QLD:Rapist should remain in jail: experts

AAP General News (Australia)
08-08-2011
QLD:Rapist should remain in jail: experts

By Christine Flatley

BRISBANE, Aug 8 AAP - Mental health experts have recommended notorious serial rapist
and murderer Lloyd Clark Fletcher remain in jail, a court has heard.

Fletcher in 1998 was the first person in Queensland to receive an indefinite sentence
- life without the possibility of parole.

Over a 20-year period he attacked at least four women and murdered one.

Fletcher was jailed for life in 1998 for the murder of Brisbane schoolgirl Janet Phillips,
but he was also sentenced some months later to an indefinite sentence for an attack on
a teenager at Wynnum railway station.

Fletcher appeared in the Supreme Court in Brisbane on Monday for the first review of
his indefinite sentence, which can only be lifted by order of a judge.

The review will decide whether Fletcher remains a danger to the community or whether
he can apply for parole.

Fletcher, who represented himself, made no submissions on Monday, but he has previously
indicated he wants to stay in jail.

Deborah Holliday, who appeared for the crown, asked Justice Debbie Mullins to keep
Fletcher in custody until his next compulsory sentence review in two years' time.

Ms Holliday said two mental health experts had assessed Fletcher and their reports
recommended he undertake a sexual offender's course before he be allowed back in the community.

"Your Honour would have little difficulty in concluding that the respondent does remain
a serious danger to the community," she said.

"Both reports clearly state that the respondent essentially remains untreated and he
does remain a high risk of reoffending."

Justice Mullins has adjourned the matter until Thursday so she can read the reports
before making a decision.

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KEYWORD: FLETCHER

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