Court told ex SA magistrate Bob Harrap ‘significantly exaggerated’ role in life of disabled daughter and should go to jail

An ex-magistrate who lied about his speeding fines has now “exaggerated” his role in his daughter’s life to try to avoid jail, a court has heard.

Bob Harrap outside court. Picture: Mark Brake.

Facing jail for lying about speeding fines, former magistrate Bob Harrap pleaded for mercy – saying he offended to keep his driver’s licence for the sake of his severely disabled daughter.

On Friday, the District Court heard the claim was a “significant exaggeration” proving that only immediate imprisonment could “personally deter” Harrap from offending again.

Prosecutor Peter Longson told the court Harrap’s eldest daughter, who cares for her younger sister, had filed a sworn affidavit disputing Harrap’s asserted motivation.

He said that, if Harrap would not take the witness stand and contest her evidence, the court could come to a single conclusion.

“It’s open for this court to find he has significantly exaggerated his actual involvement in the care of (his youngest daughter) in an effort to secure leniency,” he said.

“We submit that is a matter that can go to the issue of personal deterrence and could be reflected in Harrap’s ultimate sentence.”

Harrap has pleaded guilty to multiple corruption offences. Picture: Mark Brake.

Harrap, 61, has pleaded guilty to corruption offences over his attempts to avoid demerits for speeding in his government-issued car.

His former clerk, Melanie Jane Freeman, has admitted handing over her driver’s licence so Harrap could lie about who was driving, and says her then-boss “groomed” her to do so.

Harrap’s partner, SA Police prosecutor Abigail Foulkes, 48, admitted assisting him to deceive a court staffer as to who was driving his car on a different occasion.

Harrap has also pleaded guilty to offences committed alongside lawyer Catherine Jayne Moyse, 49, involving the hearing of a case.

In September, he told the court it would be “heartless” to jail him, claiming he offended because he needed to keep his licence for his youngest daughter’s sake.

On Monday, however, the court heard his eldest daughter disputed that claim, saying Harrap had “overstated” his relationship with his child.

His ex-wife, meanwhile, asked the court to grant her access to Harrap’s suppressed psychological reports, so she could read what he had said about their child.

On Friday, Craig Caldicott, for Harrap, said his client would not be giving evidence and asked the psychological report remain suppressed.

“One of the concerns my client had, at the time of the offending, was for his daughter,” he said.

“I am instructed that we maintain our earlier submission, but we do not wish to take it any further.”

Judge Paul Slattery said he would not release the report to Harrap’s ex-wife, and remanded him on continuing bail for sentencing in two weeks.