Attorney-General v McDonagh [2020] QSC 227
SUPREME COURT OF QUEENSLAND
CITATION: Attorney-General v McDonagh [2020] QSC 227
PARTIES: ATTORNEY-GENERAL FOR THE STATE OF
QUEENSLAND
(Applicant)
v
ANDREW ROSS McDONAGH
(Respondent)
FILE NO/S: BS 3196 of 2020
DIVISION: Trial Division
PROCEEDING: Application
ORIGINATING
COURT:
Supreme Court at Brisbane
DELIVERED ON: 29 July 2020
DELIVERED AT: Brisbane
HEARING DATE: 20 July 2020
JUDGE: Jackson J
ORDER: The order of the Court is that:
1. Andrew Ross McDonagh be detained in custody for an
indefinite term for control, care or treatment.
CATCHWORDS: CRIMINAL LAW – SENTENCE – SENTENCING
ORDERS – ORDERS AND DECLARATIONS RELATING
TO SERIOUS OR VIOLENT OFFENDERS OR
DANGEROUS SEXUAL OFFENDERS – DANGEROUS
SEXUAL OFFENDER – GENERALLY – where the
applicant applied for a division 3 order under the Dangerous
Prisoners (Sexual Offenders) Act 2003 (Qld) – where the
respondent was convicted of serious sexual offences within
the meaning of the Act – where the respondent is a serious
danger to the community – whether adequate protection of
the community can be reasonably and practically managed by
a supervision order – where the psychiatric evidence
indicated a high level of risk that the respondent will commit
another serious sexual offence if released from custody
without a supervision order – whether the respondent should
be detained in custody for the purpose of further treatment
Child Protection (Offender Reporting and Offender
Prohibition Order) Act 2004, s 50(1)
Criminal Code (Qld), s 210, s 218, s 218A, s 228C, s 228D
Dangerous Prisoners’ (Sexual Offenders) Act 2003 (Qld), s 5,
s 8, s 11, s 13, s 16
-- 1 of 11 --
2
Liquor Act 1992 (Qld), s 156A (1)
Attorney General v Francis [2007] 1 Qd R 396
Attorney-General (Qld) v Carter [2020] QSC 217
COUNSEL: J Tate for the Applicant
J Benjamin for the Respondent
SOLICITORS: Crown Solicitor for the Applicant
Legal Aid Queensland for the Respondent
Jackson J:
[1] This is an application under section 13 of the Dangerous Prisoners’ (Sexual
Offenders) Act 2003 (Qld) (“the Act”) for either a continuing detention order or a
supervision order.
[2] The questions are:
Whether the respondent is a serious danger to the community?1
Whether adequate protection of the community can be reasonably and
practicably managed by a supervision order (and whether the requirements
under section 16 of the Act can reasonably and practicably be managed by
corrective services officers)?2
What requirements, beyond those that a supervision order must contain by
section 16 of the Act, would be appropriate to include in any supervision order?
[3] There is a dispute as to the second and third questions, but the parties agree that the
answer to the first question is “yes”, accepting that the court must form its own views
on each of the relevant questions and as to the exercise of the discretionary power to
make an order that may be engaged.
Index offences
[4] The respondent is a 56 year old divorced man, who was 38 years of age at the time of
some of the index offences and 51 years of age at the time of others.
[5] On 28 November 2016 the respondent was convicted of serious sexual offences, all
committed between 1 April 2002 and 13 October 2002. A complaint was not made
until 2015. There were three offences of administering a drug for the purpose of a
sexual act3 and 17 offences of indecent treatment of a child under 16. They comprised
an offence of wilfully and unlawfully exposing a child under the age of 16 years to
an indecent act,4 three offences of wilfully exposing a child under the age of 16 years
to an indecent film,5 an offence of unlawfully procuring a child under the age of 16
1 Dangerous Prisoners’ (Sexual Offenders) Act 2003 (Qld), s 13(1) – (4).
2 Dangerous Prisoners’ (Sexual Offenders) Act 2003 (Qld), s 13(5) – (6).
3 Criminal Code (Qld), s 218(1)(c).
4 Criminal Code (Qld), s 210(1)(d).
5 Criminal Code (Qld), s 210(1)(e).
-- 2 of 11 --
3
years to commit an indecent act,6 10 offences of unlawfully and indecently dealing
with a child under the age of 16 years7 and two offences of unlawfully permitting
himself to be indecently dealt with by a child under the age of 16 years.8
[6] For some of those offences, it was ordered that the respondent be imprisoned for a
period of five years. For others, it was ordered that the respondent be imprisoned for
a period of four years. All of the sentences were ordered to be served concurrently.
