Attorney-General for the State of Queensland v Yeatman [2022] QSC 256
SUPREME COURT OF QUEENSLAND
CITATION: Attorney-General for the State of Queensland v Yeatman
[2022] QSC 256
PARTIES: ATTORNEY-GENERAL FOR THE STATE OF
QUEENSLAND
(applicant)
v
TRENT THOMAS YEATMAN
(respondent)
FILE NO/S: BS No 187 of 2014
DIVISION: Trial Division
PROCEEDING: Application
ORIGINATING
COURT:
Supreme Court at Brisbane
DELIVERED ON: 18 November 2022
DELIVERED AT: Brisbane
HEARING DATE: 31 October 2022
JUDGE: Davis J
ORDER: THE COURT being satisfied to the requisite standard that
the respondent, Trent Thomas Yeatman, has contravened
a requirement of the supervision order made by Justice
Philippides on 30 June 2014, ORDERS THAT:
1. The respondent, Trent Thomas Yeatman, be released
from custody and continues to be subject to the
supervision order made by Justice Philippides on 30
June 2014.
CATCHWORDS: CRIMINAL LAW – SENTENCE – SENTENCING ORDERS
– ORDERS AND DECLARATIONS RELATING TO
SERIOUS OR VIOLENT OFFENDERS OR DANGEROUS
SEXUAL OFFENDERS – DANGEROUS SEXUAL
OFFENDER – GENERALLY – where a supervision order was
made with respect to the respondent under Division 3 of Part 2
of the Dangerous Prisoners (Sexual Offenders) Act 2003
(DPSOA) - where it was alleged that the respondent had
contravened a requirement of the supervision order - where the
contravention was admitted by the respondent - where the
respondent had not committed any further serious sexual
offences - whether the adequate protection of the community
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could, despite the contravention of the order, be ensured by the
existing supervision order
Dangerous Prisoners (Sexual Offenders) Act 2003, s 2, s 3,
s 5, s 13, s 14, s 15, s 17, s 20, s 21, s 22
Attorney-General v Francis [2007] 1 Qd R 396, followed
Attorney-General (Qld) v Francis [2012] QSC 275, followed
Attorney-General v Lawrence [2010] 1 Qd R 505, followed
Attorney-General v Yeatman [2019] 1 Qd R 89, followed
Attorney-General (Qld) v Fardon [2013] QCA 64, followed
Attorney-General (Qld) v Sands [2016] QSC 225, cited
Attorney-General (Qld) v Yeatman [2019] QSC 230, related
Attorney-General (Qld) v Yeo [2008] QCA 115, followed
Attorney-General for the State of Queensland v Ellis [2012]
QCA 182, followed
Fardon v Attorney-General (Qld) (2004) 223 CLR 575, cited
Kynuna v Attorney-General [2016] QCA 172, followed
LAB v Attorney-General [2011] QCA 230, followed
Turnbull v Attorney-General (Qld) [2015] QCA 54, cited
COUNSEL: M Maloney for the applicant
S J Farnden for the respondent
SOLICITORS: GR Cooper, Crown Solicitor for the applicant
Legal Aid Queensland for the respondent
[1] The Attorney-General sought orders under s 22 of the Dangerous Prisoners (Sexual
Offenders) Act 2003 (the DPSOA) consequent upon an alleged breach of a
supervision order made by Philippides J (as her Honour then was) on 30 June 2014
(the supervision order).
[2] The breach is admitted by the respondent.
[3] On 31 October 2022, I made the following order:
“THE COURT being satisfied to the requisite standard that the
respondent, Trent Thomas Yeatman, has contravened a requirement
of the supervision order made by Justice Philippides on 30 June 2014,
ORDERS THAT:
1. The respondent, Trent Thomas Yeatman, be released from
custody and continues to be subject to the supervision order
made by Justice Philippides on 30 June 2014.”
[4] By releasing the respondent back on the supervision order, I did not “make” a
supervision order and therefore s 17 of the DPSOA did not oblige me to deliver
reasons at the time of making the order.1 These are the reasons for making the order
releasing the respondent back on the supervision order.
1 Attorney-General v Yeatman [2019] 1 Qd R 89.
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Background
[5] The respondent was born on 17 March 1979.
[6] In July 1999 and April 2000, the respondent suffered convictions in relation to sexual
offences he committed against two girls, one being 14 years of age and one being 15.
