Qld: Aurukun appeals a "real prospect" of success: court

AAP General News (Australia)
02-19-2008
Qld: Aurukun appeals a "real prospect" of success: court

Queensland's Court of Appeal says appeals for tougher sentences to be handed to nine
males .. who gang raped a 10-year-old girl .. have a real prospect of success.

The three-member Court of Appeal panel's today published the reasons supporting their
decision last week.

The court granted Queensland's Attorney General KERRY SHINE an extension of time to
appeal the sentences given to the rapists.

Cairns-based District Court Judge SARAH BRADLEY drew national outrage for not imposing
prison sentences on any of the six juveniles and three adults .. who pleaded guilty to
the 2006 rape of the girl in the remote Cape York community of Aurukun.

In the 15-page decision the three judges .. led by Chief Justice PAUL DE JERSEY ..

indicate Judge BRADLEY may have made several legal errors in sentencing the men.

AAP RTV ews/pjo/af/tm

KEYWORD: GANG (BRISBANE)

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