[7] Those offences involved a single victim over three episodes. The victim was aged
between 12 and 13 at the time of the offending. The respondent met the victim at a
scout camp. He gave him some alcohol when they were alone in a tent. Later they
arranged to go jet skiing. On the journey there, the respondent stopped the vehicle
and offered the victim alcohol. He showed the victim pornography on his computer
involving males and females. The respondent pulled his penis out of his shorts and
began stroking it. After encouragement the victim did the same and they watched
pornography together. The respondent touched the victim’s penis while masturbating
himself and later leaned over and put the victim’s penis in his mouth. The respondent
requested the victim to masturbate him, which the victim did. The respondent offered
him alcohol again.
[8] The second episode occurred at the respondent’s home. The respondent offered the
victim alcohol, and showed him pornography on the respondent’s laptop involving
males and females. The respondent touched the victim’s penis on the outside of his
shorts and showed him some sex toys. The respondent took the victim’s penis out of
his shorts and began to masturbate him, performed oral sex on him and inserted his
finger and a vibrator into the victim’s anus. The respondent encouraged the victim to
insert his penis into a sex toy.
[9] The third episode occurred when the victim stayed with the respondent, together with
the respondent’s children, at a hotel. The respondent purchased alcohol which he
gave to the victim and invited him into the bedroom to watch pornography of males
and females. The respondent touched the victim’s penis. They each masturbated
while watching the pornography. The respondent then kissed the victim, exposed the
victim’s penis, started rubbing it, and performed oral sex on the victim. He asked the
victim to touch his own penis, which the victim did briefly. The respondent attempted
to penetrate the victim’s anus with his finger. The victim masturbated himself while
the respondent performed oral sex on him.
[10] Also on 28 November 2016, the respondent was convicted of an offence of possessing
child exploitation material9 on dates between 2 June 2013 and 1 August 2015, an
offence of distributing child exploitation material10 on dates between 26 December
2014 and 16 February 2016, and eight offences of failing to comply with a reporting
obligation.11
[11] For those offences it was ordered that the respondent be imprisoned for three years
for the offence of possessing child exploitation material, two years for the offence of
6 Criminal Code (Qld), s 210(1)(b).
7 Criminal Code (Qld), s 210(1)(a).
8 Criminal Code (Qld), s 210(1)(c).
9 Criminal Code (Qld), s 228D(1)(b).
10 Criminal Code (Qld), s 228C(1)(b).
11 Child Protection (Offender Reporting and Offender Prohibition Order) Act 2004, s 50(1).
-- 3 of 11 --
4
distributing child exploitation material and 18 months on each of the offences of
failing to comply with the reporting obligation, all to be served concurrently but
cumulative upon the balance of a suspended sentence that was activated on the same
day.
[12] The child exploitation material contained 47 unique movies and 264 images of naked
children, mainly boys aged between six and 16, engaged in sexualised posing and
boys engaged in solo masturbation. Some movies showed penetrative sexual activity
between children and adults, as well as penetrative sexual activity between children.
There were some images of touching sexual activity between children. The
distributing child exploitation material offence consisted of the respondent sending
two emails to others containing child exploitation material.
[13] Also on 28 November 2016, the respondent was dealt with for breach of a suspended
sentence imposed on 18 September 2012 as extended on 28 February 2014. The
balance of the suspended sentence for a period of 684 days was activated.
[14] Taking into account the presentence custody that was relevant, the respondent’s full
time release date for the index offences is 30 July 2020.
Earlier sexual offences
[15] The respondent has a relevant earlier criminal history of serious sexual offences.
[16] On 20 April 2007, the respondent was convicted of 18 offences of a sexual nature.
They comprised six offences of wilfully exposing a child under the age of 16 years to
an indecent film,12 three offences of unlawfully and indecently dealing with a child
under the age of 16 years,13 an offence of unlawfully procuring a child under the age
of 16 years to commit an indecent act,14 an offence of wilfully and unlawfully
exposing a child under the age of 16 years to an indecent act,15 four offences of using
the internet with intent to expose a child under the age of 16 years to an indecent
matter,16 two offences of using the internet to procure a child under the age of 16
years to engage in a sexual act17 and one offence of possessing child exploitation
material.18
[17] It was ordered that the respondent be imprisoned for 16 months, to be suspended after
serving four months for an operational period of three years.
