SA Attorney-General in bid to thwart pedophile's release

FIRST ON 7: South Australian Attorney-General John Rau will don wig and gown and front the Supreme Court next week in a bid to thwart the release of a notorious serial pedophile.

It is believed to be the first time the state’s top law officer has personally intervened in a prisoner’s release for freedom.

Mark Marshall was jailed indefinitely in 2009 for child sex crimes.

He has a 27-year history of underage sex offending, and 7News understands he is considered to be the worst of the worst – unable or unwilling to control himself.

He is now seeking release from prison.

Mental Health experts have reported his rehabilitation is as good as it is going to get, and it is a question of release him now or never.

In another legal first in the case a fortnight ago, Victim’s Rights Commissioner Michael O’Connell was allowed to intervene, and pleaded for Marshall to stay behind bars.

But Justice Trish Kelly indicated she was considering allowing Marshall’s release, subject to some very stringent conditions.

7News understands Attorney-General John Rau wants to explain to Justice Kelly what the government meant when it introduced laws in December, requiring a court to make public safety the paramount consideration in cases such as Marshall’s.