The earlier offence involved the abduction of the victim at knifepoint. He was
convicted of various offences, including counts of rape, in each incident.2
[7] The respondent was sentenced to substantial terms of imprisonment as a result of the
sexual offending.
[8] On 30 June 2014, the respondent was released on a supervision order made under the
DPSOA. Since that time, he has been the subject of various breach proceedings and
returned to custody. On each occasion though, he has been released into the
community on the supervision order.3
[9] After breach proceedings heard in September 2019, the respondent was released on
13 September 2019. He remained in the community until April 2022 when he was
arrested on a warrant based on a complaint of further breaches.4 He was ordered to
be detained pursuant to s 21 of the DPSOA and was in custody until I ordered his
release on 31 October 2022.
The current breach
[10] The contraventions are alleged as follows:
“SUPERVISION ORDER REQUIREMENTS
ALLEGED TO HAVE BEEN CONTRAVENED
(viii) comply with any reasonable direction under section 16B of
the Act given to him;
(ix) comply with every reasonable direction of a Corrective
Services officer that is not directly inconsistent with a
requirement of the order;
(xviii) disclose to an authorised Corrective Services officer, upon
request, the name of each person with whom he associates and
respond truthfully to requests for information from a
Corrective Services officer about the nature of the association,
address of the associate if known, the activities undertaken
and whether the associate has knowledge of his prior
offending behaviour;
(xxx) advise an authorised Corrective Services officer of the make,
model and telephone number of any mobile telephone owned,
2 Attorney-General (Qld) v Yeatman [2019] QSC 230; details of the criminal history shown at
paragraphs [11]-[15]; and see also Attorney-General for the State of Queensland v Yeatman [2019] 1
Qd R 89 at [11]-[12].
3 The history is explained in Attorney-General for the State of Queensland v Yeatman [2019] 1 Qd R 89
at [13]-[16]; and see also Attorney-General (Qld) v Yeatman [2019] QSC 230 at [18]-[20].
4 Dangerous Prisoners (Sexual Offenders) Act 2003, s 20.
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possessed or regularly utilised by him within 24 hours of
connection or commencement of use, and this includes
reporting any changes to mobile telephone details.
(xxxii) notify a Corrective Services officer of all personal
relationships entered into by the respondent.
FACTUAL BASIS OF CONTRAVENTION
On 29 March 2022, Mr Yeatman disclosed having contact with his
ex-partner at Westpac Bank in Stockland Shopping Centre. On
29 March 2021, Mr Yeatman was issued with a Reasonable Direction
‘You are prohibited from having any contact with C .... N .... without
prior approval of an authorised Corrective Services Officer. This
includes, however is not limited to, phone contact, in person contact,
written contact etc.’
On 6 April 2022, Queensland Police Services (QPS) conducted a
search warrant in Mr Yeatman’s room at the Townsville Contingency
Precinct. During the search QPS located an undisclosed mobile
phone on his person. Mr Yeatman denied that the phone belonged to
him however inspection of the device and checks with the server
confirm that the device was registered to Mr Yeatman and had been
since January 2021.
A review of the seized device revealed that Mr Yeatman had active
social media accounts including Facebook, Messenger and
Instagram. Mr Yeatman’s Facebook accounts were under ‘Ryan Jake
Mitchell’ and ‘Kai Morris’. On 16 September 2019, Mr Yeatman was
issued with a Reasonable Direction ‘Not sign up, create or participate
in any Facebook activities in accordance with the condition of your
Supervision Order’.
Mr Yeatman’s undisclosed device had ‘Easy Clean’ application
downloaded which may be indicative of removing history. On 13
September 2019, Mr Yeatman was issued with a Reasonable
Direction ‘NOT delete or hide any mobile phone data or information
from your mobile phone without approval of an authorised corrective
services officer. This includes, but is not limited to, incoming and
outgoing calls, incoming and outgoing text messages, emails,
multimedia messages, internet browsing history and applications’.
A review of text messages on the device highlights an undisclosed
association with a female saved in contacts as ‘M ...’. On 5 April
2022, Mr Yeatman sent an outgoing text message that states, ‘Yeah I
smashed My phone up when I was Drinkin the other night Ok’.
There are 32201 images on the device. Including thumbnail images
that depict a red substance which appears to be blood smeared on
Mr Yeatman’s face followed by what appears to be cutting wounds
and blood. There are self-images of Mr Yeatman taken at the
Townsville Contingency Precinct and outside the High Risk Offender
Manager Unit (HROMU) Office, several images of young females
including sexually explicit images, photoshopped images of
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Mr Yeatman and different females with love hearts and words
including ‘always’ and ‘forever always’, screenshot images from
TikTok, images of alcohol, sexually explicit images of Mr Yeatman
and photos of Mr Yeatman’s ex-partner.
