Free aid may be given at inquest

A COMMUNITY legal firm which offers free help to disadvantaged people is considering whether to represent the dead driver involved in the Ravenshoe cafe blast at the upcoming inquest.

Brian Scutt died last month, just over four years after he crashed his ute into the rear of the Serves You Right cafe and sparked an explosion which left two people dead and 19 injured.

Last year he was found mentally unfit to face criminal charges.

During a pre-inquest hearing in the Cairns Coroners Court yesterday, the court was told the Public Trustee had been managing Mr Scutt’s affairs prior to his death and had submitted a Legal Aid application to represent him.

But Counsel assisting Coroner Nerida Wilson, Joseph Crawfoot, said the application had never been processed and Legal Aid could not attach a grant of aid to a dead person.

The Public Trustee has withdrawn from the matter, but Brisbane-based firm Caxton Legal Centre, which according to its website provides “free legal help for people who are disadvantaged or on a low income”, appeared.

The court was told the centre were yet to confirm whether to represent Mr Scutt, but Ms Wilson asked that the centre be provided with a full brief of evidence.

The inquest was originally due to be held in July, but was delayed until February next year due to issues surrounding Mr Scutt’s representation and the death of another key witness, former Ravenshoe GP Dr Ken Connolly.

Mr Crawfoot said the death of both men was not likely to affect the progression of the inquest as the “broader issue” was around a doctor’s obligation to report medical conditions to the Department of Transport and Main Roads.

“That is the broader issue that goes beyond the individual evidence of either Dr Connolly or Mr Scutt,” he said.