[18] The respondent was between 40 and 41 years of age at the time of the offending.
There were two victims: the first was 12 to 13 years of age, the second was 14 to 15
years of age.
[19] There were two episodes of offending. The first took place between July 2004 and
November 2005. The respondent stayed with the first victim’s family and showed
him sexual images on the respondent’s computer of women and used his mobile
12 Criminal Code (Qld), s 210 (1)(e)
13 Criminal Code (Qld), s 210(1)(a).
14 Criminal Code (Qld), s 210(1)(b).
15 Criminal Code (Qld), s 210(1)(d).
16 Criminal Code (Qld), s 218A(1)(b).
17 Criminal Code (Qld), s 218A(1)(a).
18 Criminal Code (Qld), s 228D(1)(b).
-- 4 of 11 --
5
telephone or computer to send images to the victim. On another occasion the
respondent engaged the victim in an internet chat room and expressed the intention
to send pornographic images to him to view. On 13 November 2005, the respondent
possessed 67 images of children aged 10 to 12 years, classified as child exploitation
material.
[20] The second episode occurred between January and April 2005. The respondent met
the second victim and his friend and invited them to the respondent’s house. The
respondent showed the victim pornographic films on his computer. The victim and
his friend stayed overnight at the respondent’s house. The next morning, the
respondent again showed the victim pornographic films and later placed a vibrator
against the victim’s penis and produced a condom for the victim to put on. A few
days later, they met and drove to a location where they both got into the back seat of
the car and the respondent showed the victim images of men and women engaged in
sexual activities with animals, placed a vibrator against the victim’s penis and tried
to kiss him. The victim resisted by punching the respondent and moving away.
Sometime later, another encounter occurred and on that occasion, the respondent
masturbated in front of the victim.
[21] On 18 September 2012, the respondent was convicted of an offence of wilfully
exposing a child under the age of 16 years to an indecent film19 and an offence of
unlawfully and indecently dealing with a child under the age of 16 years.20 Both
offences occurred on 1 February 2012. It was ordered that the respondent be
imprisoned for two years and six months for each offence to be suspended for three
years after serving 228 days.
[22] Also on 18 September 2012, the respondent was convicted of an offence of possessing
child exploitation material21 and an offence of irresponsible supply of liquor to a
minor in a private place,22 again both offences occurred on 1 February 2012. It was
ordered that the respondent be imprisoned for a period of twelve months for the
offence of possessing child exploitation material and he was not further punished for
the offence of irresponsible supply of liquor to a minor in a private place. All
sentences were to be served concurrently.
[23] Those offences related to a male victim of 14 years of age at the time. The offences
occurred at a hotel where the respondent lived and worked. The respondent offered
the victim work as a dish hand. The respondent gave the victim a uniform and offered
him to have a shower in the respondent’s room. The respondent made an alcoholic
drink which he offered, but the victim refused. The respondent invited the victim to
come back to his room after his shift, where he again showered. The victim drank a
small quantity of a mixed drink and the respondent showed him pornography on his
laptop and television. The respondent put his hand on the victim’s knee and ran it up
his thigh when the victim pushed him away and told him to stop. The respondent
turned off the television. The victim collected his belongings and left.
19 Criminal Code (Qld), s 210(1)(e).
20 Criminal Code (Qld), s 210(1)(a).
21 Criminal Code (Qld), s 228D (1)(b).
22 Liquor Act 1992 (Qld), s 156A (1).
-- 5 of 11 --
6
[24] The victim complained to the police shortly afterwards. The police searched the
respondent’s property and located child exploitation material on the respondent’s
laptop which consisted largely of males aged 14 to 15 posing naked for photographs.
Psychiatric report and risk assessment reports
[25] The respondent has been examined by three psychiatrists who prepared reports that
were tendered at the hearing of the application. Each of the psychiatrists also gave
oral evidence. The report by Dr Beech was prepared for the purpose of the
preliminary hearing23 upon the application for an order under section 8 of the Act to
set a date for the hearing of this application.24 By that order, the respondent was
ordered to undergo examination by two psychiatrists who were to prepare
independent reports.25 The reports by Dr Moyle (including an addendum) and Dr
Timmins were risk assessment reports26 prepared under section 11 of the Act, for the
purposes of this hearing as a result of those ordered examinations.
