A Brisbane magistrate has criticised tap-and-go technology after a man went on a shopping spree when he found a debit card outside a supermarket. The court was told Colin Leslie Saunders used the no-PIN pay-pass facility to obtain goods illegally after finding the card at a Newmarket shopping centre. Wendy Cull, SM, said the pay-wave […]

A judge told the District Court today that a father of two took advantage of a vulnerable 14-year-old girl under his care for his own “sexual gratification”. Steven Andrew Brady, 36, pleaded guilty to charges of indecent treatment, unlawful carnal knowledge and maintaining a sexual relationship with a child under 16. Judge Richard Jones labelled […]

A police officer faces the end of his career after being assaulted while arresting a drunken man north of Brisbane last year, the District Court has been told. Judge Philip Robin QC said as an unintended consequence of the incident Sen. Const. Mark Zeller had seriously injured his knee while struggling with Brent James Mattingley, […]

A District Court judge has described a street robbery in Brisbane’s Forest Lake last year by a gang of juveniles as a disgraceful cowardly act. Judge Philip Robin, QC, told Brendan Scott Williams, now 18, he was part of a gang of six or seven drunken, rowdy teens roaming the streets. He told Williams: “You […]

An order that Broken Hill City Council pay $7 million to a mining company for overpaid rates was in the spotlight this week as a NSW parliamentary inquiry into state-wide land valuations began hearings. Head of the inquiry, state MP Matt Kean, told a media conference in Broken Hill on Wednesday the NSW Valuer-General did […]

Queensland’s new Domestic and Family Violence Protection Act includes a revised definition of domestic violence and changes to police powers. The new law came into effect this month. Ipswich Women’s Centre Against Domestic Violence program co-ordinator Rebecca Shearman said the 1989 Act was an important milestone but the new legislation took protection a step further. […]

Brisbane’s new multi-million dollar Supreme and District Court building is one Australia’s largest court buildings. Queensland Governor Penelope Wensley opened the Queen Elizabeth II Courts of Law at a private ceremony on Friday. Opened for public viewing in the afternoon, the $570 million building has 39 courtrooms over seven of its 19 floors. Level 10, […]

The Brisbane Supreme Court was told yesterday a man became involved with guns and drugs because he was impressed with the gangster lifestyle. Lee James Ralph, 26, pleaded guilty to multiple charges of unlawful possession of firearms and various dangerous drugs over the past three years. Defence counsel Mal Harrison said Ralph became involved with […]

An Australian magazine editor has declared he will break the law if recommended media reforms are introduced – but most leading editors around the country are unwilling to say whether they will take the same action. Editor of Quadrant magazine Keith Windschuttle said he would not cooperate with the statutory News Media Council recommended by […]

A Newsbytes street poll has found people support controversial swimmer Nick D’Arcy competing in the 200m butterfly at the London Olympics. D’Arcy will fulfil his childhood dream in just less than two months’ time when he swims for Australia at the Olympics. Nick D’Arcy was charged with assault after a brawl with former Commonwealth Games […]

Brisbane has seen some horrific murders, the worst the 1973 Whiskey Au Go Go nightclub firebombing that killed 15 patrons and staff. Then there’s the gruesome Patrick Mayne case from 1848, Karl Kast’s 1955 shooting spree, and the 1989 slaying of City Council worker Edward Baldock by self-confessed “vampire” Tracey Wigginton. The Queensland Law Society’s […]

A wide cross-section of the community attended St Stephen’s Cathedral yesterday for the funeral of former District Court Chief Judge Pat Shanahan who died last Sunday aged 82. Among the mourners were members of the judiciary, legal profession, Indigenous community, police and military, reflecting the many public-spirited activities of Judge Shanahan (pictured left) over the […]

A 20-year-old man was sent to jail for life this week by a Supreme Court judge in Rockhampton after pleading guilty to raping and murdering an elderly woman. The 82-year-old victim died in hospital a week after being attacked in her backyard by David Samuel Aubrey Ray. Ray pleaded guilty to two counts of rape […]

Any legal costs and damages related to the sacking of a council employee with a controversial husband will be paid by ratepayers, according to Lord Mayor Graham Quirk. Opposition leader Shayne Sutton said at this week’s Brisbane City Council meeting a former employee of Cr Fiona King was considering legal action for unfair dismissal. She […]

A new law to fine people on the spot for swearing will not be effective and may lead to a High Court case, according to legal academics. The Victorian Government has introduced legislation that will give police permanent power to give on-the-spot fines of up to $240 for those who use offensive language. Monash University […]