WA: Govt set to fight legal bid by rapist to secure parole

AAP General News (Australia)
08-29-2004
WA: Govt set to fight legal bid by rapist to secure parole

By Tim Clarke

PERTH, Aug 29 AAP - The West Australian government is facing a court battle over its
decision not to grant parole to one of the state's most notorious sex offenders.

Paul Stephen Keating, regarded as one of WA's worst serial rapists, has initiated legal
proceedings against Attorney-General Jim McGinty for refusing to release him from prison
after 29 years, despite a parole board recommendation he gradually be reintroduced into
society.

After deciding to enforce his right to keep Keating in detention under his indefinite
sentence, Mr McGinty says the government will also vigorously defend legal action due
to be heard in WA's Supreme Court.

"If he is successful, this will have profound ramifications on the whole justice system
and some of the worst criminals would find their way back on the streets when they should
be behind bars," Mr McGinty told Perth's Sunday Times newspaper.

"Mr Keating's appalling criminal behaviour while in prison makes it hard to see why
he would ever be given the benefit of parole."

After committing his first rape at the age of 17, Keating was subsequently convicted
of sexual assaults on two female prison staff while in jail.

First, a prison psychologist was attacked in 1986 and then a female guard was assaulted in 1992.

Keating also raped a woman while on overnight work release in 1979, and sexually assaulted
two prostitutes after escaping jail in 1984.

Despite his record, the WA parole board had recommended a release program that would
see Keating moved to the low-security Karnet Prison Farm before reentering the community.

But Mr McGinty refused to sanction the board's decision, a move Keating's lawyers will challenge.

In an affidavit of Keating's quoted in the newspaper, the 43-year-old said he was a
reformed character.

"I am in my 29th consecutive year of incarceration and I believe I am the state's longest-serving
prisoner," Keating said.

"I have not offended for the last 12 years and I am now a model prisoner. I have matured
both emotionally and mentally and I am successfully pursuing my tertiary studies."

Keating's case, which will begin with preliminary hearings in the court tomorrow, will
claim he was denied natural justice because the parole board's recommendation was not
adhered to.

AAP tc/cat/tnfT

KEYWORD: KEATING

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