A review of internet search history outlines Mr Yeatman’s access to
Pornhub with search terms of ‘Tiny black teens with braces’.”
Psychiatric/psychological evidence
[11] Evidence was received by way of reports from Dr Steve Morgan, psychologist and
from psychiatrists, Drs Scott Harden and Andrew Aboud. None of the witnesses were
required for cross-examination.
[12] Dr Harden diagnosed the respondent as suffering Anti-Social Personality Disorder
with some psychopathic personality features which may be starting to ameliorate with
age. He also diagnosed alcohol abuse and marijuana abuse, both being in remission
because of incarceration. He identified no suggestion of paraphilia such as sexual
sadism or paedophilia.
[13] As to risk assessment and recommendations, Dr Harden opined:
“Risk statement
This is my opinion that on the basis of the information available his
future risk of sexual reoffence continues to be moderate - high/above
average.
Risk issues of concern in this man continue to be substance
intoxication, violation of social rules and laws, lack of empathy for
other people and lack of vocational and social structure in the
community. These are exacerbated by his interpersonal coping style,
his strong desire for an intimate relationship, his relative lack of skills
in choosing an appropriate partner and maintaining the relationship.
In my opinion the monitoring, supports and abstinence from
substances associated with a supervision order continue to reduce his
risk of recidivism to moderate/average in the community.
In the absence of supervision in the community, he will rapidly return
to substance abuse and unregulated dysfunctional interpersonal
relationships with a high likelihood of development of domestic
violence.
Recommendations
I would recommend that he continue on the supervision order if
released into the community. A minimum period of remaining
supervision of 2 years (preferably 3) is required to allow time for his
compliance and relationship patterns to improve.
I have no suggestions for additional conditions for the supervision
order.
Close monitoring of intimate relationships should continue if he is
released into the community.
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Couple therapy should be considered if he is in intimate relationships.
Psychological therapy should continue if he is released into the
community.
I recommend that he be actively supported to seek appropriate
training and/or employment.”
[14] Dr Aboud diagnosed the respondent as suffering Anti-Social Personality Disorder
(with borderline traits); prominent features of psychopathy; alcohol dependence,
currently in remission; cannabis dependence, currently in remission.
[15] As to risk and recommendations, Dr Aboud opined:
“OVERALL RISK LEVEL & RECOMMENDATIONS
Taking into consideration the various actuarial and dynamic
assessments of future violence and sexual violence risk that have
been applied, it is my view that Mr Yeatman’s current overall
unmodified risk of reoffending through sexual violence and
nonsexual violence would be moderate to high. In coming to this
conclusion I take into account: the more worrying aspects of his
offending behaviour, including the impulsive, opportunistic and
predatory nature of his sexual violence; his use of physical coercion
and threats to control his victims; his sense of sexual entitlement,
leading to a direct link between a fractured intimate relationship, and
a maladaptive reaction using sexual violence; the historical problems
he has had with anger management, and coping with stress,
frustration, and relationship conflict and jealousy; his significant
history of alcohol and cannabis misuse, both implicated in his sexual
offending, and their potential relationship with maladaptive coping;
his previous and current relationship and intimacy difficulties; his
Cluster B (Antisocial and Borderline) personality traits (including
emotional lability and reactivity, with poor frustration tolerance and
adaptive coping skills) together with his prominent Psychopathic
traits. It is noteworthy and concerning that he has breached his
supervision order on numerous occasions.
There is some evidence that in recent years he has undergone some
maturation, and perhaps the fact that he most recently remained in the
community for 2½ years speaks to this. His tendency toward
substance use seems to have reduced. The problematic nature of his
relationship/s with women seem to have possibly also lessened.
However, while in the community he procured a secret second mobile
phone, connected and communicated with numerous women via
social media and text, and he also searched for pornography
(including possible deliberate search for child content, which he
denies).
