Federal Immigration Minister Tony Burke has failed to comment on a petition seeking the deportation of a Sudanese-born man jailed for raping a 76-year-old woman a decade ago.
Christo Brown was sentenced in 2018 to eight years’ imprisonment after a jury found him guilty of breaking into the elderly woman’s Launceston home at night and raping her in her bedroom three years earlier.
He is eligible for release from October 31.
The petition supporting his deportation has reached more than 3200 signatures on the Change.org website.
Petition organiser Jessica Hoyle said a substantial number of women in the Launceston community had signed up because of concern about Brown’s coming release into the community.
“We must set an example that violent criminals will not be allowed to remain in our community, especially when there is a credible threat of recidivism,” Ms Hoyle wrote.
“To ensure the safety of our community, it is imperative that action is taken before it is too late. We cannot wait for another tragedy to unfold before making the right decision to protect our residents.”
A spokesman for Federal Immigration Minister Tony Burke declined to comment on the petition or on whether Brown could be deported.
Tasmanian Attorney-General Guy Barnett also declined to comment, saying it was a matter for the federal government.
Brown was also separately jailed in Queensland for sexually assaulting a woman while on bail for his Tasmanian crime in 2016.
He has also been convicted of arson and other violent offences.
Last month, prosecutors successfully applied for Brown to be declared a high-risk violent offender ahead of his possible release.
Under federal law, Australian citizens with dual nationality can be stripped of their citizenship and deported under certain circumstances.
Foreign-born permanent residents are eligible for deportation if they have been convicted and imprisoned for a term of over 12 months.
It was unclear at the time of publication whether Brown is eligible for deportation.
Supreme Court Chief Justice Chris Shanahan referenced a report on Brown’s behaviour behind bars last month when he ordered Brown to be declared a high-risk violent offender..
The behaviour and management report read: “These behaviours indicate a disregard for rules and a tendency to intimidate and make inappropriate advances towards female staff.”
The report went on to state that although Brown has made some gains and can be “polite and courteous”, he was still considered at a high risk of reoffending.
“Mr Brown still presents with many of the risk factors associated with sexual and violent offending, and he is at above-average risk of future sexual offending.
“Therefore, Mr Brown will require a high level of intervention and risk management in the community if he is to be released on parole.”
The judge indicated that Brown intended to move to Western Australia following his release from prison.
If you or someone you know has been affected by this story, you can call sexual assault support service Laurel House on 6431 9711.
Source: The Examiner
or archive link: