A violent career criminal, released on parole for a brutal attack that led to a prison officer's death, has committed a series of further offences without being recalled to serve his original sentence.
A History of Extreme Violence
Carl Edward Little, 56, was on parole for the 2006 murderous assault on prison officer Wayne Smith at Silverwater Correctional Centre (now Dawn de Loas). Little, then 37, launched an unprovoked attack after being told he was being moved to a more secure facility. He repeatedly punched Mr Smith in the face until he lost consciousness, then continued to kick and stomp on his head.
The injuries were likened to those from a high-speed car crash. Mr Smith, a 57-year-old married father of two, underwent major facial reconstruction surgery but suffered catastrophic brain damage. He remained in a semi-conscious state until he went into cardiac arrest at Westmead Hospital almost six weeks later. Life support was withdrawn two days after that.
Little pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent to murder and assaulting three other officers. In 2007, Judge Roy Ellis sentenced him to a minimum of 15 years and three months, with an additional parole period of five years and three months, stating it was "hard to imagine a worse example of a determined effort to kill a man for no real reason."
Parole and Subsequent Crimes
Little served much of his sentence in Goulburn's High Risk Management Correctional Centre (Supermax) alongside inmates like Ivan Milat. His minimum term expired in January 2023, but he was not released until August 5, 2024, after the Serious Offenders Review Council (SORC) and Community Corrections supported his supervised release. The State Parole Authority (SPA) granted parole, with conditions including good behaviour and no drug use. His parole does not expire until April 24, 2028.
Despite this, Little quickly reoffended. Just six months after his release, in February 2024, he was charged with having custody of a knife in a public place. He was issued a court attendance notice with no bail conditions.
He was later arrested in October 2024 on a domestic violence-related charge of stalk/intimidate with intent to cause fear of physical harm. He was refused bail from October 9 to December 3, when he was convicted and placed on a 12-month community correction order. On the same day, he was convicted and fined $100 for the earlier knife charge.
In January 2025, he faced fresh charges including police pursuit, speeding, and drug possession. He was granted bail with conditions to attend a rehabilitation centre.
Public Appeal and Fresh Arrest
Little failed to appear at Wagga Wagga Local Court on January 15, 2025, for a charge of driving with an illicit drug in his system. He was convicted in his absence, fined, and disqualified from driving.
The next day, January 16, police issued a public appeal to locate him for outstanding domestic violence warrants, releasing a mugshot but making no mention of his extensive violent history. He was arrested on the morning of January 17 and hit with 13 new domestic violence-related charges, including armed intent, stalking, choking, and aggravated break and enter. He was refused bail by police.
His case was mentioned in an online bail court on January 18, where his Legal Aid solicitor indicated he would not apply for release. Bail was formally refused, and matters were adjourned to Wagga Wagga Local Court on January 20. He is currently held in Junee Correctional Centre.
The SPA's general practice is to not decide on revoking parole until all outstanding court charges are finalised. Little's appalling institutional record includes multiple assaults, threats, intimidation, property destruction, and failed drug tests.