He has now been in custody for over six months. In my opinion his
risk of reoffending sexually would be reduced to below moderate
in the context of the supervision order. If and when he is released
to the community, I highlight the following issues as important
considerations for future management: access to stable
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accommodation; abstinence from alcohol and substances;
enhancement of prosocial personal and family supports; management
of associations with criminogenic peers and peers who misuse
alcohol and substances; management of isolation and discretionary
time; efforts to enhance structured prosocial daily activities and
routine, and if possible by way of employment; continued provision
of professional support from a psychologist in the community (to
assist with adaptive coping, broad problem solving skills, emotional
regulation, ongoing motivational work regarding alcohol and
substance use vulnerabilities, and relationship stability); referral for
specialist relationship counselling and domestic violence
counselling, and also relationship management (when he is
maintaining a relationship); ongoing efforts to ensure effective
communication, in view of his deafness.”
[16] Dr Morgan is the respondent’s treating psychologist, but, at the time of preparation
of his report, he had limited contact with the respondent. Treatment with Dr Morgan
only commenced on 20 October 2021.
[17] Relevantly, Dr Morgan reported:
“Engagement in treatment
Mr Yeatman consistently attended treatment sessions in a punctual
manner. Over the initial span of four sessions from 20th October
2021, he impressed as committed to a treatment process. The
dominant treatment focus of that time informed by a review of his
expressed goals - was to aid him to fully comply with his Order (in
the context of sequential contraventions), review his relationship
history (and its influence on his situation/contraventions) and risk of
reoffending and to develop a positive sense of selfhood and identity.
He discussed the latter as his dominant goal, as he discussed a
historical paucity of attachments and self-value, this a salient source
of low mood and possibly resentment (that may be relevant in respect
of his complex and problematic relationship history - however that
could not be assertively gauged within my span of contact with him).
A further aim would have been to develop longer-term prosocial
goals (that impressed as somewhat absent), that may conceivably be
addressed within future treatment with an alternative provider.
His engagement was somewhat terse from February 2022, as he
offered his understanding that a letter offered by myself to Ms Hoyer
was not of value to a hearing in respect of Order contravention - this
pertaining to his contact with a former partner (that he argued
coincidental, rather than planned). This impresses as having affected
to some degree the quality of interaction within 2022 sessions, within
which he impressed as reserved and ill-disposed to extend himself
beyond discussions of his general welfare and the immediate goals of
a visit to his mother at Yarrabah and a brother on Palm Island.
Notably, at the time of attending his final session of 4th April 2022,
he did not disclose his recent Queensland Police Service contact or
any sense of worry, but after which I understand he has been subject
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to a further charge (or charges) and has been returned to custody. His
choice to disclose or not disclose this or indeed any contact (or for
that matter any associated concern) within a treatment session is
clearly a matter for Mr Yeatman. Irrespective, it does suggest limited
purchase in terms of rapport and the therapeutic relationship.
I am obliged to the view of limited rapport or therapeutic traction
being gained across my span of contact with Mr Yeatman. A strategy
had been (particularly in 2022) to develop such a therapeutic alliance,
however that does not impress as effective. This may parallel
challenges in supervision and possibly prior psychological treatment.
It would be useful for any future treating psychologist to engage with
prior practitioners in order to consider prior effective strategic
approaches in order to maximise any future therapeutic alliance.
An assessment of his current risk factors relevant to risk of sexual
offending
Mr Yeatman attended eight sessions of intervention, within which
limited progress was made in therapeutic terms. During that period,
he notably re-attended Court on the basis of a 2021 Order
contravention (that became an appreciable focus) and was latterly
returned to custody. I have not been provided QP9, Court Brief or
other information in regard to any current charges, thus cannot offer
any detailed view of their basis or thus a view on his risk may be
accordingly altered.
Given that I have not been able to review such QP9, Court Brief or
other information - I cannot offer a detailed view of these recent
matters, nor a view on how risk may be accordingly altered. I am
however obliged to note concern for his evident limited capacity to
comply with his Order/supervision, documented challenging contacts
with former intimate partners (suggestive of focal relationship-
oriented treatment needs) and his limited treatment responsivity
arguably reflective of internal barriers to engagement and potentially
the external barrier arising from treatment being mandated.
I note comments (including on risk) as expressed within the 30th July
2019 expert report by Dr Harden (Psychiatrist):
‘There has been a previous pattern of deceptive behaviour
towards supervisory staff and then alternating belligerence and
emotional instability and crying when detected.
