Our Brisbane

Ferguson acquittal sparks calls for paedophile separation

6 March 2009 - 6:38pm | Source: ABC

Not guilty: Police have warned the public not to harass Dennis Ferguson. (Dave Hunt: AAP Image )

A child safety group wants the Queensland Government to keep known paedophiles away from each other, after today's acquittal of Dennis Ferguson on a child sex charge.

The 61-year-old convicted paedophile had been accused of molesting a five-year-old girl in her Dalby home in 2005.

Mr Ferguson had gone to the property with fellow convicted paedophile Allan Guy.

He faced a judge-only trial in Brisbane after a court ruled it would be difficult to find an impartial jury.

In handing down her verdict, chief judge Patsy Wolfe said while the Crown had failed to prove Mr Ferguson was the perpetrator, the evidence suggested the girl was molested and Guy was responsible.

Mr Ferguson broke down in the dock and buried his head in his arms.

Outside the court, Carol Ronken from the child safety group Bravehearts said known paedophiles like Mr Ferguson and Guy should be stopped from banding together.

"We're really concerned that he's been able to liaise and hang around other sex offenders," she said.

She also called on police to pursue Mr Guy.

Meanwhile, Queensland police have warned people not to harass Mr Ferguson, who has been run out of three Queensland communities in the past.

Deputy police commissioner Kathy Rynders says officers will monitor Mr Ferguson daily but it is unclear how long the surveillance will last.

She says Mr Ferguson will have to tell police his address.

His lawyer, Terry Fisher, says Mr Ferguson now wants to be left alone.

"It is my client's hope that the conclusion of this trial will afford him the opportunity to live without constant media harassment and public intrusion," he said.

'Children need protection'

Police officer Heather Steinberg, who is running as an independent candidate in the Brisbane seat of Redlands, says the public should be concerned about today's acquittal.

She says the Police Minister must ensure the community is safe.

"The children out there need to be protected," she said.

"[Police Minister] Judy Spence said to us as a community we need to teach our children how to protect themselves from this type of situation.

"What's the Government done about it? Absolutely nothing