the country's capital and was facing a life sentence. The story caught Hawkins interest and this book, Every Parent's Nightmare, is the result of a comprehensive five year investigation.

With access to police reports, legal documents, CCTV footage and witnesses, Hawkins pieces together the most likely sequence of events on the night of December 27th, 2007 after Jock Palfreeman's decision to defend a Gypsy being harassed by a drunken group of privileged young Bulgarians. She then goes on to expose the flawed investigation and corrupt procedures that led to Jock's conviction for the murder of Andrei Monov.

Cooperation from Jock and his father, Dr Simon Freeman, ensures that the personal costs of this harrowing case are not forgotten. It is every parents nightmare to wave your child off on an overseas adventure only to be faced with a horrific situation such as this. As Jock languishes in a crumbling soviet jail, his father and family continue to fight for his health, safety and freedom.

Whether Jock Palfreeman is actually responsible for inflicting the wound that killed Andrei Monov remains a mystery, Jock claims to not remember and the 'witness' accounts are proved here to be completely unreliable. What is evident from Hawkins detailed and exhaustive study of this case, and is independently verified by experts, is that this young Australian did not receive a fair trial.

Jock remains in a Bulgarian prison serving a twenty year sentence despite the reciprocal extradition agreement between our countries. Bulgaria is demanding a financial contribution from the Palfreeman family in order to agree to Jock serving his remaining sentence in Australia while Monov's grieving, well connected parents continue to exert influence on decisions about his case.

Every Parent's Nightmare is a well crafted and meticulously researched account of a tragedy that left one young man dead and another jailed for life. Confronting, moving and utterly gripping, this is a true life story that deserves public notice.

Updates on Jock Freeman's case can be found at Every Parent's Nightmare while you can pledge your support at FreeJock.com… (altro)