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Appeal over Aborigine rape ruling Appeal over Aborigine rape ruling
(about 3 hours later)
Senior Australian lawyers are appealing against a judge's decision to allow nine Aborigine males to walk free from court after admitting rape.Senior Australian lawyers are appealing against a judge's decision to allow nine Aborigine males to walk free from court after admitting rape.
Queensland Attorney General Kerry Shine labelled the ruling unacceptable and "manifestly inadequate".Queensland Attorney General Kerry Shine labelled the ruling unacceptable and "manifestly inadequate".
The nine males were given non-custodial sentences for raping a 10-year-old girl in an Aboriginal settlement in 2005.The nine males were given non-custodial sentences for raping a 10-year-old girl in an Aboriginal settlement in 2005.
The judge provoked widespread anger by commenting that the girl had "probably agreed to have sex" with the gang.The judge provoked widespread anger by commenting that the girl had "probably agreed to have sex" with the gang.
'Mystifying' decision'Mystifying' decision
Mr Shine said he did not see the relevance of Judge Sarah Bradley's comments, made during sentencing in Cairns in October.Mr Shine said he did not see the relevance of Judge Sarah Bradley's comments, made during sentencing in Cairns in October.
It's just outrageous that in 2007 in Australia we can have something like this happen Australian reaction
"Any child under the age of 12 cannot legally give consent to sexual intercourse, so the relevance of the judge's remark mystifies me," he said."Any child under the age of 12 cannot legally give consent to sexual intercourse, so the relevance of the judge's remark mystifies me," he said.
Six juveniles were placed on probation after pleading guilty to the rape of the girl, in the settlement of Aurukun in northern Queensland.Six juveniles were placed on probation after pleading guilty to the rape of the girl, in the settlement of Aurukun in northern Queensland.
Three older men received suspended sentences, but none was sent to prison.Three older men received suspended sentences, but none was sent to prison.
Australia's newly-elected Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said he was horrified by the case and appalled at the judgement.Australia's newly-elected Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said he was horrified by the case and appalled at the judgement.
State officials have announced a review of all sex abuse verdicts in Aboriginal Queensland over the past two years.State officials have announced a review of all sex abuse verdicts in Aboriginal Queensland over the past two years.