He has continued to form relationships with women that are
highly emotionally intense and where he is prone to emotional
instability, jealousy, insecurity and threatening and/or
aggressive behaviour. This mirrors his offence pathway with
his earlier sexual offences. This has likely been further
exacerbated by his hearing difficulties’;
‘He has Antisocial Personality Disorder, Alcohol Abuse and
Marijuana Abuse, but there are no features to suggest that he
has a paraphilia’;
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‘... on the basis of the information available his future risk of
sexual reoffence continues to be moderate - high/above
average’;
‘Issues in this man in my opinion continue to be substance
intoxication, violation of social rules and laws, lack of
empathy for other people and lack of vocational and
social structure in the community. These are exacerbated
by his interpersonal coping style, his strong desire for an
intimate relationship, his relative lack of skills in
choosing an appropriate partner and maintaining the
relationship’; &
‘In the absence of supervision in the community, he will
rapidly return to substance abuse and unregulated
dysfunctional interpersonal relationships with a high
likelihood of development of domestic violence’.
Recommendations for future treatment
Given a limited therapeutic relationship and allied responsivity
factors, also my limited span my contact with him, it is difficult to
offer assertive views by way of future recommendations. This
established, I may offer the following comments:
1. As rapport and responsivity would seem critical concerns within
2021-22 intervention, a focus may be to develop a meaningful
level of working rapport - that may take some months and may
be challenging to achieve. I believe that he would benefit from
attending a practitioner with expertise in this area of practice
and who may confer with previous treating practitioners to
discuss efficacious future approaches.
2. He may attend sessions on a 2-4 weekly basis - as he may
struggle to tolerate more frequent sessions - and with any less
frequent attendance unlikely to allow treatment gains.
3. An assessment of risk would seem likely best available by an
independently assessment proves, such as again by Dr Harden.”
Statutory context
[18] The objects of the DPSOA are two-fold, namely the protection of the community and
the control, care and treatment of certain prisoners to facilitate their rehabilitation.5
Those prisoners the subject of the DPSOA are those who have committed a “serious
sexual offence”6 which is defined as “an offence of a sexual nature … involving
violence” or “an offence of a sexual nature … against a child”.7
5 Dangerous Prisoners (Sexual Offenders) Act 2003, s 3 and see generally Fardon v Attorney-General
(Qld) (2004) 223 CLR 575.
6 Section 5(6).
7 Section 2 and the Schedule 1 (Dictionary).
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[19] The Attorney-General may apply to the court for an order that such a prisoner either
continue to be detained or released only on supervision.8
[20] Section 13 is a pivotal section in the DPSOA and its terms are relevant to proceedings
such as the present where a breach of a supervision order is alleged. Section 13 is in
these terms, relevantly here:
“13 Division 3 orders
(1) This section applies if, on the hearing of an application
for a division 3 order, the court is satisfied the prisoner is
a serious danger to the community in the absence of a
division 3 order (a serious danger to the community).
(2) A prisoner is a serious danger to the community as
mentioned in subsection (1) if there is an unacceptable
risk that the prisoner will commit a serious sexual
offence—
(a) if the prisoner is released from custody; or
(b) if the prisoner is released from custody without a
supervision order being made. …
(5) If the court is satisfied as required under subsection (1),
the court may order—
(a) that the prisoner be detained in custody for an
indefinite term for control, care or treatment
(continuing detention order); or
(b) that the prisoner be released from custody subject
to the requirements it considers appropriate that are
stated in the order (supervision order).
(6) In deciding whether to make an order under subsection
(5)(a) or (b)—
(a) the paramount consideration is to be the need to
ensure adequate protection of the community; and
(b) the court must consider whether—
(i) adequate protection of the community can be
reasonably and practicably managed by a
supervision order; and
(ii) requirements under section 16 can be
reasonably and practicably managed by
corrective services officers. …”
[21] Therefore:
8 Sections 13, 14 and 15.
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1. the test under s 13 is whether the prisoner is “a serious danger to the
community”;9
2. that initial question is answered by determining whether there is an
“unacceptable risk that the prisoner will commit a serious sexual offence”10 if
no order is made; and
3. if that conclusion is reached, then a supervision order (as opposed to a
continuing detention order) can only be made where the adequate protection of
the community can be ensured by the making of a supervision order;11 but
4. where “adequate protection of the community” can be ensured by a supervision
order, then the making of a supervision order ought to be preferred to the
making of a continuing detention order.12
[22] Breach of a supervision order has consequences under Division 5 of Part 2 of the
DPSOA. Section 20 provides, relevantly:
“20 Warrant for released prisoner suspected of contravening a
supervision order or interim supervision order
(1) This section applies if a police officer or corrective services
officer reasonably suspects a released prisoner is likely to
contravene, is contravening, or has contravened, a
requirement of the released prisoner’s supervision order or
interim supervision order.
