Constable A loses name suppression appeal

The police constable accused of shooting dead Waitara man Steven Wallace has lost his appeal against name suppression.

Justices Potter and Salmon in a written judgment today said William Keith Abbott could be named.

Mr Wallace's family are pursuing a private prosecution for murder against Abbott, who had until now been referred to by most news media as Constable A.

The High Court judges said they had reached their decision because of the importance of open reporting of court cases.

They said the risks to Constable Abbott did not outweigh the need to retain open court proceedings.

They said Mr Abbott's lawyer Susan Hughes had argued the case against her client was weak - but it was not their role to consider that.

The judges said today: "In the present instance the factors to be taken into account in the balance against open reporting, are the risk to appellant and his family, the risk to his future career and the presumption of innocence.

"The evidence indicates that the risk to family and career exists regardless of the prosecution and the verdict on the charge against the appellant.

"We consider that it remains relevant that appellant's action was that of a public officer in the course of his public duties in a public street. We do not consider that such circumstances can justify suppression of name."