[26] Each of the psychiatrists opined that the respondent suffers from a paedophilic
disorder. Dr Beech says that he has a sexual deviance of hebephilia, an attraction to
underage pubescent males, but it is not an exclusive sexual deviance. As well, has an
alcohol use disorder in remission in prison and significant avoidant personality
disorder traits. Dr Moyle says the respondent has a life history of alcohol use disorder
and paraphilias, including the boundary of paedophilia and hebephilia and a
suggestion of bestiality. Dr Timmins says the respondent most likely meets the
DSM-IV-TR criteria for paedophilia, attracted to males, non-exclusive, has an alcohol
use disorder with likely dependence and evidence of an avoidant personality disorder.
[27] In April 2017, the respondent declined the getting started preparatory program, and
again rejected a similar program on 12 March 2018 and in 2019. On 15 February
2019, he said that he wished to engage with individual interventional counselling for
sex offending.
[28] From 4 March 2019 to 10 June 2019, the respondent attended individual or one on
one sessions with Dr Oertel, a psychologist, who produced a report for the
respondent’s application for parole made at the end of July 2019. Since then he has
completed further sessions with another psychologist, Ms Piat. There have been
possibly 15 sessions overall, and he feels he has benefitted.
[29] The reports of the psychologists on those sessions provide some support for the
respondent having gained some insight, but one dated 17 June 2019 commented on
his never having engaged previously in any form of psychological treatment for his
mental disorder (described as complex trauma and PTSD), alcohol abuse or sexual
offending behaviour, although describing the respondent as then highly motivated to
engage in treatment services to address his psychosexual functioning and offending
behaviour. The most recent report dated 1 April 2020 noted the respondent’s anxiety
and recommended that the respondent would continue to benefit from engaging in
sessions which at that time were interrupted by COVID-19 restrictions.
23 Dangerous Prisoners’ (Sexual Offenders) Act 2003 (Qld), s 5(3).
24 Dangerous Prisoners’ (Sexual Offenders) Act 2003 (Qld), s 8(1).
25 Dangerous Prisoners’ (Sexual Offenders) Act 2003 (Qld), s 8(2).
26 Dangerous Prisoners’ (Sexual Offenders) Act 2003 (Qld), s 11(1).
-- 6 of 11 --
7
[30] In a six page handwritten document dated 6 August 2019, produced by the respondent
in support of his parole application, he set out his understanding of his criminal
behaviours, substance abuse, mental health, relationship and community support,
proposed accommodation and key risks of reoffending. As to the latter, he
acknowledged his sexual interest in children, the risk situations where he engages
with alcohol and young people, that he uses sex as a coping mechanism, that he does
not follow rules, his impulsivity and other factors.
[31] Each of the psychiatrists expressed opinions relevant to the level of risk that the
respondent would commit another serious sexual offence if released from custody
without a supervision order.
[32] Dr Beech opined that the risk of further offending is high. The respondent did not
commit a contact offence between the 2012 conviction and the 2015 arrest and was
in the community during that time. However, he repeatedly failed to comply with the
reporting conditions and continued to access child exploitation material. He was
employed, but continued to abuse alcohol. Dr Beech did not consider the respondent
had properly addressed the factors that make him vulnerable to offending, being his
sexual deviance and use of sex for coping, sexual preoccupation and problems with
intimate relationships. The extent of his sexual preoccupation is indicated by the
respondent’s persistent possession of child exploitation material even though arrested
and on bail and serving a suspended sentence.
[33] Dr Beech considers the risk is that on release without formal treatment, the respondent
will return to his former ways, returning to drinking, use of child exploitation material
and if the opportunity arises, to commit an offence against a vulnerable male child.
[34] Dr Moyle considers that without a supervision order, the respondent is a moderately
high risk of reoffending, that goes to a high risk if intoxicated with alcohol or events
that leave him unmotivated to avoid alcohol and child sexual excitement.
[35] Dr Timmins is of the opinion that the respondent will be a high risk of offending in a
sexual manner if released into the community without a supervision order. In her
view, he has limited insight into his sexual behaviour and his avoidances likely
present a barrier to effective management.
[36] In my view, there is acceptable cogent evidence of sufficient weight to justify the
decision to a high degree of probability that there is an unacceptable risk that the
respondent will commit a serious sexual offence if released from custody without a
supervision order being made and is a serious danger to the community in the absence
of a division 3 order.27 Accordingly, I find that the respondent is a serious danger to
the community if released from custody without a supervision order.
[37] I recently discussed the general requirements of a supervision order in a case with
some similarities to the present.28 Each of the psychiatrists considered the effect of a
supervision order on the level of the respondent’s risk of committing another serious
sexual offence or considered a supervision order in a way that is relevant to the
assessment of that level.
