Rachel Olding July 04, 2012
Accused killer Jonathan Andrew Stenberg showed up on a film set in outback Queensland while on the run two weeks ago and auditioned for a role as a policeman in a serial killer thriller.
Stenberg, wanted at the time over the decapitation of Edward ''Ned'' Kelly, 54, in NSW, answered an ad for a part in Mystery Road, a murder mystery film starring Hugo Weaving, Jack Thompson and True Blood star Ryan Kwanten.
Ironically, he won the role as an extra, playing a policeman.
Mark Ingram, the film's second assistant director, put posters up around Winton in central west Queensland two weeks ago asking for locals to audition as extras on June 23, two days after the decapitated body of Mr Kelly was found in his home in Broadwater, northern NSW.
Stenberg approached Mr Ingram at the North Gregory Hotel in Winton and said he was passing through town and keen to earn some cash.
''He came across as a very keen, enthusiastic gentleman. He was very well-mannered and very enthusiastic to help us,'' Mr Ingram said.
On the audition sheet, Stenberg puts his address as ''back of truck [swag]'' and lists ''8 years Aust Army, 1 year Iraq, 1 year Afghan, 4 years carpenter-builder, qualified first aid instructor, qualified weapons instructor''.
Stenberg did an audition, had a photo taken and gave his particulars, saying his name was John Sergeant.
He said he had no fixed abode and was looking for a billabong to camp by that night. He said he had tools in his ute and offered to do odd carpentry jobs on set.
When Mr Ingram emailed him and called him later that day to let him know he could start right away, they couldn't reach him.
Two days later, he emailed back and said he couldn't take the part as he had to go to the NT.
Yesterday afternoon, NSW police successfully applied for an extradition order in a Darwin court. Officers will bring Stenberg to Sydney tomorrow to face Central Local Court on Friday.