Published Thursday, 12 July, 2007 at 07:29 PM
Minister for Police and Corrective Services
The Honourable Judy Spence
ELECTRONIC MONITORING CATCHES TWO SEX OFFENDERS
The Beattie Government’s electronic monitoring of sex offenders has proven to be a success with two sex offenders arrested for allegedly breaching their supervision orders under the Dangerous Prisoners (Sexual Offenders) Act.
“Trevor Toms, who wears an electronic monitoring device under a supervision order imposed by the Supreme Court, and Robert Fardon were both arrested today,” Ms Spence said.
“Queensland Corrective Services was alerted to the breach when Toms’ electronic monitoring device alerted a supervising officer he was not at his residence at his curfew time of 10PM on Wednesday 11 July.
“A phone call was made to his house and when he did not answer surveillance officers were sent to check on him.”
Ms Spence said both Toms and Fardon were later seen in a car heading back to Toms’ house at around 11:20PM and were then questioned by surveillance officers.
“Queensland Corrective Services applied for warrants in the Magistrates Court today and both men were arrested and are being held in police custody.
“An application will be made to the Supreme Court for both men to be remanded in custody until their alleged breaches are determined.
“Toms has been charged with failing to abstain from the consumption of alcohol for the duration of this order; failing to abstain from use of illicit drugs ; and failing to comply with the 10 PM to 6 AM curfew.
“Fardon has been charged with breaches including failing to abstain from violations of the law; and failing to respond truthfully to enquiries by the supervising Corrective Services Officer about his whereabouts and movements generally.”
Ms Spence said the incident confirms her confidence in the electronic monitoring system which was introduced earlier this year.
“This sends a serious message to sex offenders subject to electronic monitoring that any breach of their supervision order will be detected and they will be dealt with.”
“The Beattie Government has introduced legislation into parliament which will soon make it an criminal offence to breach a supervision order under DPSOA.
“This will provide a deterrent to any offender who thinks about breaching the conditions of their supervision order,” Ms Spence said.
Media Contact: Troy Davies 3239 6218, 0439 673 287
“Trevor Toms, who wears an electronic monitoring device under a supervision order imposed by the Supreme Court, and Robert Fardon were both arrested today,” Ms Spence said.
“Queensland Corrective Services was alerted to the breach when Toms’ electronic monitoring device alerted a supervising officer he was not at his residence at his curfew time of 10PM on Wednesday 11 July.
“A phone call was made to his house and when he did not answer surveillance officers were sent to check on him.”
Ms Spence said both Toms and Fardon were later seen in a car heading back to Toms’ house at around 11:20PM and were then questioned by surveillance officers.
“Queensland Corrective Services applied for warrants in the Magistrates Court today and both men were arrested and are being held in police custody.
“An application will be made to the Supreme Court for both men to be remanded in custody until their alleged breaches are determined.
“Toms has been charged with failing to abstain from the consumption of alcohol for the duration of this order; failing to abstain from use of illicit drugs ; and failing to comply with the 10 PM to 6 AM curfew.
“Fardon has been charged with breaches including failing to abstain from violations of the law; and failing to respond truthfully to enquiries by the supervising Corrective Services Officer about his whereabouts and movements generally.”
Ms Spence said the incident confirms her confidence in the electronic monitoring system which was introduced earlier this year.
“This sends a serious message to sex offenders subject to electronic monitoring that any breach of their supervision order will be detected and they will be dealt with.”
“The Beattie Government has introduced legislation into parliament which will soon make it an criminal offence to breach a supervision order under DPSOA.
“This will provide a deterrent to any offender who thinks about breaching the conditions of their supervision order,” Ms Spence said.
Media Contact: Troy Davies 3239 6218, 0439 673 287