A child murderer and rapist’s medical state could be tested in court as part of a review into the indefinite detention of a notorious inmate serving a life term.
Lloyd Clark Fletcher was the first person in Queensland to receive an indefinite sentence in 1998 – life without the possibility of parole.
Fletcher appeared via videolink in Brisbane Supreme Court on Tuesday wearing a black t-shirt for a periodic review of his indefinite detention.
He appeared sitting at a table in Wolston Correctional Centre on the city’s south-west edge, his head now bald and black beard mostly grey after about 25 years in custody.
Fletcher was jailed for life in 1998 for the murder of Brisbane schoolgirl Janet Phillips and was later handed an indefinite sentence for an attack on a teenager at Wynnum railway station.
The Brisbane Supreme Court previously refused to release Fletcher in 2022.
Justice David Boddice at the time ruled despite Fletcher’s age of 64 and terminal lung cancer diagnosis, he remained a dangerous threat to women.
Crown prosecutor Caroline Marco told Justice Peter Callaghan on Tuesday she was still waiting on a doctor’s report on Fletcher.
“Corrective services didn’t receive notice of the order for the production of the report … we have since spoken to them,” she said.
Ms Marco said the court hearing might be needed to cross-examine doctors about the contents of their reports into Fletcher.
“That’s only if challenges are made about any of the assertions in the evidence,” she said.
Fletcher, who represented himself, did not speak except to confirm he understood the proceedings and to briefly answer questions from Justice Callaghan.
“Last time we heard from you, you weren’t too interested in what was going on. Is that still the case?”Justice Callaghan said.
Fletcher said “yes”.
The court in 2022 heard Fletcher had refused to undertake sexual offending courses and psychiatric treatment.
At that time he had also rejected medical intervention and exploratory treatment for cancer.
The court on Tuesday was given no further update on Fletcher’s health or medical treatment status.
Justice Callaghan adjourned the review until February 19.