27 Dangerous Prisoners’ (Sexual Offenders) Act 2003 (Qld), s 13(2)-(3).
28 Attorney-General (Qld) v Carter [2020] QSC 217, [43]-[50] and Schedule. That case did not involve
a relationship between the offending and alcohol abuse.
-- 7 of 11 --
8
[38] Dr Beech considered that a supervision order might reduce the risk, but the
respondent’s failure to comply with the reporting conditions over the years was a poor
sign as was his continued offending with child exploitation material despite being
subject to community release orders such as bail, probation and a suspended sentence.
Dr Beech, however, (as it was not his function in preparing a report for section 8) did
not express comparative or quantitative views as to the level of risk on a supervision
order.
[39] Dr Moyle did not address the level of risk of the respondent reoffending on a
supervision order in his report. Rather, he expressed views as to treatment that the
respondent should undergo before being released upon a supervision order. There are
difficulties with that form of opinion in relation to the questions that the court is
required to answer on this application as I discussed recently in another case.29 Dr
Moyle expressed the opinion that while a supervision order may lower the
respondent’s risk to a moderate level from a high level “if he adheres”, he doubted
that the respondent would find it easier to adhere until “he faces his fears in custody
and addresses his paedophilic and hebephilic interests, his anxious avoidance and
oppositional defiance and his alcohol use disorder, and having done so prepares an
adequate release plan to inform the conditions of a supervision order”.
[40] In Dr Moyle’s addendum report, he specifically addressed the level of risk if the
respondent were released under a supervision order. In Dr Moyle’s opinion, the
respondent is unlikely to adhere to supervision requirements. Dr Moyle points to the
respondent not meeting reporting requirements and not seeking out treatment whilst
released into the community under previous orders. I note that Dr Moyle describes
them as supervision orders under parole and probation, which is not an accurate
description.
[41] In oral evidence, Dr Moyle emphasised the respondent’s history, in that he tends to
go places where he can get on with life the way he wants to, rather than according to
restrictions placed on him and that he had not clearly indicated an ability to think
through all of the issues that are to do with his rehabilitation for a lowering of the risk
factors that contribute to the way he assessed risk. On a supervision order, he still
considered the respondent to be a high risk without having completed a high intensity
sexual offenders Program (‘HISOP’) and further one-on-one counselling sessions.
[42] Dr Timmins expressed the view in her report that the respondent’s risk may be
modified by a supervision order and he would most likely fall into a moderate risk
category, but only after treatment targeting his sexual deviance, sexual offending and
substance use.
[43] In oral evidence, Dr Timmins said that if released on a supervision order without
treatment, the respondent would probably still fall at the top end under the moderately
high risk, because he has not assisted himself in the reduction of his own risk to the
community. In her mind, the respondent did not really understand his offending
pathway or what the risk factors were that would increase his risk. He could not
explain how to manage himself better. Accordingly, release under a supervision order
without treatment would be limited to the provisions of the order reducing the risk,
not the respondent himself engaging in reduction of his risk.
29 Attorney-General (Qld) v Carter [2020] QSC 217. However, it is not necessary to expand on those
questions further in the present case.
-- 8 of 11 --
9
[44] To some extent, these views echo an approach which would require a respondent to
agree to undertake an HISOP and other treatments as suggested, because that would
or might lower the level of risk of committing another serious sexual offence without
squarely engaging upon the question whether, in the absence of those steps, the effect
of making a supervision order with appropriate requirements would reduce the level
of the risk to moderate, in any event. However, the overall impression of the evidence
I gleaned was that the combination of the factors affecting the level of the
respondent’s risk was such that his level, in particular, remained high in the absence
of the potential effects of the further treatments recommended.
[45] Against this, the respondent relies on the course of treatment in which he is engaged
with two psychologists whilst in prison, Dr Oertel and Ms Piat, Dr Oertel said in her
report dated 17 June 2019:
“Mr McDonagh has participated in six individual treatment sessions
at the Maryborough Correctional Centre since the 04 March 2019 with
his most recent appointment being 10 June 2019. Mr McDonagh has
been pleasant and cooperative during the treatment sessions. It is
perceived that a good level of rapport has been achieved and Mr
McDonagh’s engagement in treatment appears genuine. Mr
McDonagh admits to and accepts responsibility for his acts of sexual
offending as well as the consequences of those acts.”
