Appeal over Aborigine rape ruling

Senior Australian lawyers are appealing against a judge’s decision to allow nine Aborigine males to walk free from court after admitting rape.

Queensland Attorney General Kerry Shine labelled the ruling unacceptable and “manifestly inadequate”.

The nine males were given non-custodial sentences for raping a 10-year-old girl in an Aboriginal settlement in 2005.

The judge provoked widespread anger by commenting that the girl had “probably agreed to have sex” with the gang.

‘Mystifying’ decision

Mr Shine said he did not see the relevance of Judge Sarah Bradley’s comments, made during sentencing in Cairns in October.

“Any child under the age of 12 cannot legally give consent to sexual intercourse, so the relevance of the judge’s remark mystifies me,” he said.

Six juveniles were placed on probation after pleading guilty to the rape of the girl, in the settlement of Aurukun in northern Queensland.

Three older men received suspended sentences, but none was sent to prison.

Australia’s newly-elected Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said he was horrified by the case and appalled at the judgement.

State officials have announced a review of all sex abuse verdicts in Aboriginal Queensland over the past two years.

Story from BBC NEWS

Published: 2007/12/11 11:25:20 GMT

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