(2) The officer may, by a complaint to a magistrate, apply for
a warrant for the arrest of the released prisoner directed to
all police officers and corrective services officers to arrest
the released prisoner and bring the released prisoner before
the Supreme Court to be dealt with according to law.
(3) The magistrate must issue the warrant, in the approved
form, if the magistrate is satisfied the grounds for issuing
the warrant exist.
(4) However, the warrant may be issued only if the complaint
is under oath.
(6) The warrant may state the suspected contravention in
general terms. …”
[23] Section 22 provides, relevantly here:
“22 Court may make further order
(1) The following subsections apply if the court is satisfied,
on the balance of probabilities, that the released prisoner
9 Section 13(1).
10 Section 13(1) and (2).
11 Section 13(6).
12 Attorney-General v Francis [2007] 1 Qd R 396 at [39]; Attorney-General (Qld) v Yeo [2008] QCA
115; Attorney-General v Lawrence [2010] 1 Qd R 505; LAB v Attorney-General [2011] QCA 230;
Attorney-General for the State of Queensland v Ellis [2012] QCA 182; Attorney-General (Qld) v
Fardon [2013] QCA 64.
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is likely to contravene, is contravening, or has
contravened, a requirement of the supervision order or
interim supervision order (each the existing order).
(2) Unless the released prisoner satisfies the court, on the
balance of probabilities, that the adequate protection of the
community can, despite the contravention or likely
contravention of the existing order, be ensured by the
existing order as amended under subsection (7), the court
must—
(a) if the existing order is a supervision order, rescind
it and make a continuing detention order; or
(b) if the existing order is an interim supervision order,
rescind it and make an order that the released
prisoner be detained in custody for the period
stated in the order. …
(7) If the released prisoner satisfies the court, on the balance
of probabilities, that the adequate protection of the
community can, despite the contravention or likely
contravention of the existing order, be ensured by a
supervision order or interim supervision order, the court—
(a) must amend the existing order to include all of the
requirements under section 16(1) if the order does
not already include all of those requirements; and
(b) may otherwise amend the existing order in a way
the court considers appropriate—
(i) to ensure adequate protection of the
community; or
(ii) for the prisoner’s rehabilitation or care or
treatment. …”
[24] Proceedings on an alleged breach of a supervision order are commenced by the issue
of a warrant under s 20. As a matter of practice, the Attorney-General files an
application seeking orders under s 22.13 That is what occurred here and the particulars
of the alleged breach, as stated in the application, appear in paragraph [10] of these
reasons.
[25] Section 22 of the DPSOA provides that if a contravention is proved, the onus then
shifts to the prisoner to satisfy the court that their continuation on supervision in the
community will ensure the adequate protection of the community.14 Otherwise, the
court must rescind the supervision order and make a continuing detention order.15
13 Attorney-General (Qld) v Sands [2016] QSC 225.
14 Section 22(7).
15 Section 22(2).
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The concept of “the adequate protection of the community” in s 22(7) has the same
meaning as it bears in s 13.16
[26] The issue under s 22 of the DPSOA is not whether there is an unacceptable risk that
the respondent will breach the supervision order. The issue is whether there is an
unacceptable risk that he will commit a serious sexual offence.17
Consideration
[27] As already observed, the breach is admitted18 and I find that the respondent has
contravened a requirement of the supervision order made by Justice Philippides on
30 June 2014.
[28] Dr Aboud opines that upon release on the supervision order, Mr Yeatman’s risk of
reoffending sexually would be reduced to below moderate. Dr Harden thought the
supervision order reduced the respondent’s risk of sexual recidivism to moderate-
average in the community.
[29] As already observed, an object of the DPSOA is the protection of the community
against the commission of a serious sexual offence. Mr Yeatman has, while in the
community since the making of the supervision order, committed various breaches,
but has not committed a serious sexual offence.
[30] Based on the psychiatric and psychological evidence, which I accept, the respondent
has satisfied me on the balance of probabilities that the adequate protection of the
community can, despite the contravention, be ensured by releasing him on the
existing supervision order.
[31] For those reasons, I made the order which I did.
16 Kynuna v Attorney-General [2016] QCA 172 at [60] and see also Turnbull v Attorney-General (Qld)
[2015] QCA 54 at [36].
17 Attorney-General (Qld) v Francis [2012] QSC 275 at [64]-[67].
18 See paragraph [2] of these reasons.
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Official source: https://www.sclqld.org.au/caselaw/QSC/2022/256