[46] None of the examining psychiatrists appeared to consider that the results of the one
on one sessions between the respondent and Dr Oertel and Ms Piat answered their
concerns as to the level of risk that the respondent will commit another serious sexual
offence if released under a supervision order.
[47] Dr Moyle considered that the psychologists reports describe the respondent as having
insight as to the role anxiety plays in his offending pathway, but also highlighted that
the issues to do with his sexual deviance are not addressed at this stage.
[48] Dr Timmins considered that the more recent session reports with Ms Piat did not
really have an impact on her views about the respondent’s insight into his own sexual
offending and how it occurs. In her view, when it comes to a more complex, in depth
understanding of himself and why he might offend and what would raise his risk of
offending, he could not tell her the scenarios nor could he then go to the next step of
telling her what he would do instead of offending. He had no real plans or strategies
that he could do instead of that. She considered that it would be a bit misleading to
say that the respondent demonstrated a fairly significant degree of insight in what his
offending had been and how it had occurred and why.
[49] Another point raised by the respondent was that although an HISOP would not be
available to him if he were released from custody on a supervision order, he might
obtain similar or some of the benefits of that program by performing a medium
intensity sexual offender program (‘MISOP’) in the community instead. Dr Timmins
agreed that it would provide him with some benefits. She also considered that
individual therapy can assist in managing anxiety of the kind that the respondent has.
[50] Dr Beech considered the alternative of a MISOP to be a difficult question because the
respondent’s level of offending would require an HISOP that would not be available
to him in the community, but that a MISOP would still offer assistance. As well,
-- 9 of 11 --
10
individual counselling would address risk factors like anxiety and alcohol abuse and
could even be used to address the sexual attraction, but the evidence for reducing the
risk of offending was really with group programs and the cognitive behavioural
therapy group programs.
[51] Dr Moyle agreed that the contents of the reports from the psychologists support that
the respondent had reasonable insight into his sexual drives, but that did not appear
to affect his overall conclusions as to the level of risk.
[52] Niclaire Byrne is the acting manager in the Offender Intervention Unit, Rehabilitation
and Management Services within Queensland Corrective Services. She said that the
HISOP was designed for people who had been assessed as being a high risk of sexual
recidivism. There are a number of staff who are trained in the relevant assessments
for determining the level of risk of sexual recidivism with a view to determining who
is eligible or appropriate for which program. She said that her unit would not
advocate for someone to be released under a supervision order if they were a high
risk of reoffending because the MISOP would not give all of the treatment hours
required to address the risk and offending needs. If a prisoner were assessed as high
risk, there was nothing that would reduce the required level of intervention to
something that would make the MISOP appropriate for that prisoner, in her view.
However, despite repeated attempts by the respondent’s counsel, she would not
answer the question whether it was better to have some form of group therapy
intervention, such as the MISOP, than none at all, for a prisoner who was assessed as
requiring an HISOP.
[53] In my view, upon the paramount consideration of the need to ensure the adequate
protection of the community, the evidence is equivocal as to whether that protection
can be reasonably and practicably managed by a supervision order on the
requirements contained in the draft order that was handed up for consideration.
[54] There must be a concern that if so detained, the respondent will not engage in an
HISOP or other treatment that is recommended or offered to him in order to better
manage his risk of committing another serious sexual offence if released from custody
with or without a supervision order being made. He does not appear to be obliged to
do so.30 It seems unsatisfactory to find that continuing detention is, inter alia, “for…
treatment”31 when that outcome is not one that will necessarily be achieved.
[55] But the court cannot foretell the future. The best that can be done is to make the
required findings on the evidence having regard to the considerations that must be
taken into account under the provisions of the Act on the hearing of this application.
On the evidence as it presently stands, in my view, the conclusion is required that the
court is not satisfied that the protection of the community can be reasonably and
practicably managed by a supervision order.32
[56] Because of the paramount consideration of the need to ensure the adequate protection
of the community, in my view, that results in the conclusion that the respondent
30 Attorney-General (Qld) v Carter [2020] QSC 217, [62].
31 Dangerous Prisoners’ (Sexual Offenders) Act 2003 (Qld), s 13(5)(a).
32 Dangerous Prisoners’ (Sexual Offenders) Act 2003 (Qld), s 13(6)(b); Attorney General v Francis
[2007] 1 Qd R 396, 405 [39].
-- 10 of 11 --
11
should be ordered to be detained in custody for an indefinite term for control, care or
treatment.
-- 11 of 11 --
Official source: https://www.sclqld.org.au/caselaw/QSC/2020/227