Langlands lawyer blasts police over child sex charges

LAWYERS for rugby league immortal Graeme Langlands, who has been charged with child sex offences while living on the Gold Coast in the 1980s, have slammed the Queensland Police for bringing “weak” charges against the 76-yearold who suffers from severe de- mentia and has cognitive function.

Defence lawyer Jessica Burke said there was no chance Mr Langlands would be able to defend himself in court.

“He’s wheelchair bound, he’s heavily medicated over the course of each day and his dementia is well advanced and limited his cognitive abilities by the day,” she said.

“There is no prospect of him appearing (in court) at any point in time – it’s impossible.”

Outside court Ms Burke said in July, prior to charging Mr Langlands, police commissioned a report from his treating doctor which showed he “suffers from severe dementia decline and he has poor cognitive function and has no capacity to attend these proceedings or answer any questions”.

“With this knowledge the Queensland Police brought these proceedings against Mr Langlands likely aware that he would never be capable of responding to these allegations,” Ms Burke said.

“The consequences are catastrophic and irreparable.

“My client will never have his day in court ... and his name will forever be tarnished.”

Ms Burke requested the case be referred directly to the mental health court however the magistrate said that application would have to heard at a future hearing on December 6.