Sex attacker released

Attempted child rapist under supervision

A FAR North sex offender who tried to rape an eightyear-old child because he was drunk and “horny” has been released into the community despite being considered a serious danger to the community without supervision.

For the next 10 years he will be under a strict watch, which includes reporting, residential, curfew and drug and alcohol abstinence conditions.

The 23-year-old Cairns man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, spent three

and a half years in jail after pleading guilty to a number of charges including attempted rape and deprivation of liberty.

The girl was his cousin and they had both been staying at a home in a remote Cape York town when he took her into a bedroom and locked the door.

“The child was struggling to break free from his grip and started to scream for help,” Justice Helen Bowskill said in a recent judgment.

At the time he was five

times the legal driving limit with a blood-alcohol content of 0.256 per cent.

“He made extensive admissions to police including saying that he wanted to have sex with the child and if he had not been disturbed by others he would have gone further,” Justice Bowskill said.

Court papers revealed that he was drinking because he was angry and grieving over the death of his cousin’s brother and that he had felt “horny” and had “stupid

thoughts” before trying to rape the child.

While in jail the man has engaged in sexual offending programs and has demonstrated increasing insight into his behaviour. A psychologist report paints a picture of a man who was subject to neglect, pain, suffering, medical ill health and failing to thrive that would impair the formation of a meaningful attachment to others.

His juvenile criminal history began at 14 and includes a shocking assault on a

woman at Mareeba while she was jogging.

Justice Bowskill found he was an unacceptable risk of committing a serious sexual offence if released from jail without supervision. The Attorney-General believes the supervision order is enough community protection.

The offernder is not allowed to leave the state without permission and must tell Corrective Services changes such as name, address, employment and vehicle details within two business days.