‘Unsophisticated, but certainly persistent’ thief breaks into Barrier Reef Hotel three times in three weeks

A Cairns magistrate has described a repeat Cairns alcohol thief as “not sophisticated, but certainly persistent’ after he broke into the camera-monitored Barrier Reef Hotel to steal bottles of alcohol three times in three weeks.

A repeat Cairns alcohol thief described by a Cairns magistrate as “not sophisticated, but certainly persistent” broke into the Barrier Reef Hotel three times in three weeks to steal bottles of alcohol.

A repeat Cairns alcohol thief described by a Cairns magistrate as “not sophisticated, but certainly persistent” broke into the Barrier Reef Hotel three times in three weeks to steal bottles of alcohol and was captured each time on CCTV cameras.

Zacharia Ty Lappin, 26, broke into the hotel in the early hours of February 5 this year, stealing an armload of alcohol, then returning an hour later to again take “numerous” bottles of liquor, the court was told.

Police prosecutor Claudia Verwey said it was a crime he repeated a third time on February 20 at the same business.

Zacharia Ty Lappin broke into the Barrier Reef Hotel to steal alcohol three times in three weeks, including twice in one night.

Lappin also broke into Annabel’s Bakery in Cairns City, kicking the sliding door 15 times until it was so damaged he could open it, then fleeing when he went inside and realised bakers were there.

Magistrate Jakub Lodziak described Lappin, who has a nine-page criminal history, as a “recidivist property offender” who was “not sophisticated, but certainly persistent”.

He noted Lappin, who was said to be homeless, also committed some crimes in breach of bail.

Lappin pleaded guilty to 18 charges, including break and enter and attempted break and enter stealing and wilful damage.

Mr Lodziak sentenced him to two years and two months’ jail, and activated a previous suspended sentence of four months, setting his parole release date at October 19, 2025, taking into account the time he had already served on remand.

Originally published as ‘Unsophisticated, but certainly persistent’ thief breaks into Barrier Reef Hotel three times in three weeks