When a young, adventurous larrikin, Kevin John Simmonds, teams up with his keen new partner in crime, Leslie Alan Newcombe, the daring duo become targets of the largest police search in Australian history after a failed robbery ends in murder.

SYNOPSIS:

The story begins in 1959 inside a Sydney courthouse holding cell. Kevin Simmonds, 24, exudes confidence despite his dire situation. Dressed sharply in a suit, he stands beside Leslie Newcombe, 21, as they await their verdict. The courtroom erupts when they are found guilty of murder after the judge overturns the jury’s manslaughter verdict and sentences them to life in penal servitude. Detective Ray Kelly watches with a sense of accomplishment, knowing he has finally captured two of Sydney’s most notorious criminals. However, reporter Betty Brown senses there’s more to their story—especially Kevin’s.

Kevin's mind drifts back to his past as the prisoners are transported to the notoriously brutal Grafton Goal. He recalls his childhood in the small country town of Griffith, NSW, where he grew up under the harsh discipline of his father during the bleak Depression years of the 1930s. At only three years old, he witnessed the tragic drowning of his 16-month-old sister. This traumatic event continues to haunt Kevin throughout his life.

Kevin was never suited for farm life; he had always craved adventure. After stealing his father's life savings to head to the city, Kevin was intercepted by his father, who had him arrested and sent off to a juvenile centre for underage boys for twelve months. It was here he learned the art of crime, encountering seasoned delinquents who taught him every trick in the book. From that point on, Kevin transforms from a young lad with extensive criminal knowledge and enters into a life of crime—not just for the money, but for the thrill of outsmarting others, ultimately becoming the most infamous criminal in Australia’s history.

Kevin embarks on a series of small-time robberies, gaining experience along the way, which leads him to bigger jobs, including a high-stakes bank robbery with a reckless partner, Frank. However, the job goes sideways when Frank panics and threatens a child inside the bank. Kevin, who has always adhered to a code of conduct—even in crime—loses control and strikes Frank down. The robbery ends in chaos, and Kevin barely escapes as police flood the streets. This moment marks a turning point—Kevin is no longer just a clever thief; he’s now a fugitive, public enemy number one.

Kevin is captured and sent to Long Bay Jail for fifteen years. There, he meets Les, a small-time criminal who longs for a normal family life while turning a quick buck. The two forge an unbreakable bond, and eager to escape, they enlist the help of a humble Aboriginal prisoner who devises a plan for Kevin and Les. On 9th October 1959, the cold prison alarm bells ring out, and their daring midday breakout triggers a nationwide manhunt led by Ray Kelly and 500 police officers that lasts for thirty-seven days. However, their worst fears are realised when Kevin unintentionally kills a guard.

Les is caught within two weeks, but Kevin remains on the run as he undermines the law in his pursuit of freedom, surviving in the most uninhabitable, infested, and rugged terrain while the press vilifies him. However, the longer he stays at large, the more public sympathy he gains, which swings in his favour, especially among enraptured females. His simple heroic charm, cheekiness, and defiance in staying on the run and staying alive garner an unlikely audience across Australia.

Kevin’s luck finally runs out when he's captured, marking the end of his once-daring exploits. Yet, his troubles are far from over. Sentenced to Grafton Goal, he endures six years of relentless beatings and psychological torment. The once-charismatic fitness fanatic outlaw is now just a shadow of his former self. His death, alleged to be a suicide by hanging, remains controversial, sparking questions about the true nature of his fate.

His death prompts his sister, Ms. Jan Simmonds, to author the book, “For Simmo,” which leads to a State Royal Commission into the brutal treatment of prisoners. Kevin’s incarceration is recognised as one of the worst atrocities in New South Wales penal history.

FINAL BLOW