Queensland Police say no children live in the area where convicted child molester Dennis Ferguson has been taken following his release from custody.
Ferguson, 60, was released last night after Brisbane District Court Judge Hugh Botting threw out child sex charges against him.
He had been due to stand trial next week for allegedly sexually assaulting a five-year-old girl at her home in Dalby, west of Brisbane, in November 2005.
Judge Botting granted a permanent stay on the proceedings based on evidence put before him by Ferguson's defence team that pre-trial publicity about his past convictions would make it difficult to find an objective jury.
He also ruled the crown case was "tenuous" as it relied on the evidence of a child who appeared to confuse Ferguson with another convicted child sex offender who had been with him at the time.
Queensland Attorney-General Kerry Shine will launch an appeal of Judge Botting's decision today.
"In Queensland I believe that accused people do receive a fair trial," Mr Shine said yesterday.
Queensland Police said late last night Ferguson had been taken to an address known to police.
"Local police have checked the address and confirmed there are no children in the immediate vicinity," police said in a statement.
"All appropriate action" will be taken by local police in this matter, police said.
Premier Anna Bligh is expected to speak publicly about the case later this morning.
