A convicted Australian pedophile sought police protection after angry mobs drove him from his home and threatened his life, the local government said Thursday.
Dennis Ferguson was run out of the Queensland cities of Murgon and Ipswich, about 150 miles apart, in the past two days, The Australian reported.
Vigilante groups hounded Ferguson from two houses in 24 hours, throwing rocks on the roof, yelling, holding signs and banging on the sides of the houses. He said they had threatened to kill him and burn down his house.
Ferguson was released from prison in January 2003 after serving a 14-year sentence for raping three children. He was jailed again last year after failing to report to police that he had taken a job that could have given him access to children.
Acting Police Minister Robert Schwarten said the police were obligated to provide protection for anyone who feared for their safety. He criticized the mob for taking the law into their own hands.
"Vigilante behavior of any kind will not stop crime of any kind," he said, adding that Ferguson had to live somewhere and the police should be allowed to get on with their jobs.
© Copyright 2005 by United Press International
