Ferguson Appeal Upheld

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Kerry Shine said he welcomes today’s Court of Appeal decision in the Ferguson case.

The District Court had previously issued a permanent stay on the charges against convicted paedophile Dennis Raymond Ferguson on the grounds that Mr Ferguson could not receive a fair trial in Queensland.

This was the basis for the Attorney-General's appeal and it was supported by the court of appeal in their reasoning.

“Today the Court of Appeal has confirmed that in Queensland an accused person can receive a fair trial with a properly directed jury, that juries can arrive at intelligent decisions on the evidence put before them and only the evidence put before them”, Mr Shine said.

The court’s decision reflects the strength of the Queensland justice system and the maturity of the Queensland people in addressing complex and emotional cases such as this.”

“Dennis Ferguson will now stand trial in the District Court and to ensure the integrity of the process I cannot comment further on the proceedings.”

Media Contact: Kate Lennox 3224 7481 or 0421127869