A Townsville man with a long history of violent sexual offending will be detained in a mental health facility after a Supreme Court judge ruled he posed an unacceptable risk to the community.
Court Orders Hospital Detention
Alan John Fisher, 55, appeared in the Supreme Court in Townsville this week where Justice David North handed down his decision. The judge ordered that Fisher be subject to a continuing detention order and be taken to a mental health hospital for care and control.
This order follows an application by the Attorney-General of Queensland. The court heard extensive evidence regarding Fisher's dangerousness and his complex mental health conditions.
A History of Violent Offences
Fisher's criminal history is marked by serious sexual and violent crimes. In 2005, he was convicted for a violent sexual assault on a woman in a Townsville park. He was sentenced to eight years in prison for that attack.
Prior to that, in 1994, Fisher was convicted of another sexual assault. The court was told his pattern of offending demonstrated a significant risk of serious harm to the community, particularly to women.
Justice North noted that expert psychiatric evidence was clear. The evidence stated that if Fisher were released without strict conditions, he would likely commit another serious sexual offence.
Supervision and Treatment Mandated
Under the order made by the Supreme Court, Alan Fisher will not be released into the community. Instead, he will be detained at the purpose-built High Security Inpatient Service at the Townsville University Hospital.
The order is not a life sentence but a continuing detention and supervision order. It requires Fisher to receive treatment and be monitored indefinitely. The court will review his case regularly to assess any change in risk.
This legal mechanism is designed for high-risk violent offenders who suffer from a mental illness. The primary goal is to protect the public while ensuring the offender receives necessary psychiatric care.
Justice North emphasised that the decision balanced community safety with Fisher's right to appropriate treatment for his mental health conditions. The order will remain in force until the court is satisfied the risk he poses has sufficiently diminished.
